Beijing 2012: Fiat Viaggio Is A Chinese-Style Dodge Dart

When is a Dart not a Dart? When it’s sold in the Chinese market as the Fiat Viaggio. Yes, this sedan shares almost all of its mechanical parts with the 2013 Dodge Dart sedan sold in America, but wears unique sheetmetal designed to lure in Chinese buyers. In some ways, seeing the Fiat Viaggio in person is a bit anticlimactic. Although the rounded chrome grille, subtly flared trunklid, and abundance of chrome trim help the Fiat Viaggio stand apart from the Dodge Dart, there’s not a huge difference between the models. Rather than a unique Chinese car, we think the Viaggio just looks like a Dodge with a new grille and different lights. The Viaggio is still a very attractive car, however, and looks very smart under the bright lights of the auto show stand. It didn’t appear to be getting much attention from the public; there were more people checking out the Seat Ibiza and Volkswagen Passat in the adjacent hall. Power comes from a turbocharged 1.4-liter T-Jet inline-four engine in 120-hp and 150-hp flavors. Buyers can pick either a five-speed manual or six-speed dual-clutch transmission. Fiat says the 150-hp model with a dual-clutch transmission will reach 62 mph in 9.7 seconds and manage a top speed of 127 mph. Though it was restyled in Turino, Italy, the Viaggio will be built at the new Fiat-GAC factory in Changsha, Hunan. Fiat has had a joint venture with Chinese automaker GAC since 2009. After the Viaggio goes on sale in China later this year, Fiat may also consider launching a hatchback version. Even though Fiat does sell cars on our shores, the Viaggio is not destined for sale in the U.S. market. Read more: http://rumors.automobilemag.com/beijing-2012-fiat-viaggio-is-a-chinese-style-dodge-dart-127705.html#ixzz2PKRdm0Ty Follow us: @AutomobileMag on Twitter | AutomobileMag on Facebook

2013 Fiat 500e Buyers Get 12 Days’ Free Use Of Rental Cars

Buyers of the upcoming Fiat 500e electric car will get an unusual benefit: the use of another car for free. Fiat will give 500e owners credits for 12 days’ of car rentals from Enterprise Holdings, for the first three years of car ownership. The idea is to let drivers “borrow” a car with a longer driving range for the occasional long-distance road trip. The program will be called ePass. Each year, Fiat will credit owners with enough bonus points for 12 days of car rentals from Enterprise, Alamo, or National. Shoppers could borrow a gasoline-powered sedan for an out-of-state trip, or even a pickup truck to help move furniture. Although the rental itself will be free, Fiat 500e owners would reportedly still be responsible for fuel and insurance on the rented car. To keep things within the Chrysler Group family, 500e owners will only be able to rent certain vehicles under the program: a gas-powered Fiat 500, the upcoming Fiat 500L, and the Chrysler 200, as well as minivans and pickup trucks. The decision is a smart way for Fiat to avoid the “range anxiety” that plagues buyers of EVs with short driving ranges. BMW recently announced it will have a similar program for the i3 electric city car, allowing owners to rent normal BMW cars for a few days per year. The Fiat 500e has a 24-kWh lithium-ion battery pack that will give the small hatchback a driving range of 80 to 100 miles, depending on conditions. According to the EPA, the Fiat 500e will average 87 miles per charge and achieves 122/108 mpge (city/highway). Fiat claims the electricity used to charge up a 500e will cost about $500 per year. The car will be available in California starting this summer, and may eventually launch in other states. Pricing has yet to be announced but will likely be around $25,000. Read more: http://rumors.automobilemag.com/2013-fiat-500e-buyers-get-12-days-free-use-of-rental-cars-215209.html#ixzz2PKR2SBIW Follow us: @AutomobileMag on Twitter | AutomobileMag on Facebook

WEB CONNECTIVITY

From the convenience of your desktop computer, laptop or web-enabled smartphone, you can set up and gain access to a variety of Blue Link features. Included are the Monthly Vehicle Report, Maintenance Alert, Valet Alert, Geo-Fence, POI Web Search and Download, and more.

SMARTPHONE CONNECTIVITY

Download the new Blue Link^® Mobile App and turn your smartphone into a thing of brilliance. With its significant enhancements, this latest version of the app boasts a new user experience, faster navigation and innovative features, including a new map function with Points of Interest (POI) search, as well as Vehicle Diagnostic information. You can also remotely locate your vehicle, lock and unlock its doors, activate your vehicle's horn or lights, and start the engine**, all directly from your smartphone

IN-CAR CONNECTIVITY

From anywhere on the road, you can connect to Blue Link through an application right inside your vehicle. Essentially, your Hyundai doubles as a technological command center able to guide you through your busy life. You can access Blue Link through the navigation screen or by using voice commands. Some of the features accessible through the in-car application include Enhanced Roadside Assistance, Voice Text Messaging*, Turn-by-Turn Navigation, Eco-Coach, Restaurant Ratings and Stolen Vehicle Recovery.

Rumors Video Roundup: Sonic Skateboard Tricks, Ferrari FF in Hawaii, Unimogs Old and New

Take a Look Behind the Scenes at Hot Rod Magazine
Some believe the life of magazine editors is one of non-stop fun and games, but the fact of the matter is a lot of hours and creative energy goes into delivering your monthly mailbox surprise, and giving you your daily fix of online octane. Hot Rod Associate Editor Jesse Kiser takes us on a tour of Hot Rod Magazine headquarters in sunny So Cal to show the inner workings of the oldest continuously-published automotive magazine in the country.