The Tipo is terrific!

Yochanaan Coetzee - This past weekend M+Z Motors in Windhoek launched the all-new Fiat Tipo hatchback and its sedan sibling. This follows the vehicle's highly-successful European debut earlier this year.The launch marks the Fiat's return to the medium-compact segment with an offering that appeals directly to the heart of the market, thanks to a simple but comprehensive range that meets customer needs. Designed in Italy and developed over three years by 2 000 people and over 8.7 million kms, the Tipo signals a full-on assault on its highly-competitive segment Among a string of awards, the Tipo also recently scooped the prestigious Autobest “Best Buy Car 2016” award, chosen by a jury of 26 journalists from the most authoritative European car magazines.This is thanks to the Tipo range's value proposition combined with best-in-class passenger and luggage space, as well as its stylish versatility, borne from Fiat's functional family strategy, summed up in the slogan “You don't need much to get a lot”.Not so Tipo-calThe Tipo range was designed with “Skills, no frills” in mind and combines the brand's historic concepts of functionality, simplicity and personality in an extraordinary value-for-money offering. The Fiat Tipo hatchback measures 4.37 m and 1.79 m, standing 1.50 m tall, while the sedan gains an extra 16 cm in length.Locally two body styles, three trim levels, three engines and three transmission types will be available. The sedan will be available in the POP or EASY versions while the hatchback will be available in the POP, EASY or LOUNGE configurations. The engine range offers one diesel and two petrol derivatives that target the heart of the 70 to 81 kW market. The transmissions can be five or six speed manual or a six speed automatic transmission – depending on the engine.Function with FinesseThe exterior exudes dynamism and a subtle ruggedness. The front is enhanced by the chrome-embellished horizontal mesh grille flanked by LED daytime running lights, which further emphasize the Tipo's strong character. The long bonnet adds to the vehicle's presence in both guises, but the rear silhouette of the hatchback is sporty and compact. The colour range comprises eight colours: Ambient White, Breakbeat Grey, Electroclash Grey, Pearl Sand, Magnetic Bronze, Amore Red, Mediterraneo Blue and Cinema Black available on both body styles and a ninth, Sky Blue, is available exclusively on the sedan. Personality, comfort and load capacityErgonomics play a crucial role in making both the Fiat Tipo sedan and hatchback a welcoming and practical family vehicle. The designers managed to capitalize on the interior layout by using the latest ergonomic concepts and through this they've achieved a vehicle that offers not only comfort, but space configuration, accessibility, visibility and the optimal driving position.The Tipo easily accommodates five passengers, even your 1.87 m-buddy, Koos, will be comfy in the front and Katrien, Koos's 1.80 m cousin, won't be bothered in the back either. This combined with some lekker legroom, 1.07 m by Fiat count, makes the Tipo the suitable choice of car for when the economy forces your 30-year-old children back into the backroom at home.The driving position is also one of the strengths of the new Fiat Tipo.The steering wheel position provides the driver with a feeling of safety and control, as does the perfect arrangement of the controls (air conditioning, radio and control panel) which can easily be reached without the driver having to take their eyes off the road or lift their shoulders from the backrest. This combined with the new dashboard layout ensures great visibility and comfort. The interior also features numerous easily-accessible compartments with a variety of shapes and capacities totalling no less than 12 l, perfect for all your gadgets and loose ends. The Space RaceLoad capacity is also quite respectable at 440 l in the hatchback and 520 l in the sedan and thanks to its low and stepless boot sil, getting your mommy gear or golf clubs into the back is a cinch, while two lights, two bag hooks and removable side panels for holding small items, and four load-retaining hooks positioned on the floor provide added convenience.The roller-blind on the hatchback covers the load and can easily be removed and stored under the floor panel. Engines and transmissionsThe Fiat Tipo models offer an updated range of engines in three different capacities with two fuel options. They are the turbodiesel 1.3 MultiJet II, the Fire 1.4 16v and 1.6 E-torQ petrol engines.There are also three types of transmissions: five speed manual for the 1.3 l diesel engine, six speed manual for the 1.4 l petrol engine and a six speed automatic transmission for the 1.6 E-torQ petrol engine.Solid and reliable, the 1.4 16 v Fire is the entry-level four-pot petrol engine of the Tipo family, which comes mated to a six-speed manual gearbox. This engine delivers 70 kW and torque of up to 127 Nm. For those looking for a vehicle that offers maximum comfort, the best choice is the version with 1.6 E-torQ petrol engine delivering 81 kW and 152 Nm of torque, with a very city-friendly six speed automatic transmission.What makes this power plant shine is its light structure, owed to the adoption of exclusive components including graphite-coated pistons which reduce friction and aluminium oil sump among others.The 1.3 MultiJet II engine ensures good performance and extremely low running costs, thanks to the inclusion of the Start&Stop system as standard. The pride and joy of FCA engineering, this engine provides comfort and driving enjoyment. It comes with a five speed manual and develops 70 kW, while the variable geometry turbocharger ensures high torque from low revs and a maximum torque of 200 Nm from just 1 500 r/min.Thanks to independent McPherson struts on the front axle and an interconnected torque beam on the rear, these new models are designed for dynamic driving, solid road-holding and outstanding comfort. Fiat, Italian StyleIn true Fiat fashion, the new Tipo is packed with clever solutions that offer remarkably generous standard equipment along with active and passive safety systems.Fully-laden with latest-generation audio systems, including a hands-free Bluetooth interface, audio streaming, text reader and voice recognition, AUX and USB ports with iPod integration, steering wheel controls and optionally available rear parking camera and new integrated TomTom 3D navigation system.The Fiat Tipo targets the heart of the market offering modern active and passive safety devices such as standard, driver and front-passenger airbags (with side and curtain airbags as an option).Also standard is electronic stability control (ESC). The ESC system includes a number of devices including Panic Brake Assist (PBA), which intervenes in case of emergency braking by increasing the braking force, ABS, traction control (TCS) and Hill Start Assist.Cruise control is also available on certain models.Finally, all Tipo models feature full-size spare wheels.Making it your own Their are about 70 accessories for the new Fiat Tipo range which include everything from roof transport systems for the active among us. You can also spoil the children with a full line of car seats, all specially designed and approved to guarantee maximum levels of safety and comfort and matching style.Pricing starts at just over N$220 000 and for the levels of style, comfort and practicality, the Tipo simply shines. Head over to M+Z Motors to see this family-friendly Fiat for yourself.

The Tipo is terrific!

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Republikein 2025-04-21

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The Tipo is terrific!

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