Fiat Tipo Family Gains New Hatch And Wagon Members at Geneva motor show 2016

Fiat Tipo Hatchback 2016

It’s legit: the frugal Fiat Tipo is on its method to the united kingdom, following its divulge at the 2016 Geneva motor show. It’s an primary auto for the Italian manufacturer, granting shoppers a competencies substitute to the default alternatives such because the Ford center of attention and Vauxhall Astra – and as a result giving Fiat a shot at grabbing some sales in a beneficial, bustling C-section market.

Fiat Tipo Hatchback 2016

Fiat wants extra mainstream revenue: its range is limited to ordinarily 500-derived models and the corporation registered 1917 automobiles in the UK in February 2016. Apart from representing a mild drop when put next with February 2015’s earnings, it is trailing a ways at the back of competitors like Ford (11,513 cars within the same month), Volkswagen (6694) and Vauxhall (7868).

Even upstart manufacturers, like Kia and Hyundai, registered nigh-on 3000 automobiles apiece – leaving Fiat comprehensively in the back of. Whilst automobiles just like the diminutive 500 and recently launched 500X are proving preferred, they aren’t offered in huge numbers. A competitive, equipped and affordable household hatch – forming part of the brand’s new ‘rational’ division – might be simply the ticket to reinvigorate the organization.

Why has Fiat struggled to lift its volumes?

A glance at the company’s line-up reveals all. While it in the beginning seems somewhat good populated, there’s little in phrases of a heavy-hitting volume mannequin – despite the company’s first-rate efforts to spin quite a lot of derivatives of the 500, like the crossover 500X, into busier segments.

That’s not to say its variety is devoid of attraction. Items just like the Panda are first-rate enough but, having been launched in 2011, now feel aged and are throwing in the towel – principally when pitched in opposition to more recent competition such because the Suzuki Celerio and Hyundai i10. And might you continue to consider that the Punto’s nonetheless on sale? That first seemed in 2005 and has been dragging its heels ever due to the fact...

So what’s going to guide the cost?

This, the brand new Fiat Tipo, in an effort to be furnished in hatchback and property varieties. Consider of it as a successor to the Bravo/Brava and Stilo. It’s hoped to fare significantly better, thanks to its unpretentious and low-cost nature. Phrases like ‘classification-main legroom and boot space’, ‘quality roominess’ and ‘extremely competitive’ are bandied round by means of Fiat fits. What’s clear is that this must hopefully prove a rate-powerful, practical and serviceable option – which is what many purchasers are watching for.

It was once designed in Italy and developed in Turkey, where it's now additionally developed. The temporary seems to have targeted in particular on day-to-day usability; the Tipo is said to readily accommodate three six-toes-plus adults in the back, for example, even as the hatchback offers 440 litres of boot area. That’s one hundred greater than a Volkswagen Golf.

The estate boot is an even roomier 550 litres, with the 60:40 cut up-folding rear seats still in position, however no seats-down determine has been certain but. Every also elements myriad useful touches, including a number of storage compartments and a USB port for charging cellular devices.

Cabin ergonomics are reputed to be fine and Fiat makes a detailed word about ‘secondary controls which will also be effectively reached with out the motive force taking their eyes off the avenue’. A delicate prod at the specifically touchscreen-controlled Peugeot and Citroen choices, possibly?