NEWS ARTICLE
Top Model Jodie Takes First Eco Test Drive
Supermodel Jodie Kidd became the first person in the UK to take a Fiat ‘eco’ test drive in a new initiative designed to highlight the benefits of environmentally-friendly motoring.
Six foot two inch tall Jodie drove a new Fiat 500 to take her eco:test at the start of the new programme, which is being piloted through 10 Fiat dealerships in the Greater London area. If successful, this programme could be rolled out across the UK.
Under the initiative, every customer who visits a participating Fiat dealer will be offered the chance to take an eco test drive. It’s similar to a standard test drive of a new car, but it also measures drivers’ performance in terms of the environment.
“The Fiat 500 is a lovely car,” said Jodie Kidd. “And eco:Drive technology is absolutely right for the moment. People should be thinking more about their driving and the environment – it’s a great idea.”
The test uses eco:Drive, Fiat’s unique technology employing the widely acclaimed Blue&Me entertainment and communications system. Plugging a USB key into the Blue& Me port allows eco:Drive to record information about your driving style. Inserting the USB into a computer then shows how you performed and how you can become a more efficient driver.
The system analyses driving techniques and awards marks out of 100, providing a score on an eco:Index. This shows how efficiently you have driven based on acceleration, deceleration, gear changes, and speed. Step-by-step tutorials then help you improve the score, showing you how to perfect your driving.
Meanwhile, the Fiat Bravo is now eco:Drive enabled, giving the stylish family hatchback the same capability as the 500 and Grande Punto. During 2009 the system will be extended to all Fiat models which feature Blue&Me.
Simon McBride