Fiat aims Qubo squarely at young

Jan 19 2009 Steve Hughes

FIAT says it has created a completely new car segment with its innovative and distinctive-looking Qubo model, which is aimed primarily at young families.

Just a few short years ago these are precisely the trendy folk who would not have been seen in such a van-like vehicle as the boxy Qubo, which has since been made acceptable by the arrival of a host of similar looking offerings.

Technically the Qubo is not based on a van because it shares its platform with the Grande Punto, although it is a dead ringer for the Fiorino with windows in the sides and rear.

It has the same twin sliding rear side doors although at the back there is a huge top-hinged tailgate instead of the split folding doors of the Fiorino.

The sheer size of the tailgate, which covers the entire rear end means that the vehicle can not be reversed too close to another vehicle or a wall because it requires plenty of space for the door to open up over.

Once it does, the door extends horizontally from the back of the vehicle for several feet at a height in excess of six feet to create a protected standing area for picnics or a sitting area on the luggage floor as a viewing platform.

Unfortunately the rear wiper is geared for left hand drive, which means that the nearside is swept clean whilst the all-important driver's side to view oncoming overtaking vehicles is untouched.

The key to the Qubo's appeal will be the practicality and versatility that make it a more attractive proposition than a conventional car or a more expensive crossover or small SUV.

It costs from £9,-50 to £12,350 and comes with engines of 1.4 litres in the case of the lack-lustre petrol version and 1.3-litres for the more appropriate diesel with enhanced pulling power.

With the accent very squarely upon versatility, there are sliding doors on both sides to give easy access to the split-folding rear seats that can be tumbled forward to double the cargo area to 650 litres or to increase it to a van-like 2,500 litres by removing the seats completely.

This makes the Qubo more than capable of carrying the assorted paraphernalia associated with the lifestyle activities in which its owners are expected to indulge.

In addition to the vast potential of the rear cargo area there are optional cycle carriers, a ski rack for three or four pairs and a windsurf carrier plus roof bars and in due course there will be a chunky all-terrain vehicle that will look the part although in reality it will not get a 4x4 drive system.

Elsewhere inside the vehicle there are cubby holes, cup holders and lidded boxes in every orifice and the glove box has been specifically designed to accommodate a laptop.

One omission for this type of family-orientated vehicle is air conditioning in the case of the entry-level Active versions, although they do have electric front windows and a hands-free communications system.

Both the Active and Dynamique models have side airbags, three-point seatbelts and electronic brakeforce distribution whilst the latter also gains air-con, heated electric door mirrors, roof bars and 16-inch alloy wheels.

On the road the Qubo experience is very much a tale of two sittings, depending upon whether you are positioned behind the petrol or diesel engine.

Each sends it power to the front wheels via a five speed manual transmission and in the case of the petrol model there is an output of 173bhp with economy of 32mpg and a CO2 figure of 165g/km.

The petrol model is slightly quicker than the diesel to 60mph and each has a 95mph top speed.

However, that is where any similarity between them ends and on every other count the diesel wins decisively.

The torque, or pulling power of the petrol model is 118lb/ft at an engine speed of 2,600rpm in comparison to 190lb/ft at a less frenetic 1,750rpm in the case of the diesel model, which feels more relaxed.

The oil-burner's fuel economy is virtually 50mpg, which means that for every gallon that is put into the tank the vehicle will travel for almost 20 more miles and not only that - it has a tax-friendly CO2 figure of just 119g/km in comparison to 165g/km for the petrol model.

Another advantage of the 1.3-litre 16-valve MultiJet diesel version is that it can be coupled to Fiat's six-speed Dualogic transmission system that can be operated as a fully automatic or clutchless manual, which is a labour-saving boon in urban traffic.

Quite how the Qubo is claiming to create a completely new class of vehicle is somewhat misleading as there are already several midi-MPV models such as the Nissan Note and Renault Modus, although of course the Qubo does have two sliding rear doors.

Whilst there is no denying the ultimate practicality for those who need it, the unusual appearance may not be to everyone's taste, which is accentuated by the choice of nine vivid colours to make the Qubo appear cool and hip, including "funky green and vibrant orange''.