FIAT 500 Lounge 1.0 Hybrid 70 bhp

Looked out of the window today?

By the distressed denim of Jeremiah, 'tis a grim sight - and when the weather's not behaving the spirits droop. Then there's the little matter of the post-Covid 'economy', rolling on downhill ever faster and looming like an empty oil drum.

But what's this?

What can I see parked outside on the mansion drive? Just the car that's needed to bring a little ruddy glow of jollity into our post-pandemic pit of despair, that's what. A car that's as bright as a daisy meadow, but rather quicker to respond to the throttle. A car that says hello to the young at heart of all ages. A car that's lively, quirky, cute and charismatic.

Say hello to the £14, 750 FIAT 500 Lounge 1.0 litre Hybrid - a three door hatch powered by a 70 bhp 999cc 3 cylinder turbo petrol engine lightly assisted by a tiny battery that offers an extra push for starting off or accelerating. You don't drive on electric alone - it's just there for when the need arises. Then it releases recovered energy from braking, etc.

There's a manual gearbox with well chosen ratios including an 'overdrive' sixth gear to let you get the best from the lively petrol engine for nippiness and then for cruising in sixth - which it does well even on a motorway. It's capable of near 105 mph and really does return more than the claimed 53.3 mpg; nearly 60 mpg was easily achieved by your lead booted correspondent.

With light and nimble handling, it's a car to zip about in that's as much fun as a MINI or Fiesta. The engine is fabulous and the turbo boost gives a linear surge as you floor the throttle. Not since I stampeded the farmer's cattle whilst escaping from Borstal and running for my life have I enjoyed nippiness so much...

Four sit acceptably comfortably for short hops but even sardines would find it a challenge on a long journey. As stylish inside as it is outside, the 'fun' intent is clear. Good ergonomics, an excellent driving position and comfortable and supportive seats to hold you secure as you explore the limits of the dynamic ability. It's a safe and secure car that you can drive like a roller skate - convincing yourself that you are doing Mach 1 when you are only subsonic.

You have to hand it to FIAT. They bamboozle expectations with the aplomb of a pantheon of spin bowlers. They seem to have a knack for knowing just how far to push common sense and how far to twirl the tenets of taste. Not for them the sombre orthodoxies of the 'We Design a Car to Function Properly. Full Stop' school. It goes beyond the stop. And it's that one-stop-beyond philosophy that tickles the fancy; that tempts that tentative yearning for some plain and simple fun.

FIAT 500s are more popular than ever now, with Brits adoring Italian 'eleganza'. Who wouldn't want to face the brand new day with a 500 hybrid waiting to be driven? Better by far than going to work on an egg, or in a big smelly bus.

Epic Blue was the colour of this vivacious lifestyle chaser, although Fiery Vesuvian Red would have been my choice. Yes, it's just a bit unserious, but when did light heartedness ever hurt?If your heart is not yet an encrusted, dull-thumping thing a 500 ride will buck you up every time. All electronic essentials that might have the old colonels and retired seamstresses frothing at the folly of modern ways are there aplenty. Being long in the tooth also, I just wanted to listen to the purposeful hum of the delightful engine.

The 500 Hybrid is very much a modern car with fine manners so you can take it on the best tarmac - yet it's so streetwise that it thinks nothing of dashing to the chippy on potholed side streets.

These Italians might deserve sympathy for putting up with the Euro, but let's be frank, their motor industry is in good health and the 500 Hybrid bears this out.

Ciao!