I looked up the European FIAT model range and saw that there aren’t many differences in the trims or anything like that. All FIAT models in South America are creations with their own design, engineering and production. Since the 1970s, the range has even had exclusive engines and platforms, such as the Fiasa engine designed by Aurelio Lampredi. Occasionally, they even call in Alfa Romeo designers, as in the Fiat Cronos sedan and the Fiat Argo hatchback.

What makes me love FIAT is its avant-garde spirit. They were the only automaker to have the audacity to put a high-power five-cylinder turbocharged engine in a family sedan (Fiat Tempra) or wagon (Fiat Marea). The engine in question was a Pratola Serra of Alfa Romeo origin with the most beautiful sound ever seen here. It sounds like an orchestra.
They were the first to bring cars with turbochargers, electronic injection, four-wheel drive, a locking differential, some comfort items and they usually brought Alfa Romeo models with changed emblems. They have an extra refinement and charm.

I live in a country (Brazil) where Fiat is the company that sells the most cars. The issue of reliability is known among mechanics: it doesn’t tend to break very often, but if it does, it’s very cheap and quick to fix. They have a very general model line, with city cars, subcompacts, hatchbacks and medium sedans, ute pickups, trucks, crossover SUVs or classic SUVs and minivans. They just don’t sell wagons and they all use the same mechanics, at most resized to increase displacement or adapt the gearbox. The discounts they make for legal entities, fleet owners and the weekly stock burns for individuals are absurd. They are the cheapest models in all categories.

A common joke is that you can even find FIAT car parts in bakeries along with pasteurized milk and bread…

They can also buy V-engined cars. For example, Alfa Romeo sells the Giulia Quadrifoglio, which has a V6 engine, with 3 liters of displacement, of Ferrari origin with biturbo, generating some 500hp and 620Nm of torque. Mercedes Benz-AMG and BMW’s M division also make models with biturbo V8s, which are insane.

The point is that a turbocharged four-cylinder can generate much more power and torque than an aspirated V8, but with much less fuel consumption. They manage to get 400hp out of a Volkswagen Golf with a 1.9 TDI diesel engine by modifying the turbine and have city car consumption. Why would a European spend so much if he can get the same performance for less? The comfort and construction quality are crap, but the main point of a sports car like this isn’t to show off or be luxurious, it’s to break the competitor’s ego…

Man, I don’t know, but the Ford Fiesta is still on sale on Ford’s European websites. Depending on the case, you can even order a diesel model. The Ford Mondeo only appears on the Chinese website. Ford has practically moved its design and engineering centers there.

Ford still makes these models, but in Europe. The new range of compacts and subcompacts is a dream.

The point is that the American public in general doesn’t want small, economical cars, they don’t sell enough. They want huge, gigantic cars with absurd fuel waste just because they want to compensate for something with the size of the car and because a V6 or V8 engine makes a good noise. That’s what sells, although it’s a rather irrational and even primitive choice.

In Europe, Mitsubishi’s model line-up is somewhat more diverse, the point being that they’re doing badge engineering on successful Renault models. The Mitsubishi Colt is a Renault Clio with a changed badge. I wouldn’t have such a problem with it if they brought out the Clio RS as a Mitsubishi model because that car is a little French rocket. Jesus Christ, besides, the design of that vehicle is impeccable, it’s a hoot.

There’s a version of the Clio RS where they put a V6 engine like the ones used in Formula 1 in the rear of the vehicle and it still had rear-wheel drive. Of course, only two seats were available for the driver and one passenger, but that was a detail.