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To emphasise its outdoor character, the Qubo
Trekking offers a special front bumper which
is complete with ground shield, and has been
raised by 20 mm (with 10 mm higher
suspension to tackle rough surfaces). |
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Standard equipment of the Fiat Qubo Trekking
includes roof bars, privacy rear windows and
special wheel arches with 185/65 R15 M+S
tyres. |
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On
the Fiat Automobiles stand in Frankfurt next
week will be the Qubo Trekking the newest
version of Fiat’s "free space" vehicle (which is
itself derived from the Fiorino van) and the new
model targets nature lovers, outdoor sports and
leisure enthusiasts. This original vehicle is
also ideal for the non-conformist driver in
search of substance with a sense of
environmental responsibility. Powered by the 75
HP 1.3 Multijet, and equipped with the new
“Traction +” system, the new Qubo Trekking
offers performance similar to that of a “light
crossover” but with the economic benefits that
only a diesel-fuelled 4X2 can offer (27 km with
one litre of fuel in the extra urban cycle).
Environmental performance is excellent too (115
g/km of CO2).
To emphasise its outdoor character, the Qubo
Trekking offers a special front bumper which is
complete with ground shield, and has been raised
by 20 mm (with 10 mm higher suspension to tackle
rough surfaces). Standard equipment includes
roof bars, privacy rear windows and special
wheel arches with 185/65 R15 M+S tyres.
The key feature of the new Fiat Qubo model is
its adoption of “Traction +”, Fiat’s innovative
traction control system that improves traction
over harsh and slippery terrain and costs far
less than conventional 4x4 drive. “Traction +”
is in perfect harmony with the Qubo concept: a
vehicle designed to let you do whatever you
like, exactly as a multipurpose vehicle should.
The Qubo is as agile as a city-car, as spacious
and comfortable as a hatchback and just as
versatile, but more compact externally and
available at a lower price.
The new
“Traction +” system uses the advanced hardware present on
cars equipped with ESP, but is far more than a simple
extension of ESP. Thanks to special algorithms for
controlling and managing the braking system, the control
unit electronically simulates the behaviour of a
self-locking electromechanical differential. Software
optimisations and the fact that force is applied through the
normal (hydraulic) braking circuit makes the system’s action
more progressive than that of conventional systems. Though
performance is easily comparable, system weight is also far
less. The “Traction +” system is operated by a button on the
dashboard, and can function at speeds of up to 30 km/h.
This is how the system works. Under conditions of low or
zero grip from any drive wheel, the control unit detects
slip and commands the hydraulic circuit to apply braking
force to the slipping wheel, thus shifting drive to the
wheel on the surface offering better grip. This makes it
easy to drive, maintains directional stability and control,
and ensures the best possible traction even over the
roughest and most slippery surfaces.
The new Qubo Trekking is therefore quite unique in its
segment. Merit goes to the model’s original “free space”
concept that combines different seat configurations (up to a
total of sixteen) with rationality and interiors of regular
form. The result is an exceptional large and flexible usable
space. For example, with the seats in their normal position,
the luggage compartment has a volume of 330 litres (to the
height of the parcel shelf), and of 650 litres up to the
roof. But if we remove the rear seats and fold the front
passenger seat to load level, carrying capacity reaches
2,500 litres (a best in class) with enough room available to
load objects of almost 2.5 metres in length (a real record
considering the vehicle’s overall length is only 3.9
metres).
Finally, the Qubo Trekking inherits the already generous
equipment of the Dynamic version. In the area of safety, for
example, this includes ABS with EBD, fog lights, 3 point
seat belts with pre-tensioner and load limiter, hydraulic
power steering, front and side airbags. On top of this, the
new version boasts ESP and Traction +. Finally, Blu&Me with
“eco:Drive”, parking sensors and a CD/Mp3 player with
steering wheel controls are also available.
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