Fiat Bravo MSN launched

Yes, you read that right. Fiat has launched the Microsoft Fiat. Not a natural fit on the face of it, but I suppose it does illustrate the fact the Fiat has filled this limited edition Bravo with some new-tech widgets.

Which all brings to mind that famous quote by Bill Gates – “If GM had kept up with technology like the computer industry has, we would all be driving $25 cars that got 1000 MPG”

Which in turn brought a response from GM, which took exception to Bill’s statement, and issued a press release countering his assertion, which is worth the read in full:

If GM had kept up with technology like the Computer Industry has, then:

1. For no reason whatsoever, your car would crash……..Twice a day.

2. Every time they repainted the lines in the road, you would have to buy a new car.

3. Occasionally your car would die on the motorway for no reason. You would have to pull to the side of the road, close all of the windows, shut off the car, restart it, and reopen the windows before you could continue. For some reason you would simply accept this.

4. Occasionally, executing a manoeuvre such as a left turn would cause your car to shut down and refuse to restart, in which case you would have to reinstall the engine.

5. Macintosh would make a car that was powered by the sun, was reliable, five times as fast and twice as easy to drive – but would run on only five percent of the roads.

6. The oil, water temperature, and alternator warning lights would all be replaced by a single “This Car Has Performed An Illegal Operation” warning light.

7. The airbag system would ask “Are you sure?” before deploying.

8. Occasionally, for no reason whatsoever, your car would lock you out and refuse to let you in until you simultaneously lifted the door handle, turned the key and grabbed hold of the radio antenna.

9. Every time a new car was introduced car buyers would have to learn how to drive all over again because none of the controls would operate in the same manner as the old car.

10. You’d have to press the “Start” button to turn the engine off.

Which is a a fair response to an unfair statement by Bill Gates. Still, Bill’s still in business. As for GM….!

So, this new Fiat Bravo. You get Sony Ericsson Bluetooth tech, enabling in-car access to the MSN portal. You get the most advanced in car SatNav in the class, which includes Fiat’s Blue&Me and InstantNav. On the non-tech side you get 17″ alloys, Tempesta Grey paint and a leather steering wheel.

Fiat has launched the Bravo MSN to coincide with the Bravo Tour – an International Charity driving event. Entrants are to drive to Fiat’s Balocco test track near Turin from cities around Europe and can win up to £25k for charity by driving with the most care and in the most environmentally friendly way. And to put a few bob extra in the charity kitty, Fiat UK will also donate £20 for each of the first 250 test drives in the Bravo MSN.

The Fiat Bravo MSN goes on sale immediately in the UK at £13,225.