The street is yours. Or so, at least they pretend. With a focus on design and customization, Audi A1, Fiat 500 and Opel Adam make today the most original street frame. Agile, fun little represent essentially urban art. Of course, understanding differently the style, power and technology. Which one do you prefer?

Seen and unseen. Nothing can be as it seems. Preparations for a new urban “guerrilla” Fiat, Audi and Opel invade the streets today with camouflage suits. Tires, roof bows, adhesives, mirrors, moldings … In their small cars and today everything is customizable. The philosopher Max Ernst said that “art has nothing to do with taste. There is to be tested. ” And the market seems to understand: that each configure your car to the letter.

Today is another scale of values, their flag for example more than 100,000 different combinations proposed by the new Opel Adam, a record. If only 5 years ago we told the strong growth of the citizen segment with avalanche practical, economical cars in response to the crisis, congested cities and tough emissions regulations, shortly after the trend drift exercise in style and exclusivity. Contradictory, but Twingo Renault, Nissan Micra or lost the battle Citroen C1 to new creations infected by the effect Mini, who 10 years later still leads the segment. Go get him.

Mini escrache

Persecution inicióprimero Fiat with its 500, perhaps best represent it. In fact, next to the more functional Fiat Panda, is second in sales. He threw for this, also via retro, reinterpreting its mythical “Cinquino” with an urban very small (3.55 meters of length) But very manageable and exploited: without cantilevers is almost everything battle.

The Fiat 500 thus offers not only a special image, but also a seated tread, a reasonable and proper space for its size (over 200 liters) trunk. Of course, at the same time, a price which, without being as Mini, not cheap: more than 14,000 €, 3,000 more than the Fiat Panda itself and away from traditional urban generalist. and play premium, but then perceived quality do not feel much, even though the Sport refinishing enhances the presentation finished in chrome, and steering wheel, change and specific seats … what seats!

I think the most credible assault on Opel. Adam is the last to arrive, betting this time cutting-edge style but, like the Fiat 500, also as small luxury package. The demonstrates its high performance, padded upper dashboard, a driving position, a few shots and a very good equipment for the segment. Also with details of more gimmicky than sophisticated customization (such as ceiling “starry” leds) But they attract attention … and what you want.

The Opel Adam is, therefore, a longer urban coquettish the Fiat 500 (3.70 meters length), but, yes, more adjusted in size: Small back (a 4 seater, like all), and critical in a tiny trunk (only 180 liters). No bet, therefore, functional practicality, but mobility. With the smaller turning radius, turn streets into a handkerchief, telling imitation of Fiat, with City mode direction to move below 50 km / h with a finger. Oh, and it is cheaper than the Fiat: does not reach the 13,500 €… although it is also less advanced mechanically.

Who does not need to play premium is Audi. Third here in discord, the brand with the four rings he has earned with very care products. And the A1 is an A3 or A4 scale …. Audi head to toe in perceived quality and behavior (yes, also very fair equipment base), the bill reflects (over 16,000 €) but always feeling it as a more sophisticated and higher car … but not in size.

Because even that result in a rolling almost saloon (Also insulating), the 3.95 meters of length and 2.47 Battle (15 cm more than 500 and Adam) did not amount to the Audi A1 travel in a multipurpose utility, as if we would expect. In practice, the Audi A1 trunk only offers more capacity (not much), but the rear seats in exchange less usable by adults its ridiculous height. And it does not escape, and none in the background, the conception of little treat. Although mechanics.

4, 3, 2 …

There is a countdown to see who is faster: This time we talk cylinder. Three different ways of understanding on gas reasonable 85-90 hp, but where one remains today lame. And, paradoxically, the more theoretically. Adam Opel trio open upper block (1.4 liter 4-cylinder) … in practice less then. Because, still, Opel bet on a soft and traditional atmosphere, so nice and efficient between streets and then inconsistent road. No vibration and is very progressive … too. Very flat, its very short exchange developments (All three are manual 5-speed) allow you to move in 4 and 5th welcome in town, but not so improving a weak recovery, hampered by pushing well the greater weight of Adam.

He Opel is thus the slower and little to throw regime to maintain road speed, also the biggest spender; propeller does not match the Opel sportsmanship that gives it its behavior, which he highlights a Excessively fast direction and a very strong reactions, exacerbated by optional 215/55 R17 tires as that in addition to generating more dry pothole include even more direct steering and sports chassis, lowered and stiffer suspension. Opel Adam fun, but not very balanced.

At least not as much as the Audi A1. Engines expert direct injection, low displacement and turbo, Audi kicks off with a 86 hp 1.2 TSI which, although not as bright as the top 105, produces a satisfactory response. It feels very refined from contact with much thrust from 1,200 rpm without even overcome if the legal speed 3,000 … despite enduring stretched to 6,000 rpm. If not because neither rings nor vibrates believe to be in a TDI.

So powerful is the 1.2 TSI as access version you can even developments pulling 25 percent longer than their rivals and remain faster; Audi A1 complement to that already used in basic finish Attraction, seems very balanced. There is neither chassis Sport or S Line package (15 mm debase body and reaffirm suspensions) or 17 inch rim. It complies with 205/55 R15 tires modest, less aesthetic but effective. Because what steps instead this comfortable Audi A1, which generates precise and progressive reactions and what light it is, up to 165 kg lighter than the same A1 2.0 TDI.

is the Fiat 500 friendly and cheerful and informal TwinAir engine. Fiat is one more risk. But below offers a 1.2 atmospheric of 69 CV, your big bet is this modern 2-cylinder, only 0.9 liters and 85 hp… all character. With turbo and variable valve timing, reminiscent of a Ducati, and also bicilíndrica need to take high of regime roll with finesse. Always feeling pushing the throttle, low 2,500 rpm moved many vibrations. It is as if “dragged” before the draft, just remember feeling that other cars at 1,000 rpm.

This becomes especially critical Fiat 500 TwinAir on a Eco mode stealing 10 hp and vibration itself and joins actually empty. Yes, used, the TwinAir is also all verve, with a sound medium more stimulating regime. Again, Fiat 500 strip in emotion than reason with a highly reactive urban motor, low comsumption (Even his rivals if not abuse of over-regime) and very light for a short size. Smaller dimension that led him to be also less plumbed at high speed, less aerodynamic for its height and, thus, Rack also less direct and agile, more body roll; movement that compensates very driveability, good reactions and a direction, being slower, turning mark well … better than Adam Opel. In short, three very different sides of a coin: the exclusive design and citizen who already dominates the streets.