The Civic Loses it's Charm

2012 Honda Civic EX Sedan

I wouldn't have one of these in a million years, and apparently, neither would Consumer Reports. For the last couple of years, the Civic has always been a must buy for readers of the Consumer Reports, but this year, it seems that the editor wants their readers to buy a Kia Forte, a Ford Focus, a Chevy Cruze, a Fiat 500, a Nissan GT-R; pretty much any car other than this. How bad has this car become? Well, the last one which looked decent received a score of 78. This new one with it's weird curves and crooked lines took its score down 17 notches to a disappointing 61, casting it out of the Consumer Reports recommended cars list along with the Toyota Corolla, Nissan Sentra, and Mazda 3. Unfortunately, they're not gonna get any luck with me. It's by far the ugliest Civic I've ever seen. Honestly, they should've left the design alone. It looked better before this horrid redo. So, if you've bought a new Civic, shame on you! You could've done much better with an older one. Or better yet, if you want a good looking, fuel efficient, cheap compact car, I'd get either a Ford Focus, Ford Fiesta, or a Fiat 500. Those 3 are the best looking small cars in this day and age. Honda's really going down a steep hill with their failures. First it was the CR-V, now, it's this. If only the S2000 came back.

Last Sunday on Top Gear...

2012 Aston Martin Virage

James refines the Sports Car in the new Aston Martin....

Jeremy Clarkson and Bernie Ecclestone

...Jezza attempts to impress Master Ecclestone in the DS3 Racing Hatch...

2011 Fiat 500C Abarth

...Richard Squeals like a mouse in the Fiat 500C Abarth...

Ross Noble

...and Ross Noble tries to make the Reasonably Priced Car a bit funny. So far, I can't find all parts to the episode, but when I do find it, I'll upload it right away!

Update: I Found It!!

Even More Top Gear Madness

Captain Slow and the Aston Martin Virage Coupe

The new series of Top Gear is almost here and, to whet your appetite even more, another trailer has been released. It features James May practicing drifting in the all-new Aston Martin Virage. Also, we see Clarkson make an absolute humiliation of the Ferrari 458 Italia and Lewis Hamilton in the Atom Smasher, the McLaren MP4-12C. Then, we see Clarkson and Hammond do some car forensics on an old Mercedes-Benz CL600 and BMW 850i. But wait! There's more. Captain slow executes a speed run in the new ProDrive Mini Countryman WRC Rally Car, Clarkson and Hammond find the perfect used sports car, and Hammond squeals like a mouse when driving at 100 MPH at the Monaco Grand Prix circuit in his Fiat 500 Abarth Convertible. So, basically, all of the usual has returned. This should be exciting. The series begins this Sunday on BBC HD and BBC 2.

More Top Gear Madness

Top Gear

So, a brief teaser was released today from BBC 2 showcasing some of the nonsense those three petrolheads have been up to for the new season of Top Gear. First, we see Jezza taking the possible Atom Smasher, the MP4-12C, for a spin. Then, Captain Slow aides as a co-driver for the new Mini Countryman WRC rally car. Also, Jezza's new bestfriend, Olympic Gold-medalist Amy Williams returns for a car vs. man challenge. We also see Jezza and Hamster embarrasing themselves in a used Porsche Boxster in the countryside. But, wait. There's more. Hamster decides to do some damage in a supposed "family tank", and the three race on the Monaco Grand Prix circuit in a Citroën DS3 Racing, Renaultsport Clio, and a Fiat 500 Abarth Essesse along side F1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone. This all sounds unbelievably exciting. Take a look at the trailer for yourself and be here June 26 when the series 17 premieres on BBC HD and BBC 2.

A Purse with 4 Wheels

2011 Fiat 500 by Gucci

Sorry guys! This post is strictly for the ladies. So girls, how's about cruising around town driving your very own handbag? Now you might think this is crazy, but Fiat and Gucci have managed to make this possible. This special 500 Gucci Edition features all the luxurious amenities that you have in your Gucci handbag: luxurious Italian leather, sexy good looks, and pure Italian presence.  Plus, it's available in colors that will match your handbag. That's gotta be good, right? For the first time ever, you can look fabulous behind the wheel of your own handbag small car, of which you can store you phone in. Hopefully, you'll put it in a place you'll remember.

2011 Fiat Idea Complete Overview With Pictures

The Fiat Idea is a mini MPV built by the Italian manufacturer Fiat since 2003. The car is based on the Project 188 platform, originally used for the second-generation Fiat Punto. The Idea is noted for its versatile interior, which includes sliding and folding rear seats. The Idea was sold in the UK until Summer 2007 due to poor sales
Since its launching in 2005, Fiat Idea has already been a success. With its original lines, versatility and wide interior space, it balanced the dimensions of compact vehicle with the functionalities of a passenger automobile, bringing in diverse novelties to the segment.

Technology was an important aspect in this formula. Skydome sunroof, brakes with ABS, airbags, hands-free with Bluetooth™, rain, parking and twilight sensors, among others, captivated the customers. Besides this, it was the only model of its segment to offer two Flex engine configurations.

In the following year, Fiat leveraged the automobile's concept to offer it in the Adventure version. Fiat Idea Adventure was the country's first minivan with a light off-road appeal: it united comfort and interior space of an urban vehicle to style and robustness of an off-road. This in a complete automobile, with an extensive list of standard items.

In 2008, another important advancement: Fiat Idea Adventure had received the differential block, the Locker. Fiat was the first manufacturer in the world to offer a vehicle with a differential block in a front-wheel drive automobile. Today, the entire Adventure family has available this important resource, which helps the vehicle to face difficult road conditions. One year later, the version received the Dualogic® Automatic transmission option, to make driving even more pleasurable.

Now, the evolution of Fiat Idea arrives into the market. More elegant, more performance and more complete, it has all attributes to pursue its course of success.

2011 Fiat Idea Front view
2011 Fiat Idea Back
2011 Fiat Idea Back view
Fiat Idea is offered with three engine configurations: Fire 1.4 8V Flex and the new E.torQ 1.6 16V and 1.8 16V, both Flex. The 1.4 engine is the same one that equips the current Fiat Idea ELX, recognized for balancing good performance with fuel economy.

Now the new E.torQ engines offer high efficiency, with excellent torque at low revolutions, without sacrificing consumption. They are manufactured at the most modern plant of FPT - Powertrain Technologies in Campo Largo, Paraná.

The E.torQ engines are compact and light. They are also environmentally friendly, work silently and with low emission levels, adapted to the most recent laws.

2011 Fiat Idea Picture
2011 Fiat Idea Black
2011 Fiat Idea Interior
2011 Fiat Idea Inside view
2011 Fiat Idea Seats