By Moses Akaigwe 08072100049
“Today, we have started an evolutionary journey by taking one more step in our business as earlier announced in the year. We have listened to our customers and we have – after many months of planning, research and business meetings, finally completed this extraordinary task to make a dream come true, especially in the Nigerian market: Bringing FIAT back home; a product that thoroughly satisfies and excites despite the present economic circumstances and the challenging times.”
That was how the elated Managing Director/CEO Weststar Associates Limited, Mr. Mirko Plath, ushered in the new FIAT Tipo during the media launch of the four-door sedan at the company’s had office in Lekki, Lagos. Fiat is coming back to Nigeria four months after Weststar stirred the automotive market with news of the impeding come-back of the legendary Italian marque, now a member of the range of brands from the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles group.
Hinting that with its Driven by Passion pay-off line FIAT has been keyed into Weststar’s auto stable through which Mercedes-Benz, Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Ram have excelled in Nigeria, both Plath and the General Manager, FCA Group, Weststar Associates Limited, Stavros Diamantidis, confirmed that Tipo is the fore-runner of more FIAT models that would be driving into the local market in the months ahead.
The development, in the words of the Managing Director, is an indication that “this Italian brand promises to match the superior standards set by all the other brands we represent here in Nigeria.”
Here are some characteristics that make the new kid on the block tick:
Tipo’s Exterior: The modern sedan flaunts a 4.54 meters long, 1.79 meters wide and 1.49 metres high silhouette, just as the 2.64-metre wheelbase is an indication to its internal dimensions and comfort. Two alloy rim patterns (16” and 17”) are available with a wide variety of body colours (pastel and metallised) as well as four different interior segments.
Power-plant/Transmission: Under the hood is a 1.6V E.torQPetrol engine with109hp that yields an economical fuel consumption of 15.9km/l. It also comes with a five-speed transmission and a front-wheel drive. Thus, the weight of the engine and transmission is directly over the driven wheels to reduce weight and production cost, improve fuel economy and deliver better traction. According to Diamantidis, Tipo’s is not a typical 1.6 engine, because it gives more torque at a given rpm.
Interior Features: The Fiat Tipo 4-door basic model exudes style with its painstakingly handled simple designs inside and out. The interior comes with fabric upholstery, chrome and gloss black detailing. The instrumental panel possesses a clear and uncluttered design offering all the information needed on a thin film transistor screen. These features are also found in the five-door and station wagon models.
On the inside, Tipo offers 520 litres space in the luggage compartment and 1150 litres when the rear seats are folded back. Other key features include 60/40 foldable rear seats, U-connect system with a 5” colour touch-screen, hands-free Bluetooth system, audio streaming, text reader and voice recognition, AUX and USB ports with iPod integration, controls on the steering wheel and, on demand, a rear-parking camera with the new TomTom 3D Touch navigation system.
Safety/Handling: One of the car’s highpoints in the area of safety is a rigid, lightweight body chassis. This results in lower weight, first-class handling dynamics and impressive strength in the event of an impact.
The Tipo comes with McPherson independent suspension up front and interconnected wheels with lateral dynamic control at the rear. Thus, the suspension system is lightweight, efficient and reliable.
Some key safety features include six airbags and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with Hill Holder, anti-lock brakes (ABS) complete with electronic brake force distribution (EBD), fog light with cornering function and Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). Tipo is capable of a record turning circle of just 11 metres.
Regardless of the speed, the Anti-Slip Regulation System (ASR) uses the brakes and engine control to optimise sedan’s traction even on slippery roads.
On care and support to be provided for those who will buy Tipo and other FIAT offerings in parts of the country, Plath assured: “For all of us at Weststar, we are motivated to provide the best variety of automobile brands and this is why we relentlessly work towards delivering impeccable sales and after-sales services to our customers.”
Though originally an Italian brand, FIAT was in 2014 merged into a new holding company, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles {FCA, with headquarters in Michigan, USA}; an exercise which has globally yielded a more competitive advantage with higher access to new technologies and advanced engineering solutions.
FIAT has since then grown to become one of the most esteemed car brands in Europe and in the US, winning the coveted Europe Car of the Year more times than any other car brand.
In addition to its array of features that enhance safety and comfort, Plath and Diamantidis, believe that the rich benefits of the automotive symbiosis with Chrysler, are other reasons why FIAT, especially the trail-blazing Tipo, would confidently dare the competition in the Nigerian market, and alter the status quo in its favour.