Fiat wants to appeal to young families with its recently launched Tipo Cross, which is an SUV-styled hatchback that offers a higher driving position.
Fiat said target buyers for the Tipo Cross have a dynamic lifestyle. They seek functionality and space but also want a car that is stylish and affordable. The starting price in Italy is 21,500 euros ($26,200). The price is 19,792 euros after dealer discounts, and it down to 18,968 euros when purchasing the car online through Fiat’s e-Shop.
Fiat aims high-riding Tipo Cross at frugal adventure lovers
Fiat aims to lure younger buyers with the Tipo Cross’s SUV-like features that include a front bumper that has a more muscular look than its sibling models.
The Basics
Market launch: Fourth quarter 2020
Base price: 21,500 euros (Italy)
Where built: Bursa, Turkey
Main rivals: Dacia Sandero Stepway, Skoda Scala, Kia XCeed, Ford Focus Active
The Tipo Cross is 18mm (0.7 inches) longer, 10mm (0.39 inches) wider and 61mm (2.4 inches) taller than the Tipo hatchback because of the addition of roof bars, different tire and wheel combinations and a re-calibrated suspension.
The Italian automaker expects the Tipo Cross to help it reduce its reliance on its home market for sales as 75 percent of all Tipos are sold outside Italy last month, Fiat Europe brand boss Luca Napolitano said in an online presentation.
European sales of the Tipo, meanwhile, fell 37 percent to 47,055 in the first 11 months of 2020, according to JATO Dynamics. The Tipo slipped to 11th in the compact segment in the first half from 10th in 2019.
Fast facts
Versions: The Tipo Cross – an SUV-styled hatchback - joins the range’s traditional hatchback, 4-door sedan and station wagon variants.
Engines: Three engines are available: a 1.0-liter, three-cylinder, turbocharged gasoline unit with 99 hp, and two four-cylinder turbodiesels, a 1.3-liter powerplant with 94 hp and a 1.6-liter engine with 128 hp. The latter comes with a six-speed manual transmission, the other two have a five-speed manual.
Emissions: Emissions: Fiat says CO2 emissions have been reduced compared with the previous Tipo to 121 grams per km from 129 g/km under the WLTP test procedure.
New engines, interior features
Like its sibling models, the Tipo Cross is built in Turkey by Tofas, a joint venture between Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and the Turkish group Koc.
The entire Tipo range, which also includes a traditional hatchback, sedan and station wagon, has been updated with new engines, revised styling and improved safety and connectivity features.
The front bumper has been redesigned to give the car a more muscular look, Fiat said. All Tipos now have full LED front and rear lighting.
Inside, an analog instrument panel has been replaced by a fully configurable 7-inch digital gauge cluster, which is paired with the Uconnect 5 radio with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A 10.25-inch central screen is optional as is wireless mobile phone charging.
The Tipo range can also be equipped with a number of advanced driver assistance and safety features that Fiat first introduced on the New 500, including automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure control, traffic sign recognition, blind spot assist and adaptive high beams.
