They acted as consultants on the engines, but the car was actually based on Fiat bits (Ritmo / Ronda).

The Mk1 Ibiza was indeed based on Giugiaro’s proposal for the Mk2 Golf, but this is where the Volkswagen link ends (and weak one at that).

They sell cute city cars based on ancient Fiats only in Italy.

Calling the JWA 917s a Porsche privateer is a bit far fetched. Though technically not a factory team they received a good deal of factory support.

They bought Seat first in the late 80’s, although I doubt the early Ibiza had anything to do with it... more likely the industrial capacity and lower labour costs from a country which (relatively) recently implemented democracy.

It’s not that the 407 Coupé lived in the shadow of the 406 Coupé, it’s that the 407 was horrible and ghastly successor to the beautiful and graceful Pininfarina-designed 406.

Ohoho, no it isn’t.

I see where you are coming from. A bit like the Scenic RX4, technically an MPV but a more serious off roader than many SUVs...

Oh yes they do:

Isn’t a Lada Niva technically an SUV?

There is no need to invent anything. These vehicles already have an acronym. It’s MPV.

You should try an Alfa for a bad turning radius...

There is a saloon version? We only got it as a 5 door.

That’s... a SUV. Or at least a CUV, which is probably about the same thing.

It’s not an SUV because it is actually an MPV.

The Jimny is the car adults have to remember their mountain bike adventures when they were kids.

Nope. Actually it’s just a conventional 4 speed torque converter auto (from Aisin) with a manual mode. Except that the manual mode has a separate position for each gear positioned through an H-pattern.

This already exists. Alfa Romeo called it the Q System.

Those 90’s rear spoilers are horrid.

You do not give a Lancia a nickname. It is a Lancia, not Japanese cute tiny car.