This is our first group test without a winner. After all, it’s an informal cuteness contest meant to cheer everybody up in the bleak economic climate. Choosing one car as our Act Cute champion is like picking the cutest baby in the maternity ward at KK Hospital – impossible.
So it boils down to your personality and automotive priorities. If you are fashion-conscious but price-sensitive, the sub-$68,000 Beetle is unbeatable. If you want maximum style with genuine substance and loads of dressy accessory options, go for the Fiat 500. If you crave an exquisite driving experience and sophisticated technology, then the MINI is the One.
If you can afford all three bundles of joy, go right ahead and indulge. As for colours, we suggest Cha Cha Azure for the 500, Mellow Yellow for the MINI One and Harvest Moon Beige for the Beetle. Act cute and don’t stop.
Fiat 500 1.4 (A)
ENGINE
Capacity 1368cc
Cylinder layout Inline-4
Valves 16, DOHC
Bore x stroke 72mm x 84mm
Compression ratio 10.8:1
Power 100bhp at 6000rpm
Torque 131Nm at 4250rpm
TRANSMISSION
Type 6-speed semi-automatic
Driven Wheels Front
PERFORMANCE
Top Speed 182km/h
0-100km/h 10.5 seconds
Consumption 15.9km/L (combined)
SUSPENSION
Front MacPherson struts, coil springs, anti-roll bar
Rear Torsion beam, coil springs
BRAKES
Front Ventilated discs
Rear Discs
TYRES
Type Yokohama S.drive
Size 195/45 R16
SAFETY
ABS Yes
Airbags 7
Traction Control Yes, with ESP
MEASUREMENTS
Length 3546mm
Width 1627mm
Height 1488mm
Wheelbase 2300mm
Kerb Weight 930kg
Power to Weight Ratio 107.5bhp/tonne
Turning Circle 10.6m
BUYING IT
Price $89,900 incl. COE
Warranty 3 years/60,000km
+ Irresistible styling and size, lively driving character, high-quality designer interior
– Ride sometimes bumpy, always busy, numb electric power steering, expensive for a Panda-based car
MINI One 1.4 (A)
ENGINE
Capacity 1397cc
Cylinder layout Inline-4
Valves 16, DOHC
Bore x stroke 77mm x 75mm
Compression ratio 11:1
Power 95bhp at 6000rpm
Torque 140Nm at 4000rpm
TRANSMISSION
Type 6-speed automatic
Driven Wheels Front
PERFORMANCE
Top Speed 180km/h
0-100km/h 12.6 seconds
Consumption 15.2km/L (combined)
SUSPENSION
Front MacPherson struts, coil springs
Rear Z-axle, coil springs
BRAKES
Front Ventilated discs
Rear Discs
TYRES
Type Continental ContiPremiumContact 2
Size 175/65 R15
SAFETY
ABS Yes
Airbags 6
Traction Control No
MEASUREMENTS
Length 3699mm
Width 1683mm
Height 1407mm
Wheelbase 2467mm
Kerb Weight 1175kg
Power to Weight Ratio 76.6bhp/tonne
Turning Circle 10.7m
BUYING IT
Price $92,800 incl. COE
Warranty 3 years/90,000km
+ Chic design, sweet dynamics, much better than old One
– Tardy take-off, tacky exhaust pipe, premium pricing
Volkswagen Beetle 1.6 (A)
ENGINE
Capacity 1595cc
Cylinder layout Inline-4
Valves 8, SOHC
Bore x stroke 81mm x 77.4mm
Compression ratio 10.5:1
Power 102bhp at 5600rpm
Torque 148Nm at 3800rpm
TRANSMISSION
Type 6-speed automatic
Driven Wheels Front
PERFORMANCE
Top Speed 175km/h
0-100km/h 13.2 seconds
Consumption 12.7km/L (combined)
SUSPENSION
Front MacPherson struts, coil springs, anti-roll bar
Rear Torsion beam, coil springs, anti-roll bar
BRAKES
Front Ventilated discs
Rear Discs
TYRES
Type Michelin Energy XM1
Size 195/65 R15
SAFETY
ABS Yes
Airbags 4
Traction Control Yes, with ESP
MEASUREMENTS
Length 4129mm
Width 1721mm
Height 1498mm
Wheelbase 2515mm
Kerb Weight 1234kg
Power to Weight Ratio 82.7bhp/tonne
Turning Circle 10.9m
BUYING IT
Price $67,800 incl. COE
Warranty 3 years/100,000km
+ Lovable looks adored by everyone, practical and comfortable, soft toy response to road rage
– Too girlie for working women, increasingly outdated Golf 4 underpinnings, a trendsetter overdue for replacement
