Selfish Cyclist Thinks Rally Stage is All for Himself…

A while ago, we saw a cyclist that didn’t want to share a London street with a supercar, but this is the first time we see a cyclist using a…rally stage while the actual rally is taking place.

It happened in Rome, Italy, over the weekend, during the inaugural edition of the Rally della Capitale. The cyclist entered the closed rally stage and started pedaling, ignoring the crowd’s warnings to clear the road. Not only did he put himself and the spectators in danger, but he also ruined the race for the Fiat Grande Punto S1600, whose driver had to brake hard to wait for the cyclist to clear the road.

One would say that by now he had realized he wasn’t supposed to ride on that road, but he didn’t. After the car passed, he hopped on the saddle again and continued his ride, only to cross paths once again with the Punto. What do you think; was the cyclist simply stupid or defiant at the rally being organized there? Tell us in the comments.

Story References: YouTube via Worldcarfans

By Dan Mihalascu

VIDEO

Consumer Reports Rates Fiat 500L, Nissan Versa Note and Infiniti Q50

One has to be careful when watching many car video reviews to not lose their own views and opinions, and oust them in favor of what somebody else said. It’s so obvious sometimes that reviewers peek over the fence and end up all pointing out the same qualities and flaws over and over again, until you’d be forgiven for thinking that it’s the way things are, full stop.

However, I’ve noticed that with Consumer Reports reviews, a new perspective is brought forth, on cars we already knew, by highlighting qualities or flaws that may have been (repeatedly) overlooked by others.

It may be down to the way they test the cars, or just their attitude towards them, but for instance, their freshly-uploaded quick takes for the Fiat 500L, Nissan Versa Note and Infiniti Q50 stand separately from the mainstream. According to them, the Note leaves the impression of being the best all-round car of the trio, despite at first glance seeming to be the least desirable…

The Infiniti is penalized for its vague steering that can get an optional steer-by-wire system, which makes things even worse in that respect. The Fiat wins points on style and space, but its automatic gearbox is dimwitted and the limited choice of engines (only one available) further hurts what is otherwise an enticing package for families.

Check out the videos for all three cars, below.

By Andrei Nedelea

VIDEO

Fiat 500c Abarth's New Topless Ad with Catrinel Menghia is Wickedly Cheeky

If there's one thing Fiat has proven to do well in North America, is capture viewers' attention with its ads - well, at least after it learned its lesson with those out of touch commercials starring Jenifer Lopez.
Exactly a year after the Italians launched the 500 Abarth “Seduction” spot with supermodel Catrinel Menghia at the 2011 LA Auto Show, at the same event this year, Fiat released a new commercial for its 500c Abarth, which is the partially open-top version of the series.

New Fiat 500 Ad: The Next Wave of Italian Immigrants Has Come to America

The Fiat brand is playing the immigration card in a new commercial for the 500 city car family that includes the regular hatchback, the canvas-topped 500C and the sporty Abarth models.
The new TV spot that is titled "Immigrants" is available in 30-, 60- and 90-second versions, and will run on local and national broadcast and cable channels beginning on Monday.
It tells the tale of the 500's departure from the beautiful Amalfi coast and Sorrento in Italy with several cars jumping into the sea and driving under water all the way to New York City.