Fiat Sedici Range
Fiats Sedici compact 4x4 looks like a very clever package. Yes, its a Compact SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle). But yes also, its a versatile Family Hatchback you can afford, with a dash of Italian style to distance it from the other Focus, Astra and Megane models up and down your street.
A family 4x4 for the real world might be one way to describe it. None of the off roading excess youll never need but all of the versatility and style youd normally pay close to £20,000 for. Except in this case youll pay from £12,710 for the entry-level 1.6 16v petrol model, offered in Dynamic and Eleganza guises.
| Build |  |
| Comfort | |
| Depreciation | |
| Economy |  |
| Equipment | |
| Handling |  |
| Insurance | |
| Performance | |
| Styling | |
| Value | |
Inside, the fascia is attractively designed with some decent and hard wearing materials used. The combination of a raised driving position, height adjustable drivers seat, rake-adjustable steering wheel and deep front quarterlight windows offer the driver a commanding driving position with good all-round visibility for a panoramic view of the road ahead. The cabins spacious too. As well as reclining individually, each section of the 60:40 split/folding rear seat can be double folded forwards into an upright stowage position behind the front seat backs, boosting the volume of the flat-floor luggage compartment from 270 to 670 litres. Numerous oddment stowage spaces throughout the car include a large, lockable, passenger side glove box and generous door bins. So much for showroom considerations. Whats it like on tarmac or indeed on surfaces much rougher? The answer is somewhat unexpected.
Though its no Land Rover Freelander, this compact Fiat is endowed with some rather serious off-road artillery. Its been fitted with a clever on-demand 4x4 system which features an electronically controlled centre differential and three driver-selected operating modes 2WD, AUTO and LOCK activated via a three-way transmission control rocker-switch housed in the centre console. This simple, intuitive, electronic solution does away with the need for any cumbersome and intrusive transfer box gearlevers. At the heart of the new 4x4 transmission is an electromagnetically operated dry multi-plate clutch coupling system that modulates the transfer of torque electronically, according to demand from either axle.
"The Sedici is a more capable vehicle than many owners will ever realise"
In 2WD mode, used during normal driving conditions, the 4x4 system transmits all engine torque to the front axle, reaping the benefits of a traditional front-wheel drive transmission improved fuel economy, less mechanical wear and lower emissions. When driving in adverse weather conditions, or on surfaces with low levels of grip, the Sedici driver can select on-demand 4x4 simply by setting the transmission control switch to AUTO. In this mode, the transmission employs the ABS anti-lock brake sensors to detect relative slip levels between front and rear axles and, generating electrical pulses which activate the electromagnetic clutch plate coupling system, intervenes where necessary. The systems AUTO setting automatically modulates torque distribution between the front and rear axle, transmitting all torque to the front wheels under the majority of normal driving conditions, whilst optimising torque transfer to the rear axle when the sensors detect low grip, or in anticipation of loss of traction during acceleration.
As its name suggests, LOCK splits engine torque equally between front and rear axles, to ensure prompt and stable take-off in mud, snow, sand or other adverse conditions. This 50:50 torque split is maintained up to speeds of 37 mph, above which the system automatically reverts to the AUTO mode. The Sedicis combination of short 895 mm front and 720 mm rear overhangs and high 190 mm ground clearance make it surprisingly well suited to challenging off-road conditions, with approach, departure and break-over angles (the maximum angle of incidence that may be undertaken without the body touching the ground) of 20.3, 31.1 and 18.
1 degrees respectively. The car will also readily climb gradients of 33%. Most of the time of course, youll be using the car on tarmac and here, its as quiet and unassuming a companion as any other modern family hatch. The 1.
6-litre petrol powerplant has 107bhp at its disposal and plenty of poke (sixty from rest is 10.8 away en route to 106mph) while the manual gearbox is light, slick and positive. At the pumps, owners should return around 40mpg in regular use. The 120bhp diesel is all torque with 280Nm of the stuff coursing through the wheels at 2,050rpm (the petrol manages 145Nm at 4,000rpm).
It can sprint to 60mph in 11.2s but feels quicker than the petrol in real world driving. Top speed is 112mph and you should get around 43mpg. Standard equipment is generous, including ABS with EBD, twin front and side airbags, air conditioning, front fog lights, roof bars, electric front windows, electric power steering, 60/40 split-folding rear seats and a 4-speaker CD radio.
To this tally, the Eleganza adds silver-painted roofbars, a leather-covered steering wheel, 16" alloy wheels, automatic climate control, a height-adjustable drivers seat, chromed interior fittings, body-coloured electric heated mirrors and stereo controls for the steering wheel. Crossover vehicles are a big money spinner in the upper price brackets but Fiat have had the courage and the lateral thinking to apply the concept at a more affordable pitch. The Sedici offers just enough performance, just enough refinement and more off-road capability than most buyers need, backed up by decent handling. All the car you need? It might just be.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Fiat Sedici range
PRICES: £12,710-£15,700 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUPS: 7-8
CO2 EMISSIONS: 173-174g/km
PERFORMANCE: [1.6] 0-60mph 10.8s / Max Speed 106mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: [1.6] (urban) 31.7mpg / (extra urban) 46.3mpg / (combined) 39.8mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front and side airbags / ABS with EBD
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Heightmm 4115/1755/1620
