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Fiat dealers will have a welcome new model line to offer from September with the arrival of the latest Tipo range.
Fiat’s latest attempt at rivalling market giants such as Ford’s Focus and the Vauxhall Astra will be offered in five-door hatch and estate Station Wagon forms, at prices ranging from £12,995 (£13,995 for the Station Wagon) to £19,995.
Reviving a name last used on a hatchback of the early 1990s, the new Tipo hatch is 4.37m long, 1.79m wide and 1.5m tall, the Station Wagon adding 200mm to the length and 10mm to the height due to the standard-fit roof bars.
The Tipo will be heavily marketed on its interior space. Legroom in the car is said to be class-leading, alongside plentiful headroom with the rear seats able to accommodate three six-foot plus adults.
The 440-litre boot of the Hatch is also claimed as class-leading and this rises by 110 litres in the Station Wagon. Thanks to flip-&-fold rear seats a flat load floor is available, able to accommodate items up to 1.8m long. The width of the load bay can also be increased by means of removable interior side panels.
Tipo models will be offered with a five-strong engine line-up. The three petrol units are a 1.4-litre of 95hp, a 1.4-litre T-Jet turbo with 120hp and a 110hp 1.6-litre e-TorQ unit, which will only be available with a six-speed torque converter auto transmission.
Diesel options are a 1.3-litre Multijet II of 95hp and the 1.6 Multijet II turbodiesel with 120hp. This unit, offered with either a six-speed manual or Fiat’s new DDCT six-speed dual clutch automatic transmission, is more efficient in manual form than its smaller sister – matching the 76.3mpg combined cycle fuel economy and producing CO2 emissions of 98g/km, one gram less than the 1.3.
Three trim levels will be available, standard equipment on entry-level models including air conditioning, remote central locking, front electric windows (plus rears on the Station Wagon), body-coloured door mirrors with electric adjustment, six airbags, DAB digital radio, USB and Bluetooth connectivity with steering wheel remote controls, chrome door handles, split rear seats and a front seat centre arm rest.
Andrew Charman
