The Fiat Tipo sedan and hatchback have been updated with a new design, new features, and new engine options.
The refreshed Tipo Sedan range is sold in three trims – Tipo, City Life, and Life – while the hatchback guise only comes in City Life and Life grades.
The Tipo Sedan comes in as the most affordable model in the range, at a South African price of R299,900.
What’s new
The Fiat Tipo range has been given a redesigned front grille that features the new Fiat logo, which makes the Tipo the first model to bear the brand’s new badge.
Furthermore, it gets redesigned headlights, a new front bumper, and 16-inch or 17-inch alloy wheels, depending on the chosen specification.
The redesign carries over to the passenger compartment, too, where new fabric seats, a smaller multifunction steering wheel, and a 5-inch infotainment system with Bluetooth are fitted across the range.
“Also worth a mention is the new white backlight for all the controls in the passenger compartment, resulting in a more modern look, as well as the USB port for the rear seats,” said Fiat.
Features
As the entry-level model, the Tipo Sedan comes with manual air conditioning, front electric windows, and 15-inch steel wheels – in addition to the standard features mentioned above.
The manual City Life Sedan adds automatic air conditioning, a leather steering wheel, electric mirrors, central locking, cruise control, a rear-view camera, all-round parking sensors, 16-inch alloy wheels, and front fog lights.
The City Life Sedan automatic variant, on the other hand, swops the 16-inch wheels for 17-inch alloys, and sees gloss black door handles installed. This model also comes with integrated navigation and a 3.5-inch display in the instrument cluster.
The City Life Hatchback is then fitted with the same features as the sedan, but gains LED headlights and daytime running lights as standard.
The range-topping Life Hatchback builds on the City Life’s specification by further offering lumbar support, keyless entry and start, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, and an electrochromatic rear-view mirror.
Engines
The Fiat Tipo range is available with either a 1.4-litre, petrol engine connected to a six-speed manual transmission; or a 1.6-litre, petrol motor with a six-speed automatic transmission.
The smaller engine is found in the Tipo Hatch, Tipo Sedan, and City Life Sedan; while the larger unit is fitted to the City Life Hatch, Life Hatch, and automatic City Life Sedan.
The 1.4-litre motor generates 70kW and 127Nm, sprints to 100km/h in 11.5 seconds, and reaches a top speed of 185km/h.
Combined fuel consumption also comes in at 5.7l/100km.
The 1.6-litre motor produces 81kW and 152Nm, accelerates to 100km/h in 11.2 seconds, and reaches a top speed of 192km/h.
Combined fuel consumption for this powertrain is rated at 6.3l/100km.
Price
The South African model line-up for the new Fiat Tipo is as follows:
- Fiat Tipo Sedan 1.4 – R299,900
- Fiat Tipo Sedan 1.4 City Life – R369,900
- Fiat Tipo Sedan 1.6 City Life Auto – R429,900
- Fiat Tipo Hatch 1.4 City Life – R369,900
- Fiat Tipo Hatch 1.4 Life – R399,900
- Fiat Tipo Hatch 1.6 City Life Auto – R419,900
- Fiat Tipo Hatch 1.6 Life Auto – R449,900
All models are sold with a 5-year/100,000km warranty and a 3-year/100,000km service plan.
Keyword: New Fiat Tipo sedan and hatchback – Starting at R299,900