Fiat Fullback Cross: The Way Of The Wolves

2 July 2018 Redazione News, Tested

FIAT FULLBACK CROSS

THE WAY OF THE WOLVES

Words by Marco Rallo

Photography by Bartolomeo Lazzarini

For once I will be able to say that I have driven for over an hour without gesticulating against those who punctually cut your way, or turn the last second without obviously using indicators. Maybe it’s because I went into the forest for several kilometers – indeed it is certainly for this – but I thought that there was no better place to test the capabilities of the new Fullback, the Fiat pickup derived from the Mitsubishi L200 and available in two versions, including the Cross, just like the one under test, equipped with a series of purely stylistic devices that put it at ease even in the city, where the pure practicality of a pickup could usually feel stranded.

The model I’m driving does not know the word “renunciation”, it is in fact equipped with double cab and automatic transmission, a 6 gears that will not be lightning-fast but that does not make you feel the lack of a manual, not even when the path in front of me becomes more difficult and I find myself using the knob for the central differential lock and looking for low gears. Actually it would not even have been necessary, but I wanted to test everything here and since off-roading is not my daily bread, where the ground clearance (21 cm) and the excellent overhangs of the Fullback would easily overcome any obstacle, I decided to complicate my life putting the special Hankook DynaPro ATM tires in some muddy ditch – after all, getting dirty was an integral part of the mission. But the Fullback Cross is not only able to stand out in the wildest nature, since driving it for several days on the road and even on the motorway has shown as it offers a remarkable ride comfort, being also rather maneuverable in the city. The seating position simplifies maneuvers and the wide shoulder of the tires is a good point when you have to get close to a sidewalk, while there is plenty of room both for the driver and the passenger on your right. Even those who sit behind are not sacrificed, although they cannot stretch their legs like those in front, but the habitability is still to be appreciated, even over long distances. If you need to load something, you have the large floor at the rear, with the horizontal folding door and the exclusive Cross spec that provides an additional structure, which although finished in plastic embellishes the overall look of the pickup.

Returning to the driving impressions, we appreciate the elasticity of the 2.4cc, a 4-cylinder diesel engine no longer new and that despite not being too thirsty, is not even the best friend in terms of fuel consumption, but after all, among the over 5 meters in length and 1800kg in weight, it doesn’t provide excessive figures. The 180 horses prove to be a good compromise, but what accentuates the wide use of the Fullback are the 430Nm of torque, also important if you decide to tow some of your friend out of the mud. As mentioned previously, there is an automatic transmission (the manual is still available) that does its job without infamy, while always on the central tunnel there you find a knob from which to select which wheels you want to use. With only rear-wheel drive engaged you can significantly limit fuel consumption. Grounding traction on all four wheels you’ll notice that the steering, otherwise quite soft and lazy, becomes more rigid and communicative. Finally, the low gears will be useful to get you out when the path in front of you becomes really challenging. The dashboard, despite the presence of rigid plastics and simple buttons, does exactly what it has to do, which is to be usable and precise, just like the satellite navigator touch screen in the middle.

The path is now almost completely gone and I’m moving slowly, making my way through brushwood, trees and surfaces that seem to become more and more insidious. From the top of the driver’s seat I keep the situation under control and my four-legged passengers cannot wait to get off and run free in their natural habitat. After all, wolves have a special connection with the wildest nature and we have used the capabilities of the Fullback Cross to reach the heart of the forest, crossing a pair of wooden bridges that looked like they came out of a typical second night horror movie and surpassing the last house (uninhabited) several quarters of an hour ago. Suddenly the vegetation opens and in front of us there is a clearing with still some small residue of snow. Wolves paw, captured by the smells of the most pristine nature. It is time to turn off the pickup and after having driven in total relaxation, away from traffic, there is nothing left to unleash the dogs and watch them run like crazy. We crossed the path of the wolves, although with a pair of lovely Yorkshire Terriers.