Fiat has always built fast, enthusiastic-looking cars, whether it’s the little 127 from the ’70s or the sleek Punto Turbo from the’ 90s, the combination of sleek Italian styling and rev-hungry engines has made the brand popular with riders. drivers from all over the world for as long as one can remember. Combine this intrinsic driveability with elegant coupe styling and you have some of the most enigmatic and unforgettable coupes of recent times. The sleek 124 CoupĂ© was the car to have in the ’70s, with its luscious 1.8-liter dual-cam engine and seductive clean lines. By comparison, Volkswagen at the time was still building the air-cooled Beetle and finalizing development of the Golf Mk 1.
This tradition continues with the Fiat Stilo 2.4, particularly the ‘Michael Schumacher’s limited edition version. What makes this car so special is that it once again brings together Italian appeal with a powerful engine under the hood and a sense of style that most other automakers are desperately trying to emulate. Worldwide, the number of ‘Schumacher’ Stilos is limited to 3,500 units, each with a numbered plaque on the board. Singapore has been assigned 50 units which will be available from now until the middle of next year.
It goes without saying that fashion designer brands are an Italian creation, and few cars have such an innate style as the three-door Stilo, which by the way translates to “style” in Italian; the combination of sharp, laser-cut lines at the front flows into a dynamic wedge-shaped passenger compartment and is perfectly resolved by the spectacular trapezoidal taillights. The subtle widening of the body around the rear wheels gives the Stilo strong “shoulders” that evoke power and strength. And the way the rear profile leans forward gives the entire car a gripping stance and undeniable forward motion. For even more drama, the Schumacher version has a lower suspension, sporty Zender sill extensions, and sleek 17-inch alloy wheels.
But this limited edition Stilo is more than just a visual appeal. Under the hood, there is a powerful 2.4-liter five-cylinder 20-valve engine that produces an impressive 170 hp. As Audi, Honda, and more recently Volvo have discovered, an inline five cylinder offers the best of both worlds – it’s slightly larger and heavier than a four-pot unit, but provides similar performance figures to those of a direct motor. – or V6 engine. In the best Fiat tradition, this car is insanely fast and feels powerful and lustful, even when pressed. In fact, it just thrives on being pushed.