More prosaically, but also predictably, great praise was reserved for road holding: the McPhersons on the two axles, in fact, were perfectly capable of enhancing the intrinsic qualities of the central engine mechanical arrangement; if anything, some warnings were issued so that the feeling of safety present at the wheel of the X 1/9 did not induce someone to go beyond the limits of the car by evaluating their own too optimistically, in which case it became very difficult to remedy without damage.
Consumption was also universally praised: 7/8 liters per 100 km were enough to have fun even on mixed roads, not putting the two young men in excessive difficulty. ‘introduction, in 1978, of the Five Speed version which, in addition to the coveted update, presented a new 1.5-liter engine for 85 HP and changes to the bodywork which, however, caused discussion; in particular the adoption of the USA-type bumpers, a consequence of the fact that the only important market remained for the Fiat X 1/9, and the engine hood which became exaggeratedly rounded.
Inside, the interventions seem contradictory: the shape and quality of the coatings have been improved; On the other hand, the dashboard and instrumentation are trivialized which lose their original originality and certain oddities such as the Fiat Ritmo barrel air conditioning controls and a snakehead-shaped gear lever: both unnecessarily original and impractical.
The car, however, thanks to the unprecedented level of performance, becomes a small sporty Gran Turismo truly enjoyable in the round, so much so that the Americans raise it to the rank of “Little Ferrari” and we, for once, agree with them . In 1982 it changes its name: no longer Fiat but Bertone which, for its part, starts with a flurry of increasingly showy versions called “IN ‘” Lido; VS; Grand Finale, with the occasional lurch towards kitsch.
And it’s a shame for such a nice car; However, it cannot be denied that, from a collector’s point of view, these special series can be very interesting; however, we would choose a Five Speed to travel and a first series, possibly light green, collectible; cost to estimate from fifteen to eighteen thousand Euros for perfect specimens.