AdVANtage to Fiat Fiorino mini-MPV - due out late 2008
The FIat Fiorino - a mini-MPV or a van with windows?
Author: Chris Barker
Published: 25 February 2008
Fiat, which only smashed the champagne bottle on the side of its revised Fiorino small commercial carrier last year, has completed the necessary twiddling to invent the Fiorino mini-MPV ahead of the Geneva Motor Show. So look out for a Fiorino delivery van with more seats and windows later in 2008.
Developed in conjunction with PSA Peugeot Citroen, Fiat has at least negotiated the best name rights, as when Citroen weld their corporate badge to this co-developed mini-MPV they're calling it the Nemo; whilst Peugeot buyers will awkwardly have to engage dealers about the finer points of the Bipper.
Bringing together a cornucopia of market segments that in no particular order have been christened city cars, mini-MPV's and latterly panel van crossovers, this trio is undoubtedly part and parcel of the increasing trend for adapting compact cross-overs for perceived family use. Citroen's Berlingo and Renault's Kangoo being trailblazers in this shifting pack.
Lending heavily from the current Fiat Panda's structure, the Fiorino will be available in three versions; alongside the base model, buyers can request the SX and the Adventure.
Measuring a mere 10” longer than a Mini at 3.86 metres, the Fiat Fiorino can transport five occupants comfortably, affording a possible six different seating configurations to eradicate any storage issues.
Powered by Fiat's adaptable 75bhp1.3 MultiJet common-rail Turbo diesel engine or the 73bhp1.4 petrol alternative – producing 140lb-ft and 87lb-ft of torque respectively - buyers have the option of a five-speed manual or six-speed auto box.
With the pros of city-driving versatility, economy, potential road tax deductions and probably value for money far outweighing the slightly unconventional aesthetics and arguable kerb appeal, the Fiat Fiorino - like its Peugeot and Citroen sisters - will be built in Turkey.
Prices are likely to start from under £8,000 when the Fiorino goes on sale in late 2008.
The gargantuan Hyundai i800 large MPV has huge luggage space plus three rows of seats but is simply too vast to be practical as an everyday family car.
One of the more distinctive family transport model ranges is the new Dodge Journey, described by Chrysler as having the practicality of an MPV but without ‘people carrier’ looks.
New Peugeot Bipper S 1.4 HDi 2-Tronic offers UK LCV drivers savings on a plate. A well-worked gear-linkage plate that is, and all for a touch under £9,700 right now.
It is an old and well-used saying but the new Citroen Berlingo Multispace MPV ‘does what it says on the tin’.
New Citroen Berlingo Multispace MPV may just be sub £11K antidote to unpredictable fuel prices and impending road tax hikes, as average UK families look to stem tide of financial uncertainties when choosing people carrier.
advertisement
Cow pats, coffee beans, deceased cats and dirty nappies might not sound the sort of stuff you want to fill your car with, but all have been posited as potential alternative fuels to oil. | 05/09/2008
As more drivers turn to all-road estate cars to fill the gap left by a gargantuan 4X4, MT scouts Volvo, Audi and Subaru to see how the leading lights shape up against one another. | 05/09/2008
Gas guzzling manufacturers suffer as high taxes and petrol prices bite, but bad news for manufacturers could be good news for buyers. | 05/09/2008
Toyota has revealed new images of the new ultra-small iQ city car, which will go on sale in the UK in January from around £10,000. | 05/09/2008
England spinner Monty Panesar becomes brand ambassador for Jaguar and collects a brand new XKR sports car from the Big Cat. | 05/09/2008
|05/09/2008
Toyota has revealed new images of the new ultra-small iQ city car, which will go on sale in the UK in January from around £10,000.
|04/09/2008
Volkswagen’s new Scirocco coupe arrives in UK showrooms this week, priced from a shade under £21K, yet can be yours for £259 per month courtesy of VW’s personal contract plan.
|05/09/2008
New-car and van registrations in August drop 20 per cent over the month, used car values are worst since early-90s recession. The recession hits the UK car market.
|05/09/2008
Cow pats, coffee beans, deceased cats and dirty nappies might not sound the sort of stuff you want to fill your car with, but all have been posited as potential alternative fuels to oil.
|04/09/2008
Hyundai rolling up to Paris Motor Show brimming with new models and concepts. Like the world debut-making Hyundai i20 supermini, and all-new Santa Fe petrol-electric hybrid SUV crossover and ix55 SUV.
|20/11/2007
Around 400 people a day risk damaging their car by misfuelling, and filling up with gas is a mistake that could cost thousands. So what do you do if you´ve filled up your diesel car with unleaded petrol?
|06/12/2007
Fuel protests similar to those that brought the UK to a halt in 2000 are being planned by a breakaway group of disaffected hauliers, according to press reports.
|14/03/2008
Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond will take the multi award-winning BBC TV Top Gear show on the road, as the live event goes worldwide.
|28/03/2008
Volkswagen has been forced to issue a statement on the Polo singing dog advert after complaints that the dog was mistreated. VW says the animal was not harmed.
|05/01/2007
Using new ´dust-to-dust´ scales that measure a vehicle´s environmental impact from construction to scarpping the Jeep Wrangler 4x4 surprisingly emerged as the greenest car on the market
Search Motortorque:
No readers comments
Be the first to write a comment on this article