The fun-cars have gone a long way. The swinging 60s created a demand for highly impractical yet beautiful cars. It was mainly Europe that latched onto the new fashion and the car acquired a whole-new purpose. Manufacturers like Fiat, MG and many others started concentrating on small cool two-seaters and coupes and the party lasted till the early 1970s when the fuel crisis put a new emphasis on the industry and the cars had to become practical (and boring) once again.
The times have changed, so has the technology. You no longer have to build a fuel-inefficient car for it to be fun to drive. As the modern car designers become braver and braver, we see a positive tendency in the automotive market with the concept of fun-cars resurrected. Small and quirky cars are the new craze – they seem to be getting a lot of love right now from everyone, both customers and motoring journalists.
The new generation of fun-cars is very distinctive. They are mostly small 3-door hatchbacks that may appear oddly-shaped to some, but very stylish to others. They are fun to drive because sporty features are often incorporated. They usually have a bold sporty look, excellent aerodynamics, sporty color and sporty wheels. Even with their small size, fun-cars can be roomy enough to fit in four adults comfortably.
To create fun in driving, they are often fitted with small but nippy 1.4 litre to 1.6 litre petrol engines depending on the model and variant. They are available in both 5 or 6-speed manual transmission or automatic transmission. There are many brands playing in the newly-born category but several vehicles stand out: the Hyundai Veloster, Nissan Juke, Alfa Romeo Mito, VW Beetle and the Mini One.
A car to watch is the Hyundai Veloster. It has aggressive contour lines and an excellent interior. Beneath the bonnet is a 138 horsepower, 1.6 litre GDI Double Overhead Cam 4-cylinder engine equipped with the latest Dual Continuous Variable Valve Timing (D-VVTi) technology. It is equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission or a 6-speed dual clutch transmission. Performance on the road is stellar; you can even get 40 miles to a gallon. When driving, it gives out a smooth, power-efficient force when you accelerate. Thanks to the ever increasing quality and low prices, Hyundai is one of the first choices for people looking for car finance.
The Alfa Romeo Mito is another cool little vehicle worth a look. It is a small car fitted with a patented Multiair 78 horsepower, 1.4 litre entry level petrol engine. Available in Italian racing colors (red, yellow and green), the Mito is quick and fast even with the entry level engine. However, if you want it to be a little quicker off the mark, you can get the 1.6 litre Distinctive S/S 3-door model. Driving and handling is good but the passenger leg room may not be comfortable for taller passengers.
Now, the VW Beetle of course is a legend. The design is classic and iconic, not to mention that it is equipped with the latest safety features. Although the VW is basically a 2-door car, it is included in the fun-car category because it is really fun to drive. The turbo-charged engine can accelerate fast enough but the fuel economy is not that good compared with the Alfa Romeo Mito. Now with the new model recently launched, the previous generation has slightly depreciated. At Creditplus car finance specialists we notice an increased demand for the previous model Beetle. We are sure you will agree when we say that this is probably one of the most fun cars you can purchase on today’s market; especially if you opt for the original Beetle.
Out of all the options, the Nissan Juke stands out as a very original and quirky car. It’s the styling that makes it so desirable. What is it really? A coupe or a 4×4? In fact, it’s classified as a crossover, which means it’s a hybrid of a utility vehicle and a sporty coupe. Although the engine size of 1.6 litres don’t suggest it’s particularly quick, the small Nissan is a very dynamic car. The 1.6 Dig-T version is the one to go for if you’re looking for good times behind the wheel.
Lastly, we have the Mini One – its predecessor experienced the previous reign of the fun-cars. It is a 3-door hatchback with entry level variants as well as a sport variant. The entry level version look almost as good as the sporty One. The difference is in the engine configuration. The entry level comes in a smaller engine while the sports variant comes in 1.6 Liter 4-cylinder DOHC engine. All in all the car looks great and drives very well – that’s why it remains one of the favourite.
These were the most popular models, however, other manufacturers like Fiat, Citroen and Renault are quickly catching up.
MINI UK will put on sale the new family model this August. The vehicle is refreshened both – inside and outside. The range will include two new diesel power units, which achieve CO2 emissions of 99 grams/km and the first MINI Convertible powered by a diesel engine will also make their debuts at the same time.