2010 Fiat Qubo Natural Power Car Review and Specs | 2010 Fiat Qubo Natural Power Car Wallpaper Pictures Pics

Fiat is proud to present the Qubo Natural Power! The new dual fuel (petrol and methane) Qubo confirms Fiats commitment to environmental protection and sustainable mobility. Fiat is convinced that methane currently represents the most appropriate technology for reducing pollution in our towns and cities. Methane fuelled vehicles are also particularly advantageous at present, since methane is not only the cleanest fuel available but also by far the cheapest.

The Fiat Qubo Natural Power is available in two versions, both powered by the same 70 HP 1.4 engine (Euro5). The Active sells at a list price of 16,400 Euros while the Dynamic sells for 17,900 Euros. Thanks to reduced CO2 emissions (119 g/Km), the new methane fuelled Qubo benefits, in Italy, from the highest state incentive (valid until the 31st December 2009 for cars satisfying the relevant standards and registered before the 31/03/10). As an alternatively fuelled vehicle, the Qubo Natural Power attracts an incentive of 3,500 Euros, with an additional 1,500 Euros bonus if you also scrap your old car. This means that a new Qubo Natural Power can actually be bought for only 11,400 Euros. This amazing price can be lowered even further by Fiats special promotions.

Fiat pioneered methane fuelled vehicles over 10 years ago and is now Europes leading manufacturer of original methane fuelled vehicles (OEM) and the first and only manufacturer to offer a wide range of dual fuel models. Fiats ecological "Natural Power" versions satisfy the mobility needs of a vast number of customers and are available in a choice of models, from the compact Panda to the Grande Punto and multi-space models like the DoblÃƒÆ’Â² and the Qubo. This varied and extensive offering has helped Fiat to remain " for the second year running " the most ecological of the 10 best selling makes in Europe, with the lowest average figure for CO2 emissions as calculated by Jato Dynamics, the worlds top name in consulting and research for the automotive industry.

From a purely ecological point of view, methane is the cleanest fuel currently available. Unlike diesel vehicles, methane fuelled vehicles do not emit particulates and their NOx emissions are almost 90% lower. Compared to petrol vehicles, methane fuelled vehicles emit around 50% less NOx, almost 75% less unburned hydrocarbons and 23% less CO2. They therefore make a significant contribution to reducing the greenhouse effect and preventing climate change. And, of course they also allow their owners to enter restricted traffic areas in our city centres, park in enclosed garages and use public ferries.

From an economic standpoint too, the choice of a methane fuelled car represents an intelligent alternative. In Italy, Methane costs around half the price of diesel and petrol, meaning that you can drive twice the distance for the same money. Take the journey from Milan to Rome for example. Driving a Fiat Qubo, you would need to spend 51 Euros in the petrol fuelled version (73 HP 1.4 8v), 29 Euros in the diesel (75 HP 1.3 Multijet) but only 22 Euros to travel the 600 km of the same route in a Fiat Qubo Natural Power.

It is no coincidence that the Italian government decided to promote the purchase of methane fuelled vehicles in 2009 by offering a high incentive (3,500 Euros) in addition to that already available for scrapping an old car. Because their drivers also benefit from a very low cost per kilometre, methane fuelled vehicles are therefore clearly the right choice for today. On top of the advantages listed above, variations in price over the first six months of 2009 have increased the gulf between conventional fuels (petrol and diesel) and methane even further. Since the beginning of the year savings with respect to both conventional fuels have grown significantly, so that by now a journey in a methane fuelled car costs less than half the same journey in the corresponding petrol version and over 25% less than the same journey in the corresponding diesel. In short, there have never been so many excellent reasons for choosing methane in todays rapidly changing automotive market. It is no wonder that methane fuelled vehicles are experiencing record growth in sales: in Italy, over the last 12 months, 7 out of every 100 vehicles registered have been methane powered and over 90% of these are Fiat models.

Safety is another important issue: according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, methane is safer than both petrol and GPL, and second only to diesel. On top of this, OEM vehicles, i.e. those fitted with original systems from new, and manufactured with specially modified chassis using dedicated technology, are crash and emissions tested just like conventional vehicles and boast the highest standards of comfort and safety. And perhaps not everybody knows that as a gas, methane is non-toxic; the methane molecule tends not to form compounds with other elements in the atmosphere and therefore also presents a low fire risk. Furthermore, because methane has a lower density than air, if a leak does occur, the gas simply floats upwards and does not form dangerous concentrations near the ground. That is why methane fuelled vehicles are permitted to park in all types of garage, including underground ones, and are also free to use the ferries.

It is also becoming increasingly easy to refuel with natural gas because the network of service stations is continuously expanding. There are already 692 methane refuelling stations in Italy and another 48 will be opening soon. The section of Fiats corporate website (http://www.fiat.com/) dedicated to methane fuelled vehicles also provides an extremely useful search engine that gives you the address, phone number and opening hours of your nearest methane station when you to enter your own address.

The new Qubo is powered by a 1.4 (Euro5) engine that boasts ultra-low CO2 emissions (only 119 g/km) and qualifies purchasers for the highest state incentive. From the point of view of running costs, the methane fuelled Qubo is a particularly valid alternative to a conventional fuel model (diesel or petrol). In Italy, it only costs 11 Euros to fill up with methane, for example, and 22 Euros of fuel will take you from Milan to Rome(a distance of 600 kilometres).

Another strong point of the new model is its exceptional autonomy: driving on methane you can cover 300 km thanks to a total capacity of 77 litres (13.2 kg of methane at 200 bar) between both tanks. Adding the petrol tank capacity of 45 litres (the same as on the conventional petrol version), the Qubo Natural Power boasts an autonomy of 940 kilometres in the combined cycle. It is worth emphasising that the intelligent positioning of the gas tanks, integrated in the floor (one at the central tunnel, and the other in the rear floor pan), ensures that the luggage compartment maintains an excellent volume (250 litres). This can also be utilised to the full thanks to a special multi-compartment cargo box.

The Qubo Natural Power is equipped with a methane and petrol dual fuel system with two independent circuits. The car normally runs on methane and only needs petrol for start up. After that, it automatically switches to methane. The switch to petrol is only needed if the gas runs out, but in practice you can switch from methane to petrol and back again whenever you want simply by pressing a button on the fascia.

The Qubo Natural Power is equipped with a 1.4 engine, developed and manufactured by FPT (Fiat Powertrain Technologies), combined with a five-speed gearbox and equipped with a phased sequential Multipoint injection system. This special technology allows the methane unit to offer the same performance as a petrol engine. The Qubo Natural Power is extremely pleasant to drive thanks to 70 HP (51 kW) of power at 6,000 rpm and 10.6 kgm (104 Nm) of torque at 3,250 rpm (with methane fuel). It offers excellent performance too, with a top speed of 150 km/h and acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in only 17.5 seconds. This sparkling engine performance is further enhanced by the adoption of a drive by wire throttle control system.

Of course, the Qubo Natural Power is amazingly versatile and practical too: its highly ecological engine and super-safe methane fuel system mean that it can enter restricted Italian city centre areas that are off-limits to conventional vehicles (with higher emissions). The Qubo Natural Power can also park in any garage or multi-storey car park.

Finally, compared to vehicles with after-market gas conversions, vehicles with OEM methane systems enjoy a number of extra benefits. For example, the use of specific materials and components and the application of dedicated technology enable the customer to benefit from a full Fiat warranty, with a first service at 30,000 km. And because the chassis is specially modified in the factory, the vehicle also boasts the highest levels of comfort and safety, with gas tanks that are properly integrated and protected by the vehicles reinforced frame. Last but not least, an originally equipped dual fuel car (petrol " methane) offers a far higher total autonomy and ensures worry-free driving even in areas with a limited network of methane stations.

The Qubo Natural Power comes in two versions, both with 5 seat configurations. The Active is the more essential and informal of the two, while the Dynamic is the more complete and fully equipped. Whichever version you choose, however, you can rely on an excellent level of standard equipment. In Italy, even the entry level methane fuelled Qubo includes ABS and EBD (Electronic Brake Distribution), front airbags, front side airbags, rear headrests, sliding rear doors and electric front windows. On top of this generous level of equipment, the Dynamic also includes a manual air conditioning system, fog lights and a split and removable rear seat. Customers can also personalise their Qubo Natural Power with a wide range of original accessories, like the Blue&Sound pack (including a Blue&MeTM Bluetooth hands free system, a radio with CD and MP3 player and a leather steering wheel with audio controls) and the Style pack comprising roof bars, 16Â alloy wheels and privacy windows. Also available are carpets with embroidered logo, anodised aluminium coloured trim elements, kick plates, iPodÂ® holder and fragrance diffuser. And for your moments of leisure, you can also fit roof rack bars with carriers for windsurf boards, skis or bicycles.

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