Stylish But A Tad Pricey

Sydney Morning Herald

Saturday June 7, 2008

The testers Joshua Dowling and Jaedene Hudson.

The car Fiat Ritmo.

The price From $29,990.

Vital statistics 1.4-litre turbo petrol (110kW, 206Nm) and 1.9-litre turbo diesel (110kW, 305Nm). Consumption: 7.1 litres/100km (petrol), 5.6L/100km (diesel).

HE This is Fiat's new Volkswagen Golf competitor. It's called the Bravo in Italy but Mazda owns the rights to that car name in Australia (it used to have a ute with that badge) so the Australian distributor dusted off an old Fiat name from the 1970s. Ritmo apparently is the Italian word for rhythm.

SHE The name sounds weird to me but I guess we'll get used to it. Heaps of cars have strange names. Remember when the Toyota Kluger came out, there was an uproar. It's selling like crazy now. Same goes for Toyota's switch from Echo to Yaris.

HE I suppose the name won't matter that much but it is hard to explain to people what it is and how it fits in the market.

SHE I explained to my fiance's dad that it was a Corolla-sized car. And he said, "Oh, like a Volkswagen Golf." He then asked how much it was and, when I told him the price started at $30,000, he said, "Why would you buy that over a Golf?"

HE So would you?

SHE No. I think the Golf's diesel engine is more refined. The Golf cabin feels roomier and has a more upmarket feel. And the Golf range starts at $25,490 and the diesel starts at $27,990.

HE I prefer the styling of the Fiat. It has sleeker proportions and I like the cabin materials used. The interior was done by the same person who worked on the latest Maseratis, as you can see with the faux carbon-fibre pattern on the dash and the fine-grain, sharkskin-style material on the window ledge on the doors.

SHE I agree with you on the styling but it's a lot of extra money for a few fancy materials. And I didn't think the diesel was that special. The performance is there but it's noisier than the Golf. It sounds a bit like a truck.

HE I drove the turbo petrol the week before and thought it was a tad sluggish - until I found the power boost button. Once I hit that, it was more like a hottish hatch. I thought it was a clever touch: when you're on the freeway or want to save fuel, you leave it in normal mode and when you want to have some fun you can flick the switch, so to speak.

SHE That's like the clever steering modes the Ritmo has. When you are battling the city traffic or the car park you can push a button and it makes the steering lighter so you can get in and out of tight spots easily. Then just press the button again when travelling at higher speeds and it gives the steering a heavier feel.

HE So I take it you wouldn't buy one of these?

SHE Probably not. I like the different styling but I just think it's overpriced. How about you?

HE It's one of those cars that makes better sense as a sports model. I think the base model is too dear but the sporty turbo petrol, at about $34,000, will find some appeal among those looking for something a little less expensive than a Golf GTI, but with only a little less performance.

© 2008 Sydney Morning Herald

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