Autoblog

Fifth Gear pits Renault Sport Megane 265 Trophy vs Nissan 370Z

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 12:45:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Videos, Hatchback, Nissan, Renault

Fifth Gear host Tiff Needell had such a good time throwing the Renault Sport Megane 265 Trophy around the track that it made him ask a silly question. Could the 261-horsepower, front-wheel drive, four-seat hot hatch lap quicker than the 324-hp, rear-wheel drive, two-seat Nissan 370Z?

This version of the Renault lapped the Nürburgring in 8:07.97, the quickest front-wheel-drive road car on the timing sheet. Even so, 63 hp down and more than 70 pounds heavier by gross weight, one could expect the Megane to have a hard time even keeping up with the Z. But on a wet track and at the hands of Subaru Rally driver and James Bond stunt driver Mark Higgins (he of the epic Isle of Man save), expectations have a way of going sideways.

Follow the jump for the video to find out which one is more fun and which one is quicker.

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Fifth Gear pits Renault Sport Megane 265 Trophy vs Nissan 370Z originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 29 Dec 2011 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Watch Fifth Gear drive across England in a brand-new Lada Niva

Zach Bowman — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 18:59:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Etc., Videos, Hatchback, UK, Russia, Off-Road

If you happen to have a soft spot for ugly, inexpensive four-wheel-drive machines that can outperform substantially newer and more expensive vehicles, don't watch the video after the jump.

If you choose not to heed our guidance, you may just find yourself desperately searching for a way to get your hands on a Lada Niva. Fifth Gear recently undertook a unique challenge. While the Niva hasn't been sold new in the UK for years, specialty importers can still slide one your way for a small fee and a smile. The whole kit will set buyers back around £11,000, or about $17,000 at current conversion rates.

That makes the Niva the cheapest four-wheel drive on the UK market right now. But is it worth it? Fifth Gear took to the network of unpaved roads that envelope the UK countryside in a bid to crawl their way across the island by spending as little time as possible on paved roads. How did the plucky little Soviet-era machine do? Hit the jump to find out. Just remember: we warned you.

Continue reading Watch Fifth Gear drive across England in a brand-new Lada Niva

Watch Fifth Gear drive across England in a brand-new Lada Niva originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Dec 2011 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Vicki from Fifth Gear wrings out BMW's new M5

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Videos, BMW, Luxury

Vicki Butler-Henderson of Fifth Gear has taken the 2012 BMW M5 into her deft hands and massaged it oh-so-gently through the corners and curbing of southern France. All right, quite the opposite of "gently," instead preferring to put a billowing white chokehold on every single one of the M5's 560 horsepower and 502 pound-feet.

Check out the video after the jump for VBH's detailed take - and plenty of powerslides. Her conclusion? Much the same as ours - BMW's new super saloon is almost perfect.

Continue reading Vicki from Fifth Gear wrings out BMW's new M5

Vicki from Fifth Gear wrings out BMW's new M5 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Dec 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tiff Needell hoons it up in the Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0

Noah Joseph — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 20:13:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Videos, Porsche, UK

We know, we know. We miss Top Gear, too. But it'll be another month or so before the hit BBC program comes back for another season. Fortunately, that's what Fifth Gear is for.

The Channel 5 program was launched in 2002 when BBC canceled the original Top Gear. The better-known program came back on later that year, but by then, Channel 5 had already poached a few of Clarkson's former co-hosts and started its own show.

In the latest segment, former Top Gear host and racing driver Tiff Needell has taken to the wheel of the Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0 - the ultimate in-car-nation of the previous Elfen - on a wet track. (It is, after all, in England. And it's not the summer.) To say he enjoyed the experience would be an understatement, but we'll let you see that for yourself in the video after the jump.

Continue reading Tiff Needell hoons it up in the Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0

Tiff Needell hoons it up in the Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Nov 2011 20:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fifth Gear drives Europe's hottest hot hatch, the Renaultsport Megane 265 Trophy

Noah Joseph — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 19:32:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Videos, Hatchback, Renault, UK

You know, we can live without the Laguna and the Scenic. We really can. But when it comes down to the hot hatches, well... we kinda wish we could get out driving gloves on some Renault models on this side of the Atlantic. Certain models in specific, like the Megane 265 Trophy.

Renaultsport's top-of-the-line model holds the record for the quickest lap time of any front-driver around the Nürburgring. But while the hardcore R26.R that preceded it was a little rough-and-tumble, the new 265 Trophy is a properly sorted an everyday driver as it is a blistering performer. That's what the crew over at Fifth Gear found when they took the bruiser out for a spin. Follow the jump to watch their review.

Continue reading Fifth Gear drives Europe's hottest hot hatch, the Renaultsport Megane 265 Trophy

Fifth Gear drives Europe's hottest hot hatch, the Renaultsport Megane 265 Trophy originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Nov 2011 19:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VBH thrashes Ford Mustang Boss 302 at Le Mans for Fifth Gear

Noah Joseph — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 14:59:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Europe, Videos, Ford, UK

Just a few days ago, we brought you footage of Fifth Gear hostess Vicki Butler-Henderson flogging the Ferrari 458 Spider along the hills outside Maranello. Epic, to be sure, but is Ferrari the only show in town? Of course not.

Many have challenged the legendary Italian marque over the years, but among the proudest moments - for Americans, at least - was when Ford, still reeling from a snubbed takeover deal with old man Enzo himself, took to Le Mans to take on Ferrari.

The showdown went down in the books as one of the most grueling battles in motorsport history. And now Vicki has relived the experience by taking one of Ford's latest performance machines - the Mustang Boss 302 - down to La Sarthe to take on a few Prancing Horses of her own. She may cite some tired chapter and verse from The Standard List of British Complaints About American Cars, but Butler-Henderson still seems to enjoy herself a great deal. Follow the jump to watch the segment.

Continue reading VBH thrashes Ford Mustang Boss 302 at Le Mans for Fifth Gear

VBH thrashes Ford Mustang Boss 302 at Le Mans for Fifth Gear originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Nov 2011 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Vicki Butler-Henderson flogs Ferrari 458 Spider on Fifth Gear

Noah Joseph — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 19:59:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Videos, Ferrari, UK

A hardtop convertible Ferrari? Yeah, you're gonna want a pretty blonde to cover that one. But this isn't the California. This is the 458 Spider. Right, better make it Vicki Butler-Henderson then.

VBH, you see, isn't some boulevard-cruising talk-show host. Sure, she's presented her share of reality television shows, like the UK version of The Biggest Loser, but she's also a certified racing driver and one of the hosts on Fifth Gear. Sounds to us like the perfect personality to test Maranello's latest follicle stimulator, and lucky for us, that's just what she's done.

Follow the jump to see Vicki channel her best Clarkson and quite nearly come to climax on camera as she drives her new favorite supercar around the Italian countryside.

Continue reading Vicki Butler-Henderson flogs Ferrari 458 Spider on Fifth Gear

Vicki Butler-Henderson flogs Ferrari 458 Spider on Fifth Gear originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Nov 2011 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fifth Gear lines up Audi RS5 vs. Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe

Steven J. Ewing — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Videos, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury

The menacing Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG coupe is slowly making its way into dealerships, ready to eat the souls of any driver willing to tame the 451-horsepower super coupe. It's a hardcore two-door with a naturally aspirated V8 powerplant under the hood, and in our recent stint behind the wheel, we fell head-over-heels in love.

But the C63 isn't the only hot super coupe on the block. The Audi RS5 - a model that will soon be available Stateside - offers 444 horsepower but puts that grunt to the ground via all-wheel drive. It's not as outright vicious as the Merc, but it's certainly capable of standing toe-to-toe, particularly on wet tarmac.

That in mind, the folks at Fifth Gear took these two coupes to the Cadwell Park circuit in Lincolnshire, Great Britain to see which German could pull off the quickest lap time. We won't spoil it for you, so follow the jump and watch Tiff Needell and company have a bit of high-horsepower fun.

Continue reading Fifth Gear lines up Audi RS5 vs. Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe

Fifth Gear lines up Audi RS5 vs. Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Nov 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fifth Gear hot shoe Tiff Needell takes issue with Lamborghini's Aventador

Chris Shunk — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 14:56:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Videos, Lamborghini

With nearly 700 horsepower and a stunningly angular supercar skin, the Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 is one impressive exotic. And speaking of impressive, the resume of Fifth Gear presenter Tiff Needell is nothing to shake a stick at either. Two titans in their respective fields, but do they go great together?

The racecar driver turned Fifth Gear star took the bull by the horns, experiencing the Aventador on the UK's public roads and on the track. The Aventador was strong enough to achieve one very impressive Fifth Gear speed record, but does Tiff love it? About as much as a stiff neck. Hit the jump to watch Needell try to tame Lambo's latest.

Continue reading Fifth Gear hot shoe Tiff Needell takes issue with Lamborghini's Aventador

Fifth Gear hot shoe Tiff Needell takes issue with Lamborghini's Aventador originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 04 Nov 2011 14:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fifth Gear pits Audi RS3 against BMW 1 Series M Coupe

Zach Bowman — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 19:59:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Videos, Hatchback, Audi, BMW, Luxury

It seems the press is bent on brewing up a rivalry brewing between the BMW 1 Series M Coupe and the Audi RS3. As you may recall, AutoExpress recently pitted the pint-sized Germans against each another in a drag race. Now, Fifth Gear lined up both machines for a one-lap battle with Tiff Needell driving the 1M and Mark Higgins piloting the Audi RS3. Higgins recently set a four-wheel lap record around the Isle of Man TT course (and pulled off one of the hairiest saves we've ever seen in the process).

The 1 Series M Coupe packs 335 horsepower channeled to the rear tires as God intended, while the Audi RS3 comes equipped with 340 horsepower and the sure-footedness of all-wheel drive. How did the battle turn out? Let's just say that the winner spanked his competition by nearly three full seconds. Hit the jump to see the fight for yourself.

Continue reading Fifth Gear pits Audi RS3 against BMW 1 Series M Coupe

Fifth Gear pits Audi RS3 against BMW 1 Series M Coupe originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 23 Oct 2011 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fifth Gear crashes a Ford Focus at 120 mph

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 19:58:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Safety, Videos, Hatchback, Ford

For the sake of this post, let's say that your average passenger car can hit a top speed of about 120 miles per hour. Ever wonder what would happen if a run-of-the-mill car - even one that's considered safe by modern passenger-car standards - crashed into an oncoming replica of itself?

The blokes from Fifth Gear wanted to find out, so they procured an older Ford Focus, which is importantly just the kind of car you're likely to come across on your daily commute, and rammed it into an unmovable object at 120 miles per hour. That's the equivalent of two Focus hatchbacks colliding, both having been traveling at something close to their top speeds.

You probably know what's coming: One very big bang. And you'd be right. But you might be at least a wee bit surprised by the sheer amount of devastation inflicted on the poor Focus. Want to watch? Click past the jump... unless, as Fifth Gear says, you've got a 'dicky ticker.'

Continue reading Fifth Gear crashes a Ford Focus at 120 mph

Fifth Gear crashes a Ford Focus at 120 mph originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 20 Oct 2011 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fifth Gear remembers what made the original Audi Quattro so special

Jeff Glucker — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Performance, Videos, Hatchback, Audi, UK

Compiling a list of automotive legends is a task that could force all enthusiasts into a debate of epic proportions. Opinions will differ, feelings will be hurt and some deserving vehicles might wind up off the ultimate list. There is one vehicle, however, that should create little debate as to its place in the annals of all-time greats. We're talking about the original Audi Quattro, and it's clear that the folks from the UK's Fifth Gear agree.

The Fifth Gear crew managed to snag the keys to an Ur-Quattro for its Legends series, and set about tracking it down some of their local country roads. Cameras were powered up, lenses were clean and the resulting review is available to fawn over after the jump.

Continue reading Fifth Gear remembers what made the original Audi Quattro so special

Fifth Gear remembers what made the original Audi Quattro so special originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 29 Sep 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fifth Gear tackles the Morgan 3 Wheeler

Zach Bowman — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 19:28:00 EST

Filed under: Videos, Motorcycle, UK, Specialty, MISC

We'll be the first to admit that we'd perform all kinds of unseemly acts for the chance to own the new Morgan 3 Wheeler. The resurrected interpretation of the British manufacturer's very first vehicle calls to us in a way that's difficult to explain. Maybe it's the sound of that big American V-twin out front or our unexplainable propensity for vehicles with less than four wheels. Maybe we just admire the insanity of a manufacturer willing to produce a machine that looks like its sole intent is to cause you physical harm. Whatever it is, we want one, and watching the guys from Fifth Gear play with the machine has only stoked that desire.

Morgan let the Fifth Gear crew into the English countryside with the topless machine for a spell, and, despite the fact that the beast is loud, uncomfortable, hot and a little on the squirrely side, it looks like they enjoyed themselves as much as we did. Hit the jump for a look at the video for yourself.

Continue reading Fifth Gear tackles the Morgan 3 Wheeler

Fifth Gear tackles the Morgan 3 Wheeler originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 01 Aug 2011 19:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fifth Gear thrashes Honda CR-Z Mugen

Zach Bowman — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 19:28:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Etc., Videos, Hatchback, Honda

When the crew at Mugen finally got around to turning out their take on the Honda CR-Z, we all got pretty excited. With 200 horsepower from the same 1.5-liter IMA engine and motor combination, 100 pounds less weight and a buffet of aftermarket go-fast, stick-hard and brake-harder goodies, the car looked to be what the CR-Z was supposed to offer from the get-go. Honda recently tossed the keys to the good people of Fifth Gear who set to putting the car through its paces in the rolling English countryside.

What'd they find out? While the Mugen CR-Z is decidedly quicker than its factory counterpart, the hatchback is also a bit more of a pain to live with. Stiff springs, an overzealous limited-slip differential and a buzz-happy exhaust make for a car that's more content on the race track than on public streets. Even so, there's little arguing with 200 horsepower in a flingable machine. Hit the jump to check out a video of Fifth Gear's impressions for yourself.

Continue reading Fifth Gear thrashes Honda CR-Z Mugen

Fifth Gear thrashes Honda CR-Z Mugen originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Jul 2011 19:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fifth Gear pits McLaren MP4-12c against Ferrari 458 Italia

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 19:57:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Videos, Ferrari, MISC

Fifth Gear rings out the McLaren MP4-12C and Ferrari 458 - Click above to watch video after the jump

Fifth Gear's Tiff Needell and Jason Plato (lucky bums!) had a go at both the McLaren MP4-12C and Ferrari 458 Italia, testing each car for thrills and for precision. While both may seem to be winners in the pantheon of automotive excellence, one one can come off victorious.

Both drivers render the same verdict, and it's the kind of final assessment you don't often get from motoring shows: one wins on paper, then gets trounced once they discard the spec sheet and grab the wheel.

Powerslides, tire smoke and some unintentional off-roading can be found in the video after the jump. Enjoy!

Continue reading Fifth Gear pits McLaren MP4-12c against Ferrari 458 Italia

Fifth Gear pits McLaren MP4-12c against Ferrari 458 Italia originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Jun 2011 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fifth Gear tracks Porsche 911 Carrera against Lotus Evora S

Jeff Glucker — Mon, 23 May 2011 18:59:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Videos, Lotus, Porsche

Lotus Evora S vs. Porsche 911 - Click above to watch video after the jump

How focused do you want your sports car? While you can go out and twist the track-ready dial to 11, some folks only want a dash more punch than the next guy. A daily-drivable hoon machine is what's required, and Fifth Gear lined up two of them to battle it out at the Dutch TT Circuit Assen.

The Lotus Evora S squares off against the Porsche 911, and Fifth Gear's Vicki Butler-Henderson pushes both coupes around the course. Is Germany's icon quicker than this blue British bomber? Click past the jump to find out.

Continue reading Fifth Gear tracks Porsche 911 Carrera against Lotus Evora S

Fifth Gear tracks Porsche 911 Carrera against Lotus Evora S originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 May 2011 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Hockenheim recreated on ice, Porsche taken out to play

Jeff Glucker — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 20:01:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Videos, Porsche, Off-Road

Tiff takes to the ice in a RWD Porsche 911 - Click above to watch video after the jump

Imagine a vast frozen plain of iced-over lakes located 50 miles from the Arctic Circle. Now imagine 500 acres of that expanse converted into a playground for cars. The region is known as Lapland, and it stretches across Norway, Finland, Sweden and Russia. Laponie Ice Driving has turned a portion of it into five icy tracks, two of which are full-scale replicas of famous racing circuits: Le Castellet and the Hockenheim Ring.

Fifth Gear's Tiff Needell ventured out to this frozen tundra to experience the traction-deficient racing for himself. Using a Porsche 911 GT3, Tiff set out to establish a quick time around the iced Hockenheim replica. Former BTTC racer Yvan Muller is on hand to show him how it's done. Click past the jump for the slick action.

[Source: Fifth Gear]

Continue reading Video: Hockenheim recreated on ice, Porsche taken out to play

Video: Hockenheim recreated on ice, Porsche taken out to play originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 17 Apr 2011 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Vicki from Fifth Gear takes BMW's M3 GTS out for some fun in the rain

Aaron Richardson — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 19:59:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Europe, Videos, BMW, Racing

2011 BMW M3 GTS - Click above to view video after the jump

Vicki Butler-Henderson has driven her fair share of amazing cars. She started racing karts when she was a kid, has been an instructor at Silverstone and has been a TV host and automotive journalist since the mid-1990s. Suffice it to say, it takes a lot to impress Ms. Butler-Henderson.

As the following video shows, the 2011 BMW M3 GTS managed to do just that. She describes exactly what she loves about the GTS while hooning its wheels off around a very wet, very slippery test track, and between guttural sounds and breathless description, Butler-Henderson points out that the M3 GTS's prodigious power, phenomenal brakes and telepathic steering make it "an amazing, amazing car." Click past the jump to check out the footage for yourself.

Gallery: BMW M3 GTS

[Source: Fifth Gear via YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Vicki from Fifth Gear takes BMW's M3 GTS out for some fun in the rain

Video: Vicki from Fifth Gear takes BMW's M3 GTS out for some fun in the rain originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Apr 2011 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: 27-liter, Rolls-Royce airplane-engined Rover SD1

Aaron Richardson — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 20:01:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Etc., Videos, Rolls-Royce

1981 Rover SD-1 - Click above to watch video after the jump

Charlie Broomfield got bored of working on run-of-the-mill project cars. He always seemed to finish them to quickly, and was never quite satisfied with the results. Charlie needed a challenge to his engineering and fabrication skills.

That challenge came in the form of a donated 1981 Rover SD-1. The SD-1 needed some serious help to be the luxury sport sedan it was when it left British Leyland during the Thatcher era. Instead of restoring the car from top to bottom, though, Charlie purchased a 27-liter Rolls-Royce Meteor engine from a British Spitfire fighter plane. The engine cost Charlie a slim £1,000.

With 600 horsepower and 1,500 pound-feet of Nazi-stopping gusto wedged between the frame rails, the SD-1 will now break 160 mph without going over 2,000 rpm. Almost none of the original Rover parts are left, save the body panels, and Charlie's goal is to crack 200 mph in the 24-cylinder beast before he considers the project done.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: 27-liter, Rolls-Royce airplane-engined Rover SD1

Video: 27-liter, Rolls-Royce airplane-engined Rover SD1 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 02 Apr 2011 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Fifth Gear checks out the two-cylinder Fiat 500 TwinAir

Noah Joseph — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 18:28:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Videos, Hatchback, Fiat, UK

Fiat 500 TwinAir on Fifth Gear - Click above to watch the video after the jump

The more cylinders, the better. Right? That's exactly the kind of conventional wisdom that's being turned on its head with the green revolution. Everything from hatchbacks to muscle sedans are dropping pistons like clumsy engine-plant workers these days. But what about the TwinAir engine on the Fiat 500? Have the Italians taken things too far?

That's what the crew over at Fifth Gear have set about figuring out. The other British car show took the latest Cinquecento - all two cylinders of it - out for video review. So how did it fare? Follow the jump to watch the segment for yourself and find out.

Continue reading Video: Fifth Gear checks out the two-cylinder Fiat 500 TwinAir

Video: Fifth Gear checks out the two-cylinder Fiat 500 TwinAir originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Dec 2010 18:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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