1.18.2015

FORZA MultiAir!

Benvenuti amici!

Last year, we touched upon FIATs role in the history of Motorsport. The blog entry, from May 2014, went as far back as the first purpose-built race car… the 1902 FIAT 24hp Corsa. FIAT, along with it's prestigious subsidiaries, have dominated the course of racing history. Although we don't always read about or hear it mentioned in adverts, FIAT & ABARTH, along with their more famous cousins (Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Lancia & Maserati) are brands synonymous with performance. Enter either of these names + racing into your preferred search engine for indisputable evidence.

FIAT 500 & Alfa Romeo MiTo

The above-mentioned list of lustful Italians found ways to translate track advancements to street viability and vice versa. As was then is now. There is a new buzz in the air (for 2015) and that buzz is the sound of Alfa Romeo-derived FIAT Famiglia MultiAir/UniAir motors. Patented by FIAT in 2002, the technology (in 1.4 L petrol form) was introduced in the 2009 Alfa Romeo MiTo. Its most famous appearance to date, though, must be the Alfa Romeo 4C…  the dream inducing four cylinder supercar. 

The World's Fastest MultiAir Street Beast

The engine, developed by a Rinaldo Rinolfi led team of engineers, is nothing short of revolutionary in the realm of petrol-powered engines. The electro-hydraulic tech, for lack of better words, takes the place of the throttle valve… allowing the engine to create more power while producing fewer emissions. FIAT has since used the MultiAir as the basis for other applications, such as; award winning the Chrysler Tigershark and FIAT TwinAir engines (used in Alfas, FIATs & Lancias). All of them owe a great deal to the Rodolfo Benetto developed 1985 FIAT FIRE (Fully Integrated Robotized Engine).

Turbo-charged MultiAir for Formula 4

More recently, on March 4 2014, the ABARTH division of FIAT S.p.A. announced a collaboration with the FIA (Fèdèration Internationale de l'Automobile) to supply the MultiAir Turbo ABARTH engine for use in powering Formula 4 cars. This an important development for the future of FIAT passenger coaches. As we learned from don Enzo Ferrari, the sales of passenger coaches fuels the research & development in the Motorsport arena. Likewise, the involvement of a mainstream automaker in the Motorsport arena heightens recognition for the mainstream models. These realities are just what FIAT needs for the North American market… more visibility… separate from their involvement in rebuilding the once crippled Chrysler Group LLC.

From Italy with Love ~ MultiAir Turbo Style

The announcement of the FIA partnership came at the debut of the infamous ABARTH 695 Biposto. Dubbed "The Most ABARTH of All ABARTHs", the very exclusive special edition of the ultimate hyper city car is creating more global buzz for the FIAT brand, the flagship Cinquecento as well as growing the membership for The Cult of the Scorpion. While not every car aficionado or FIAT fan can afford the made-to-order "World's Smallest Supercar", it creates an in-house testing ground for future generations of mighty mice.

In-house Ad for the "Black-tie Racer"

Securing a spot as the official car of the 2014 Gumball 3000 rally has worked to create the image of a must-have car for the 695 Biposto and ABARTH 500. Years after its release in North America, the A500 is still reviewed by automotive magazines and online car channels. The iconic FIAT 500 and the rambunctious ABARTH 500 have grown from the latest foreign niche car in North America to a viable pair of runabout mainstays on USAmerican streets and highways. As practical as they are stylish & fun, no other standard and performance model pairing has the rich history and level of sheer coolness these Turinese twins and their MultiAir cousins enjoy.

I'm excited about the future of the new, global FIAT S.p.A. and I'm equally excited about the future of the legacy of the ABARTH brand name. I am fortunate to have firsthand commuter familiarity of the naturally aspirated (2012 FIAT 500 Pop) and turbo-charged (2013 ABARTH 500) MultiAir technology. I have not a single doubt this cross-platform advancement will keep FIAT life on the worldwide road for a long time to come. "Keep your motor running…"


Vivere.Amare.Guidare.

Ciao!

@

1.07.2015

Andiamo! Vamos! Idemo! Auf Geht's!

Felice Anno Nuovo amici!


With a few short months before the 2015 driving season is upon us, I thought it might be a good idea to consider news resources, activities and events for the coming year. Most of the events listed are local to the Milwaukee Wisconsin Metropolitan area, but they may give you an idea of things going on in your immediate locale. Other events are national or international and may require some creative thought and/or planning to fit into your schedule.

Publications:


A while back, I listed my top 5 websites to read FIAT-related news. But not everyone has a tolerance for technology in their reading. Many people still prefer good ol' fashioned paper & ink. Fortunately, for aficionados, there are magazines feeding that preference and at reasonable prices. Of course, all listed here are also available in a digital format. The top three, on my list, do more than report auto news… they entertain as well.

Auto Italia Magazine is the premier magazine for enthusiasts of all Italian automakers. While Ferrari, Maserati & Lamborghini are quite often featured in USAmerican and European car rags, FIAT, Lancia & Alfa Romeo are too frequently left out. The UK-based publication equalizes the playing field by taking care to shine a fair amount of spotlight on all the brands, carrozzerias and clubs responsible for keeping the Italian marque faith.


MotorSport Magazine is exactly what its title suggests. Whether you follow Formula, Touring, Grand Touring, Production, Spec, Stock, Rally, Drag and/or Historical racing news, MSM is your regular speed fix. First seeing print in 1925 (1924, if you count the Brooklands Gazette year), the publication is the most prestigious all encompassing motor sport magazine available. There really is no substitute. The Facebook page is entertaining in its own right.


RICAMBI Magazine is a major selling point to FIAT Club America membership. Thirty-five USD for an enthusiasts publication, twelve issues per year… and a calendar, is hard to beat. To further sweeten the deal, most RICAMBI editorials are written by members. The magazine began as a newsletter and underwent a radical change when Brett Melancon took over publishing responsibilities. By any definition, RICAMBI is a by the fans for the fans affair.


Local & national club events:


FIAT (and other car enthusiast) events are popping up all over the country… and the world. As one might expect, the main focus of Città Crema Cinquecento Club is our local activity. We list all our planned group activities on the CC5C FB 'Events' page. This makes it easier for newcomers and old pros to keep up with what's going on. We do our best to plan for the last Saturday of every month. 

Of course, we don't have complete control over joint ventures. On the occasion an event does not fall on the last Saturday of the month, we send out email reminders and mention them on the Facebook page timeline. We call these 'Random. Road. Rendezvous.' and emphasize they are not 'official' CC5C events. Last year, we participated in a television news spot for Festa Italiana. We also met for a Formula 1 race, met the Chicago Chapter of FCA at the Barn of FIATs and drove to Oshkosh (for a visit with our Oshkosh members).

Two of our 2014 'Random. Road. Rendezvous.' events made our list of new 'official' events for 2015. Here is a list of fun non-CC5C events you may want to consider adding to your driving activities list this year. I wouldn't be surprised to find one of more of them make our 'Random. Road. Rendezvous.' list during the coming driving season.

Milwaukee Auto Show - 21 February through 1 March

2015 Formula One - Begins 15 March

FIAT On The Dragon & FIAT On The Dragon - Unplugged

Lake Mills Cars & Coffee - First Sunday of every month

Road America - Spring Vintage Weekend - 15 May

Road America - Pirelli World Challenge - 26 June

Road America - Sunset Cruise - 3 July

Milwaukee IndyFest - 11 & 12 July

FIAT FreakOut! 2015 - 15-19 July

Festa Italiana MKE

Toronto ON Canada - Italian Car Day

Reina International Auto & Vespa - Italian Auto & Moto Day

Road America - Vintage Weekend - 18 September

Whatever you and your loved ones do, now or during the driving season, on behalf of all CC5Cers, I wish nothing more than safety & fun in your beloved FIAT. One constant goal, for the automaker, is to deliver the car you need at the price you can afford… with the Italian flair you crave. If you keep up with this blog, you know I believe they've been successful since the introduction of the 1937 FIAT 500 'Topolino' and perfected with the 1957 500 'Cinquino'. 

Today, our club (and your club) maintains the values that commissioned the creation of the original runabout. We are a group of enthusiasts, with a rich range of experience, united by our love of life & lust for Italian city movers.

CC5C at Wollersheim Winery - 2014

Vivere.Amare.Guidare.

Ciao!

@