A change in plans

We had originally planned on renting a compact car during our stay at Villa Ricrio. Upon our arrival at Milan’s Malpensa airport, it became readily apparent that the amount of luggage and people could not possibly be shoehorned into a Fiat Grand Punto or even a small station wagon.

Although the Passat Wagon is available in the U.S., Volkswagen limits the choice of engines to only two – a turbocharged 2.0 liter 4-cylinder or a normally-aspirated 3.6 liter 6-cylinder. While both are great engines, they represent only a narrow slice of the total offered in Europe.

Our Passat was equipped with the 1.9 liter TDI diesel – a 4-cylinder turbocharged direct injection engine that produces 104 horsepower and 184 lb.-ft. of torque. This was mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. Since the Passat was a rental, there were two other features that made it distinct from its American cousins: hubcaps instead of alloy wheels (zip-tied to the steel wheels in a rather quaint custom) and a cloth interior (U.S. versions come with either vinyl V-tex or leather).

The entertainment factor

While 105 horsepower may not seem like much, it’s really torque that you need in the hilly topography of Northern Italy. At 184 lb.-ft., the diesel produces only 16 lb.-ft. less than the 2.0 liter turbo available over here, while the gas mileage – so important when you’re paying over $8 per gallon – soundly trounces the American version at over 40 miles per gallon on the highway. In addition, our Passat was equipped with dual-zone air conditioning, fog lights and parking sensors.

Because of the low horsepower, shifting was frequent, especially as the hills got steeper. Decreasing-radius turns during descents on the many mountainous switchbacks also prompted the requisite downshifts, but the sheer beauty of the countryside made it all worthwhile.

The shape of things to come?

I am, once again, reminded of the similarities in the current U.S. auto market to the market as it has existed in Europe for the better part of two decades. Prices of fuel are high – both for gas and diesel. With the greater efficiencies of diesel – especially for midsize and larger cars as well as for trucks, SUVs and vans, these vehicles, in some shape or form, could find their way to the American market in the next few years.

Two things that differentiate the Ulysse from current mini-vans in the United States (such as the Chrysler Town and Country) are the engine and transmission. The engine is a 4-cylinder diesel, and it’s mated to a 5-speed manual transaxle.

Inside, Fiat has managed to accommodate a total of 7 passengers. Aside from the front two buckets with a small aisle in between, there are 3 center seats (in a 2 plus 1 configuration), that fold and then flip forward, allowing the 2 rear seat passengers easier ingress and egress.

The ride is decent enough for a small van and the manual transmission is absolutely necessary – especially with a full compliment of passengers and attendant gear – to propel the Ulysse up and down the hills of Tuscany.

The Bottom Line

While not the most exciting vehicle to drive, the Ulysse serves its purpose and, like most current Fiats, the overall styling is much sportier than most small vans for sale in the U.S. market.