The Tipo family
03/01/2016
Fiat
Since its world première at the Istanbul Motor Show in May 2015 and its presentation to the international press last November, the Fiat Tipo has collected the prestigious Autobest "Best Buy Car 2016" award, chosen by a jury of 26 journalists from the most authoritative European car magazines.
This accolade underlines the model's standout traits of design, quality, comfort and versatility and rewards an exceptional offering that is squarely focused on value for money, a crucial concept in Fiat's functional family strategy, as summed up by the slogan "You don't need much to get a lot".
The debut of the two new models at the Geneva Motor Show completes the Tipo line-up, which represents Fiat's return to the small car segment. It is a simple and comprehensive offering that targets the heart of the market with the Tipo 5-door and Tipo Station Wagon versions.
The stand will exhibit a 4-door sedan in metallic Maestro Grey paintwork with Lounge trim level and the turbodiesel 1.6 MultiJet II Euro 6 120 HP. The model is already proving to be commercially successful, with around 20,000 orders taken in the first two months since its launch.
The Tipo range is completed by the 5-door and Station Wagon versions, which are also shown with Lounge trim level. The Fiat Tipo 5-door will be unveiled in two variants: the 1.6 MultiJet II Euro 6 120 HP in metallic Amore Red livery and the 1.6 MultiJet II 120 HP with automatic dual clutch transmission for the model in metallic Cinema Black. The Station Wagon will be shown in two versions with metallic Mediterraneo Blue and Colosseo Grey livery and Euro 6 certified 120 HP engines under their bonnets, specifically the modern 1.6 MultiJet II diesel with automatic dual clutch transmission and the 1.4 T-Jet petrol engine.
The three styles share the same values but they each have unique personalities as diverse as their respective target audiences, from families and couples to young people.
The Tipo family was developed around the brief "Skills, no frills" and combines the Fiat brand's historic concepts of functionality, simplicity and personality in an extraordinary value-for-money offering.
Personality-wise, the Fiat Tipo projects a dynamic style and a strong character in all its versions.
The simple choices provided to the customer result in a range of engines and trim levels that appeals directly to the heart of the market.
Functionality has been a hallmark of Fiat for more than 80 years and has contributed to a back catalogue of highly successful models. In this case, the carefully designed internal spaces offer unbeatable liveability and boot capacity for this category, as well as great versatility of use, particularly for the Station Wagon version.
In terms of size, the 5-door model is 4.37 m long, 1.79 m wide and 1.50 m high, while the Station Wagon adds an extra 20 cm to reach 4.57 m, with a height of 1.51 m thanks to the standard-fit longitudinal roof bars. The width remains unchanged.
The load capacity under the parcel shelf is top-in-class: 440 litres for the 5-door and 550 litres for the Station Wagon, which also integrates innovative solutions that maximize flexibility of use.
The new car fits a reliable suspension layout for highly accurate driving, brilliant road-holding and outstanding comfort: independent wheels McPherson on the front axle and interconnected wheels torque beam on the rear. The two layouts are optimised to reduce weight and thus contribute to improving the car's fuel efficiency.
In the EMEA region, the launch of the range follows a simple and straightforward logic: three body styles, three trim levels, three engines with three different fuel options and three types of gearbox. Specifically, the sedan, 5-door and Station Wagon will be available in the Pop, Easy and Lounge versions. The Euro 6 engine range offers diesel, petrol and dual fuel (petrol/LPG) solutions. The gearbox can be manual, automatic dual-clutch and automatic with torque converter.
In true Fiat style, the new additions to the Tipo family are packed with plenty of clever solutions that make life better for everyone on board. Like the remarkably generous standard equipment and the debut of the innovative UconnectTM 7" HD LIVE system with a 7" high-resolution colour touchscreen display and a capacitive screen that the user can pinch and swipe just like a tablet.
The latest-generation system includes a hands-free Bluetooth interface, audio streaming, text reader and voice recognition, AUX and USB ports with iPod integration, controls on the steering wheel and, on demand, rear parking camera and the new TomTom 3D built-in navigation system.
The customer will always be connected with the UconnectTM LIVE services available on the touchscreen radio.
Users who download the free UconnectTM LIVE app from the Apple App Store or Google Play onto their smartphone can fully exploit the benefits of UconnectTM LIVE, including music streaming with Deezer, and TuneIn, news from Reuters, connected navigation with TomTom LIVE and the ability to stay in touch with friends via Facebook Check-in and Twitter. Besides savings, users can monitor their car's environmental performance and maintenance status wherever they are with eco:Drive and my:Car.
CarPlay and Android AutoTM will be available on UconnectTM 7'' HD LIVE within the next few months.
Apple CarPlay: Apple CarPlay allows the driver to use their iPhone in the car in the most intuitive way possible. Apple CarPlay perfectly integrates the iPhone with the display and the car's native controls. Now users will be able to make calls, play their music, send and receive messages, get directions optimised for traffic conditions and much more, while staying focused on the road.
Android Auto: Android Auto will give the driver useful information organised in simple sheets that only appear when necessary. This function gives access to: Google Maps with voice-guided navigation system, traffic information in real time, lane guidance; Google Play Music and many other music services; the ability to make and receive calls and send messages while you keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road.
Android Auto and Google Play Music are registered trademarks of Google Inc.
Designed to tackle future challenges, the new 5-door and Station Wagon versions of the Fiat Tipo were designed in Italy by the Fiat Style Centre, developed in Turkey together with Tofaş R&D, one of FCA's largest research and development centres, and made in the Tofaş plant in Bursa - one of the world's best automotive factories, which has received a World Class Manufacturing Gold Medal.
Liveability and load capacity
Like the sedan model, the Fiat Tipo 5-door and Station Wagon variants are welcoming, practical and ideal for comfortable journeys. The designers implemented the most modern ergonomic criteria to define the parameters which measure the car's capacity to respond to the needs for onboard wellbeing and comfort. The final result is excellent basic ergonomics: liveability, driving posture, space reconfiguration, accessibility and visibility.
The Tipo 5-doors and Station Wagon easily accommodate five passengers and even tall people up to 1.85 m in height can travel in comfort up front or on the back row. The secret to this spacious design, particularly on the five-door model, is the regular shape of the rear end, which gives passengers added centimetres of headroom in the cabin. Legroom is also top-in-class: there are 1.07 metres between the edge of the front seat and the passenger's heel and 934 millimetres for the rear seat (the latter value is typical of higher segment cars). Not least important, the rear middle seat has been designed as a full-sized seat offering enough legroom to make any trip pleasant, even for adult occupants.
The load capacity is also class-leading: 440 litres for the 5-door and 550 litres for the Station Wagon. The latter adopts several solutions that increase the convenience and usability of the boot. First, the boot sill is low and stepless, to facilitate loading even the bulkiest of packages. The loading floor is reconfigurable: it can be lowered to maximise capacity and locked at a 40° angle to enable the load to occupy the underlying space. At the sides of the luggage compartment there are two side panels for holding small items, which can be removed to further increase the width of the luggage compartment. The roller blind that covers the load can be removed with one hand and stored under the floor panel. Two lights, two bag hooks and four load-retaining hooks positioned on the floor provide added convenience. Finally, in case 550 litres were not sufficient, the flip-and-fold rear seat with 60/40 split can be folded down to obtain flat loading surface measuring 1.80 m in length.
All models in the Tipo family feature numerous compartments with a variety of shapes and capacities totalling no less than 12 litres, to satisfy all needs. Easily reachable by driver and passengers, these compartments are perfect for storing personal objects, smartphones, game consoles, bottles, coins and much more. Furthermore, there is a media centre for connecting devices in front of the gear lever.
Maximum comfort is also assured by the excellent driving ergonomics and the new dashboard, which provides great visibility. In particular, the driving position is one of the strengths of the Fiat Tipo.
The angular position of the steering wheel gives the driver a feeling of safety and control, as does the perfect arrangement of the controls (climate control system, radio and control panel) which can be reached easily without the driver having to take their eyes off the road. Passengers also enjoy superlative comfort, as demonstrated by the rear row of seats, which is suitably shaped and densely padded to comfortably accommodate three adults.
Engines and transmissions
The Fiat Tipo 5-door and Station Wagon models offer an updated range of engines (all Euro 6 for the European market) in three different sizes with three fuel options. They are the turbodiesel 1.3 MultiJet 95 HP and 1.6 MultiJet 120 HP, also available in the ECO version; the Fire 1.4 16v 95 HP, 1.4 T-Jet 120 HP and 1.6 E-torQ 110 HP petrol engines. Completing the line-up is the 1.4 T-Jet 120 HP dual petrol and LPG engine.
There are also three types of transmission: manual with five speeds for the 1.3 MultiJet and six for the other engines, automatic with torque converter for the 1.6 petrol engine and automatic dual-clutch for the 1.6 MultiJet 120 HP.
1.4 16v Fire 95 HP
Solid and reliable, the 1.4 16v Fire is the entry-level petrol engine of the Tipo family. This engine delivers 95 HP at 6.000 rpm and reaches maximum torque of 127 Nm at 4.500 rpm. The engine, combined with a six-speed manual gearbox, is a straight-four with overhead twin camshaft and direct valve control.
Implementing an optimised fluid-dynamic intake system, it is characterised by particularly high volumetric efficiency across the entire operating range, which translates into brilliant performance and cost-effective running at the same time.
1.4 T-Jet 120 HP
The outstanding 1.4 T-Jet 120 HP power unit is marked by reliability, compact size and an excellent trade-off between spirited driving and running costs. A concrete expression of the downsizing concept, the 1.4-litre engine includes proven technological solutions such as the turbocharger, which ensures good performance and limited fuel consumption without compromising on driving fun.
In detail, the 1.4-litre turbo petrol engine develops 120 HP (88 kW) of maximum power achieved at 5000 rpm and has a maximum torque of 215 Nm at 2500 rpm. This ensures high driving flexibility, reduced use of the six-speed manual gearbox and a great response. This is aided by the low inertia of the turbocharger, which makes it possible to obtain maximum performance with every tap of the accelerator, without the annoying lag typical of this type of engine.
The same engine is available in the dual fuel version (LPG/petrol). Use of the latest technology has allowed us to comply with the stringent Euro 6 standard, increase the available range and ensure performance very similar to the petrol version at a lower running cost, due to the use of a cheaper fuel than petrol and diesel.
Unlike an aftermarket conversion, the 120 HP 1.4 LPG Turbo engine has been designed for integration with the LPG system by using specific materials and components and applying dedicated technology. In particular, the valve seats and the intake and exhaust valves have been redesigned to reduce wear and achieve the same durability and performance as the petrol version. Obviously, in order to attain the ultimate quality and reliability, the LPG system is factory-fitted so that each car is certified, tested and guaranteed by Fiat.
1.6 E-torQ 110 HP
For those looking for a vehicle that offers maximum comfort, the best choice is the version with 1.6 E-torQ petrol engine delivering 110 HP and 152Nm of torque, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with torque converter.
This power unit stands out for its light structure, owing to the adoption of exclusive components and graphite-coated pistons that are optimised to reduce friction and weight. Furthermore, the forged steel connecting rods and aluminium oil sump further contribute to reducing weight.
1.6 MultiJet II 120 HP and 1.3 MultiJet 95 HP
All models offer the 1.6 litre turbo diesel engine, fitted with second-generation MultiJet technology to guarantee an enjoyable drive, great autonomy and low running costs.
The 1.6 MultiJet II develops 120 HP at 3.750 rpm and can be combined with the manual six-speed gearbox or the six-speed dual clutch automatic transmission, which ensures continuous torque and traction delivery. Additionally, by using a variable geometry turbocharger, the engine delivers high torque at low revs (320 Nm at 1.750 rpm) all to the benefit of flexibility. These remarkable results are achieved while respecting the environment-the engine is Euro 6 compliant-and with the utmost attention to efficiency in terms of fuel and emissions: on the combined test cycle, the Tipo 1.6 MultiJet II 120 HP registered 3.7 litres/100 km of fuel consumption and 98 g/km of CO2 emissions.
The 1.3 MultiJet II 95 HP engine guarantees good performance and extremely low running costs. The pride and joy of FCA motor engineering, the engine ensures great autonomy without sacrificing comfort and driving enjoyment. It is equipped with a manual five-speed gearbox and develops 95 HP delivered at 3.750 rpm, while the variable geometry turbocharger ensures high torque from low revs and a maximum torque of 200 Nm from 1500 rpm.
The secret behind both engines is the third-generation Common Rail MultiJet II injection system, the high-tech solution for controlling high injection pressures, whatever the engine speed and injected fuel quantity. In practice, the engine introduces small amounts of fuel (pilot injections) to optimise noise and emissions and, with the main injection, manages the injected quantity of fuel necessary to provide the performance required by the driver, ensuring particularly smooth engine operation in all situations.