Fiat Qubo

Quirky but likeable Qubo

Born out of the Chrysler/Fiat liaison the Fiat Qubo has been eagerly awaited for some time now by faithful Fiat customers, fans and indeed the global motoring press … an event that should prove a winner from this stylish newcomer.

At the press ride-and-drive earlier this week we were able to sample the Qubo – in petrol and turbodiesel form – by virtue of this particular website leaning perhaps more favouraby towards the diesel offering, most facts and figures quoted will apply to the TD model.

The new Qubo may initially seem a little quirky for some tastes but considering its size it certainly packs quite a punch – and I’m not just talking about the fitment of one of the best 1.3-litre turbodiesel powerplants around. Fiat reckon on a 1 000km tank range offering, and I don’t doubt their claim for one minute as the fuel gauge barely moved on the ±200 km round trip in and around the Mother City here in South Africa.

Yes, it would very possibly make a superb “mom’s taxi” but the Qubo is far more than the sum of its parts. Empty nesters and maybe those who like to go on road trips – as I do – I guarantee you couldn’t do it cheaper – unless you happen to fly!

The Qubo is super comfy for the whole family, can carry a huge amount of gear – in fact, Fiat reckon the boot measures 330 litres (up to the height of the boot panel) and 650 litres if measured to the roof. With the rear seats removed and the front passenger seat folded down to the floor, the load capacity amounts to a best-in-class 2 500 litres, and a boot capable of holding objects nearly 2.5 metres in length, which, in comparison to the vehicle’s total length of 3.9 metres represents a ratio that is unmatched by the competition.

Talking about competitors, Fiat perceive there’s the Toyota Avanza, the Nissan Livina, Honda’s Jazz and Kia’s Soul – but none can match the Qubo’s extremely high specification level and ticket price – by any stretch of the imagination.

South African “anoraks” will want to know more about the mechanics of the car, well, it’s available with two Euro 4 engine derivatives: the lively 1.3, Multijet turbo-diesel engine and the reliable 1.4, petrol offering. That turbodiesel motor produces 55 kW at 4 000 rpm and offer hefty torque figures of 190 Nm at 1 750 rpm, guaranteeing satisfying performance along with the best consumption figures in its class. Maximum speed is 155 km/h and in the combined driving cycle it will return 4.6 l/100 km, according to the manufacturer.

Safety equipment includes ABS complete with EBD, 3-point seat belts with tensioners and load limiters, power steering, and front and side airbags. Available in 10 vibrant colours including Ambient White, Funky Orange, Line Blue and Breakcore Red, as well as six metallic; Minimal Grey, Hillbilly Azure, Flamenco Red, Disco Green, Cool Jazz Blue and Rockabilly Black.

• Fiat’s new Qubo is available ex-stock from any one of the 36 Fiat dealerships countrywide and, as with all Fiat Group products, comes standard with a 3 year/100 000km full maintenance plan and warranty for peace-of-mind driving. The Qubo ticket price is  R177 990 for the 1.4-litre petrol version, and R199 990 for the 1.3-litre diesel variant, including VAT and CO2 tax. Servicing is only required at 30 000 km intervals.