Marmalade car

A very early start today, out of the door at 5.15 am to drive to Farnborough airport for a flight to Italy. We are here with Fiat, for the international launch of the 500X. It is a new four-wheel-drive 'crossover' that combines the practicality of a hatchback with the ruggedness of a 4x4. Over the next couple of weeks some 700 motoring writers from around the world are experiencing the same event.

On arrival we spent a lot of times in coaches, then hanging around at Fiat's Balocco proving ground, and attending a colourful but interminable press conference. It was heavy on marketing spiel, but this being Italy it was also a visual feast, and the new advert for the car involving a lost Viagra pill is very funny. No driving today though, which was a bit frustrating.

I was amused by one particular assertion during the presentation. "Small cars have been Fiat's bread and butter, but now we need some marmalade." So that is what we will be driving tomorrow. A marmalade car. Just hope it's not too lumpy!