Transportation

Car Review: 2016 Fiat 500X

Published

11 years ago

May 18, 2015

By Frank S. Washington
NNPA Columnist

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., (NNPA) — It was bigger, taller and barely looked like a Fiat 500 from the side. But from the front it was unmistakably the small Italian import that has had some success during its four years in the U.S. market.

The car had the double headlamps, the trapezoidal nose, signature “whiskers and logo” face and rounded clamshell hood reminiscent of the original Fiat Cinquecento on which it is based. But it was a little different.

The roof was rounded; it had more than five inches of ground clearance, which meant that it was more than an inch higher than a regular Fiat 500. That is because the 500X can be equipped with all-wheel-drive. In effect, it is a small crossover and it went go on sale just before summer began.

It has two engine choices: a 1.4-liter four cylinder engine that made 160 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque and a 2.4-liter four cylinder that made 180 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque.

At the time of the test drive, fuel efficiency of the 2016 Fiat 500X had not been finalized. But a staffer said that both engines were expected to get more than 30 mpg on the highway.

The smaller engine is mated to a six-speed manual transmission and the 2.4-liter engine is mated to a nine-speed automatic, the first in the segment. Given the preference of American drivers, we expect the nine-speed automatic with the larger engine to be the volume leader in this market.

Inside, the car featured a body colored instrument panel and a circular instrument cluster display. It was a really clean look with the UConnect information screen featured prominently and the climate controls beneath.

Our Fiat 500X test car was really spacious. There was only two of us but the car looked like it could carry four adults comfortably. Although most of the roads in Southern California are in very good shape, the test car rode smoothly, quietly and the electric power steering responded to driver input well.

We found ourselves on the Santa Monica Freeway a couple of times and the car never seemed swallowed by the traffic. We had a front-wheel drive version of the 500X with the 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine. It had enough oomph to hold its own on the area’s notoriously swift freeway as well as the surface streets.

About that only gripe we had was at times our test car’s nine-speed transmission didn’t know what gear to choose and was a little jerky about the selection. However, we were driving pre-production cars and we’re pretty confident gear mapping has been finalized and it is smooth.

In a phrase, the Fiat 500X expands the brand offerings and gives it a small crossover, which is a growth segment of the market. Of course, Fiat expects younger buyers but this car is about psychographics more than demographics.

The Fiat 500X offers 12 exterior colors and seven what Fiat calls “interior environments.” What’s more, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles’ customizing arm, Mopar, has developed 100 accessories for the small crossover that include 30 exterior graphics packages.

There are five trim lines: the Pop which starts at $20,000, the Easy that starts at $22,300, Trekking starts at $23,100, the Lounge begins at $24,800 and the Trekking Plus begins at $27,100.

We had a 500X Lounge. It had 18-inch wheels, a dual pane sunroof, a premium audio system, lane departure warning and forward collision warning. It was $31,100 including the freight charge. That was the other thing about the 2016 Fiat 500X. Yes, it is a small crossover but it had some big car stuff.

It could be outfitted with an eight-way power driver’s seat, there were three versions of UConnect, it has Bluetooth, a navigation system, voice controls, three drive modes, blind spot monitoring, keyless start and stop, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel and a backup camera. Each trim line had from four to six options.

And there was a choice of 16-, 17-, or 18-inch wheels. The 2016 Fiat 500X was a lot of car in a small but not that small package.

Frank S. Washington is editor of AboutThatCar.com.

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AC Transit Labor Unions Back Director Joel Young

ATU Local 192 Vice President Nathaniel Arnold stated “our support reflects confidence in Young’s leadership and experience as the longest-serving member of AC Transit’s current Board of Directors. His experience is particularly important as AC Transit confronts serious fiscal challenges while working to preserve and strengthen service.

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Joel Young with bus union workers. Courtesy photo.

By Post Staff

In the AC Transit Ward 3 election, AC Transit’s labor organizations have recently expressed their endorsement for Director Joel Young, recognizing his longstanding commitment to public transportation, workforce investment, and the employees who keep AC Transit moving every day.

Those unions include the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 192, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1245, and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3916.

“At a time when difficult decisions lie ahead, Young brings institutional knowledge, longstanding relationships, and a demonstrated commitment to public transportation.

“Since joining the board in 2009, Young has served in key leadership roles, including president and vice president, helping guide AC Transit through periods of growth, innovation, and change.

During his tenure, he helped AC Transit secure more than $600 million in funding to support critical transportation investments. Young has also helped advance workforce development initiatives, support transit technology improvements, expand AC Transit’s zero-emission bus fleet, and strengthen the District’s national presence on transportation policy issues.

His leadership has extended beyond the Bay Area.

Young has represented AC Transit on the national stage, including participation in the White House Roundtable on Clean Bus Manufacturing, where transit leaders and policymakers discussed the future of clean transportation and domestic manufacturing.

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Port of Oakland, Army Corps Sign Historic Harbor Design Agreement

OAKLAND POST — Oakland Port Commission President Stephanie Dominguez Walton called the agreement a historic milestone that will support thousands of jobs. “Today marks a historic occasion for the Port as we sign the inaugural Design Agreement for the Turning Basin Widening Project, which will keep Oakland competitive,” said Walton.

Published

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The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) San Francisco District and the Port of Oakland commemorated the signing of the inaugural Design Agreement for the Oakland Harbor Turning Basins Widening Project during a ceremony aboard the USS Potomac at Jack London Square. (L-R) Major General Jason Kelly, USACE Deputy Commanding General for Civil and Emergency Operations, Oakland City Councilmember Carroll Fife D-3, Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee, Oakland Port Commission President Stephanie Dominguez Walton, Alameda Mayor Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft, Port of Oakland Executive Director Kristi McKenney, U.S. Representative Congresswoman Lateefah Simon D-12, Lt. Col. Virginia Brickner, and commander of the USACE San Francisco District. Photo by Carla Thomas.

By Carla Thomas

A $642 million project designed to accommodate larger cargo ships and strengthen the Port of Oakland’s position as a major Pacific trade gateway moved a significant step closer to construction on Aug. 27.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) San Francisco District and the Port of Oakland commemorated the signing of the inaugural Design Agreement for the Oakland Harbor Turning Basins Widening Project during a ceremony aboard the USS Potomac, the presidential yacht once used by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

The project will widen the Port’s Inner and Outer Harbor turning basins, allowing today’s increasingly larger and longer vessels more space to safely maneuver and turn around. The current basins are narrow, creating delays and operational inefficiencies.

Oakland Port Commission President Stephanie Dominguez Walton called the agreement a historic milestone that will support thousands of jobs.

“Today marks a historic occasion for the Port as we sign the inaugural Design Agreement for the Turning Basin Widening Project, which will keep Oakland competitive,” said Walton.

The agreement advances the project into its preconstruction engineering and design phase following years of planning and collaboration.

Lt. Col. Virginia Brickner, commander of the USACE San Francisco District, said the signing represented tangible progress toward construction.

“We are moving forward. We are showing progress,” Brickner said.

Major General Jason Kelly, USACE Deputy Commanding General for Civil and Emergency Operations, said dredging is critical for maritime dominance, supply chains, and economic competitiveness.

“Dredging sustains our national economic infrastructure,” he said. “The future demands more, the taxpayer deserves more, and together we’re going to deliver.”

For U.S. Representative Congresswoman Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12), the Port project will support jobs beyond its completion. “This will impact workers and businesses, and every shipping container represents multiple jobs.”

Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee described Oakland as a gateway to international markets and spoke on earlier efforts to deepen Oakland’s shipping channel to 50 feet. While serving in the California Legislature, Lee helped bring together labor, business, environmental advocates and Port officials to resolve disputes surrounding dredging and environmental protections.

“We want the Port to remain competitive economically,” Lee said, excited about both protecting the environment and generating sustainable jobs in the region. “We want to make sure that we create good-paying union jobs, and that the Port continues to not just survive, but thrive.”

Port of Oakland Executive Director Kristi McKenney said economic growth is dependent on investments in the Oakland Harbor’s infrastructure.

“This investment and staying competitive will fuel our economy for years to come,” said McKenney.

The Port of Oakland, with its partners, supports more than 98,000 regional jobs and $174 billion in annual economic activity. The Port oversees the Oakland Seaport, the Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport (OAK), and nearly 20 miles of waterfront, including Jack London Square.

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Gubernatorial Candidate Steve Hilton Blasts California New Tire Rules; Newsom Hits Back

Newsom defended the regulations Aug. 19, citing the commission’s projected savings for consumers. “I think it was a good choice,” said Newsom. “Save a billion dollars a year in fuel. Talk about an affordability agenda, that makes sense to me.”

Published

1 month ago

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Gubernatorial Candidate Steve Hilton. File photo.

By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton is criticizing California’s new replacement-tire efficiency standards, arguing they will limit consumer choice and increase costs for drivers.

Gov. Gavin Newsom, however, says the regulations will save consumers money.

Hilton protested the standards Aug. 20 outside the California Energy Commission in Sacramento, where he and supporters chanted, “Hands off our tires.” The commission unanimously approved the regulations Aug. 17, making California the first state to adopt energy-efficiency standards for replacement tires.

“We are done with these bureaucrats and these politicians in our state, making everything so insanely expensive,” Hilton said at the protest.

Hilton said that, if elected governor, he would eliminate or defund the Energy Commission. His opposition to the tire standards is part of his broader criticism of California’s high cost of living.

Newsom defended the regulations Aug. 19, citing the commission’s projected savings for consumers.

“I think it was a good choice,” said Newsom. “Save a billion dollars a year in fuel. Talk about an affordability agenda, that makes sense to me.”

The Replacement Tire Efficiency Program sets limits on rolling resistance, which measures how much energy a tire requires to move along a road. Tires with lower rolling resistance can improve a gasoline-powered vehicle’s fuel economy or extend an electric vehicle’s driving range.

The first phase will take effect in 2029, setting a maximum rolling resistance of 9.1 newtons per kilonewton. A stricter limit of 7.2 newtons per kilonewton will take effect in 2033.

The Energy Commission says the standards will ensure that replacement tires are, on average, at least as energy efficient as those installed on new vehicles. The agency estimates the regulations will save Californians nearly $1 billion annually in gasoline and electricity costs while reducing carbon dioxide emissions by two million metric tons a year.

Some tire manufacturers, however, have raised concerns about the effect on prices and product availability. Goodyear estimates that about 70% of replacement tires currently sold in California would not meet the 2033 standard and argues that the regulations could increase costs for consumers.

The Energy Commission estimates the standards will add about $1.50 to the cost of each tire during the first phase and $6.50 per tire beginning in 2033. The commission projects that a driver with a gasoline-powered vehicle could save about $179 in fuel costs over the life of a set of tires meeting the 2033 standard.

The regulations exempt several specialty products, including competition, winter, used, retreaded, motorcycle and certain off-road tires.