Unveiled in May at the Istanbul Motor Show as the Aegea, the auto will be offered in hatch, saloon and estate versions across Europe, and Fiat has now shown the saloon variant with its Tipo badge. “It will be a test for the market because the [affordable compact] segment in Europe basically does not exist”, says Alfredo Altavilla, Fiat Chrysler’s chief operating officer for Europe, adding the Tipo would face no direct competition.
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The Tipo was last sold in the United Kingdom in 1995.
The original Tipo was built between 1988 and 1995, and won the European vehicle of the Year award in 1989. The symbolic name has been used by Fiat since its earliest days and is now making a comeback on a global model created to tackle the challenges of the future. The new sedan would be looking to capitalize on the positive brand recall to make inroads in the target markets.
Like the Tipo saloon, the hatchback will come with a choice of four engines at launch – two Multijet II diesels and two petrols – with power outputs of between 94bhp and 118bhp.
In addition to the usual mandatory safety features like multiple airbags and ABS, the Linea replacement comes packed with a comprehensive touchscreen infotainment system, automatic climate control, fog lamps, alloy wheels and many more.
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Fiat is to revive its Tipo badge in the United Kingdom, using it on a new family hatch targeting rivals such as Volkswagen’s Golf.
