Thank you for that ... that's gotta be it. Indeed little cars do have huge rims and tires these days as compared to the 80's and 90's and those roads cannot help. It's as if people have accepted such road noise as normal - but I understand bigger rims and tires and there for a reason. You're right about euro roads. I drove through some very nasty side/town roads in Italy - although my own Fiat tire roar is deafening as well on older roads here in the States.
guys of course lancia is better from rover...lancia is one of the best brands in Europe! with delta integrale has taken 6 championships in WRC! its one of the best cars this model! 037, stratos, deltona and other models are one of the best rally cars! Also FIAT is a company that has the best diesel engines and opel (vauxual), suzuki and many other companies buy from fiat diesel engines!
Beautiful car and although tiny for the US market, I think it would do well in the States with Chrysler badging, particularly since the front end is reminiscent of the PT Cruiser which many people miss. But for God's sake - the tire roar is positively ear-drum shattering. What is it today with small cars and so much tire noise? People seem to have gotten used to it because no one comments about it enough in reviews.
It's due to the HUGE (for the car size) rims, I believe those are 16" inch weels which on that size of a car (and on back roads) really don't help. PS: keep in mind that European roads are absolutely god aweful outside of highways.