Qubo is Next to Get Fiat’s eco:Drive

As the Italian carmaker promised at the beginning of this year, its eco:Drive software technology is expanding on more vehicles, after it has already been implemented on the Grande Punto, Bravo, 500 and 500C models.

The next in line to get the fuel saving technology is the small MPV Qubo, that will also have a new version called Trekking to debut soon.

Fiat's eco:Drive technology was launched in 2008, free-of-charge, downloadable from the carmaker’s official site and it can be installed on an USB flash drive. After the configuration process is finished, the USB drive must be plugged into the auto PC port and eco:Drive does its job. This means that it automatically analyzes fuel consumption, average speed and gear shifts and provides tips on how to drive more economically and reduce CO2 emissions.

“We want our cars to be fun, but they must also be practical and environmentally-friendly,” says Andrew Humberstone, managing director for Fiat Group Automobiles UK. “Offering eco:Drive on Qubo will help to spread the benefits of this technology, helping drivers to improve their driving efficiency, saving fuel and reducing their impact on the environment.”

There are currently four versions of the Qubo available, with the pricing starting at £9,755 ($15.915) for the 73 HP 1.4-liter gasoline engine up to £12,350 ($20.150) for the 75 HP 1.3 Multijet diesel engine matted to a 5-speed manual gearbox or a semi-automatic six-speed transmission.

As for the Trekking version that we aforementioned, thanks to the Traction+ system, the tire grip is improved, in conjunction with the revised suspension system. The suspensions were raised by 10 cm and the front end of the car got a chrome off road kit. Among other features, the Qubo Trekking will come with front and side airbags, manual climate control and, as an option, the Blue&Me system.