I’m just saying that life makes its way… Dr Ian Malcolm (Jurassic Park, 1993)

A turban, a sharpened moustache, a little more eye make-up… Ten years ago it was a shirt, a tie, a hat and a hangover. Mustaches were much more serious. Railway mustaches. The mirror gives me a reflection of my room: clothes on the floor, an open wardrobe showing my new and colorful wardrobe. The lamp is about to fall. Bedside table covered with books. And my unmade bed. Insomniac’s bed. The same bed where Saanvi spent her last days. painful. infinite. The voice I will never forget is the voice of his last moments: “You have not been good to me, pyaar, you have not given me an easy life, but I know you are a better person than what you have shown me. ” It went off with those words running through me from side to side as he held my hand. My life with Saanvi was different, someone else’s life. He was coming back from the station late, drunk. I used to shout at anything. He raised his hand before. I used to despise her. She was nothing to me. Until I lost her and her words turned my existence upside down. I applied for early retirement and found that few people respected me and no one missed me at the station.

It’s the same station I go to every morning now. Astride my bike, I try to keep my purple cloak out of the rays, my gold turban out of sight as I weave through chaotic city traffic. I leave the bike hidden in the back alley where the drivers smoke. They laugh when they see me. I’ll get to the platform. There are still a few minutes left until the train loaded with schoolchildren arrives. I cleared my throat and put on my raincoat. Finally it comes, blows off steam and slowly comes to a stop. Children come downstairs and talk to each other. Some look at me and point at me. They are smiling. But the girl, about six years old, remained sitting on the floor. Cry. She is barefoot and poorly dressed. i will come closer “Good morning princess,” he looks at me and wipes away his tears. I bow deeply. With Shiva, my divination skills never met someone with a better future. Life is smiling on you princess. A smile for life» I take out a handful of candies from the inside pocket of my coat. She is smiling. He touches my nose with his finger. I walk her to school and hold her hand. “Have you been a wizard for long?”

Fiat is one of the classic European manufacturers that specializes in practical and affordable city cars and achieved great success with its 500, now one of the fashionable electric models with the 500e. To satisfy buyers with larger space needs, the Italian manufacturer launched two versions of the popular 500 years ago with a larger body: the 500L and a model inspired by the popularity of SUVs: the 500 X, which we already had the opportunity to see. try at that moment.

Although this model has been on the market since 2015, only recently has Fiat decided to renew this model without too many aesthetic variations, but with a fundamental change for the survival of the 500X on the market: the incorporation of a micro-motor. zero label hybrid. It’s a 130bhp petrol engine, which on this occasion has a small 20bhp electric motor that provides minimal assistance in moving the car, and another electric motor that offers starting assistance.

The exterior appearance of this red version of the 500X is practically the same as the model we tested at the time. One of the changes is the logo itself, as in this version the 500 logo is placed on the front with a new look and in red (which gives the version its name), while the brand shield on this case is placed behind and in the form of letters without the round label, which had the front end of the previous generation model.

Older brother

The 500X has an air reminiscent of the “little” 500, which is also inspired by the “historic” 500, which caused a social and industrial revolution in Italy in the 1950s. Perhaps the most successful “big” 500 with an aggressive front, it stands out at the front with a well-proportioned bumper that stands out with black moldings and gray pieces that act as aesthetic elements, where the series logo is displayed, but also as a defense against possible scratches when driving in the city.

The front part is complemented by oval optical groups that maintain the personality of the brand image of the series. The profile of this 500X is inspired by the body of an SUV, but with a lower height than that offered by other models, it is closer to an off-road philosophy and in this case it approaches the proportions of commercial vehicle volumes. The black moldings that run along the bottom and the fenders and spoked wheels give it a very quirky retro feel.

At the back, vertical groups of lights stand out, which are also inspired by the aesthetics of a utility vehicle, as well as a large bumper that is divided into two parts, the upper one in the body color and the lower one, which, like the lower part. The front part is made up of black plastic elements and gray plastic strips. As in the front, it fulfills an aesthetic function, but also protection against impacts and scratches.

practical interior

Inside, we find ourselves again with generous space and a very simple design with materials such as hard plastic, but with “chic” touches such as bright elements in body color, round indicators with a retro air and large buttons. round shape, which in this case is used to activate or deactivate the electric drive, activate the emergency lights or turn on or off the passenger airbag function, if we have installed a child seat on the passenger seat.

The seats also have aesthetically pleasing details such as red embroidered piping and the model’s logo. The design of the seats hugs but does not collect as much as it seems, they are also somewhat narrow in the shoulder area, so they are not as comfortable as you might think. The round design of the headrest is height adjustable. It has a central armrest for greater driver comfort.

In the back, the space is relatively wide with enough space for the legs and for comfortable travel for adults. It has several storage spaces and has a USB charging port between the two front seats. The central square in the back has good padding, although as usual the width is the most sacrificed for space.

practical suitcase

There are no changes to the trunk either, as the volume is still 350 liters, which is a good figure for a car of its category, and it has a tray that allows the floor of the trunk to be placed in two heights using the space hidden under said storage. We found a light point and a 12 volt socket, as well as hooks to secure the cargo so it wouldn’t move with the car’s movements.

Before the dynamic test of the 500X Red, it is necessary to take into account the type of engine that Fiat has incorporated into this model. It is a Mild Hybrid engine that combines a 1.5-liter, 130-horsepower four-cylinder gasoline engine that also has a 48-volt, 20-horsepower electric motor. There is a third electric motor that only works to start the car and at very low revs so that the internal combustion engine does not have to intervene in these circumstances.

The result of incorporating this new addition to the 500X engine range is very positive. Its operation in urban routes is pleasant and provides a smoother ride much greater than previous engines of this model. The incorporation of the starter’s electric motor is very noticeable both in the immediate reaction and in the first meters until the internal combustion engine starts up, which is also smooth.

Smooth ride

In addition to a more pleasant ride, thanks to this inclusion of two electric motors, the car responds better when accelerating from a standstill. In fact, the 500X with this engine is able to accelerate to 100 kilometers per hour from rest in 9.4 seconds, compared to the 10.9 of the previously tested 120-horsepower petrol model.

On the road, the electric motor helps less, as it disconnects at a speed of more than 50 kilometers per hour, and on the other hand, the battery is much smaller than what we find in a traditional hybrid. Even so, the 130 hp and 240 Nm of the petrol engine are enough to get the Fiat moving with sufficient ease and face slopes or accelerate for overtaking without any problems.

Handling on twisty roads is quite good, although this is not the terrain in which the 500X is most comfortable. Even so, its cornering performance is confident and responds without problems, although not very briskly. Another factor that worsens is the sound, because the acoustic comfort of course suffers when the internal combustion engine is started, although with a four-cylinder the engine noise is more rounded and pleasant.

Consumption is one of the strong points of this 500X, which thanks to its micro-hybrid motorization makes it possible to maintain fuel consumption on urban routes, which can drop below 7 liters per 100 km. On the road, you can get relatively close to the 5.7 liters per 100 kilometers of consumption declared by the manufacturer in the official data.

conclusions

This red 500X from Fiat with a micro-hybrid engine is a very interesting evolution for a car that has been on the market for a few years, but whose concept and design have not aged badly. Maintained consumption, a smoother ride and a more determined throttle response are elements that suit this Italian model wonderfully.

It is a very versatile and comfortable car that does not indulge in high modifications and does not stand out in any section, but offers a casual aesthetic and many practical features that prioritize the comfort of use both in the city and on the highways. and highways. It’s definitely an interesting update for a popular model.