Fiat Qubo news - Take it on the chin - 2008

Wow, that's quite a face. This is the Fiat Qubo, and... well, it's got an unmistakeable countenance, hasn't it?

We've been trying to figure out what on earth it looks like, and the closest we can get - and this is a really, really obscure reference, sorry - is Legion from Red Dwarf. If that means nothing to you, google it. It'll make sense. If you can do better, please let us know.

Anyhow. The Qubo (Italian for 'Cube', innit?) is another of these van-with-windows MPV-things in the mould of the Renault Kangoo.

It's based on the Fiorino panel van - which is itself closely related the Peugeot Bipper and Citroen Nemo (both of which will sport MPV versions on the continent, though not in the UK) and boasts five seats, plenty of headroom and, says Fiat, 'a distinctive personality'. Which, we believe, is marketing speak for 'massive underbite'.

The Qubo will arrive in the UK early next year with the choice of a 1.4-litre petrol or 1.3-litre 'Multijet' diesel engine. The latter looks like a tidy bet, returning 63mpg and just 199g/km of CO2. A top speed of just 93mph might give you some hint as to the Qubo's performance credentials, though.

It should be cheap, though - we're expecting the diesel to weigh in at just over £11,000, while the petrol slipping under 10 grand.

And if you're put off by that face, remember that modern surgery can perform miracles. A delicate scalpel blade, a course of Botox and a lump hammer and we'll have it looking like a DB9, honest.