We know the name (Tipo) and we also know the strategy of rolling up the market from the sensitive price side. But this time things could be different, even if the first FIAT dealers are already subject to the long-conditioned tactics of “We are the discount kings” and already attract attention with real “cheap attitudes” before the official market launch. The manufacturer shouldn't like this, but the customer could be happy. Because this Italian is different.
The new FIAT TIPO in the first driving report
the price is hot
€ 10.798 for a FIAT Tipo with daily registration and 10 km on the clock. Quasi a new car. And a car from the C-segment, the classic Golf class. 1.4 liter displacement, 95 HP and the basic equipment “Pop” with air conditioning and radio as well as the meanwhile common goodies a la ZV with remote control and electric window lifters (front). That is € 3.192 less than FIAT writes in the price list. Or differently: 22% discount.
One knows the thing with the daily admissions also with other manufacturers. Fiat serves the discount cravings but with a different means. You reduce the list price for the limousine to start (limited period) equal to even 2.000 €. The 13.990 € becomes 11.990 €. An 2.000 € exchange premium sets FIAT on its own list price.
Three body variants, 4 engines and three equipment levels
The fact that the limousine offers the cheapest entry is due to customer interest. In the Tipo segment (we Germans call it the “Golf Class”), the 5-door hatchback variant is clearly ahead in terms of numbers, followed by the station wagon version, which, however, only we Germans really love.
FIAT offers the latest Tipo generation in these 3 variants. The Spießer notchback, the classic notchback and the Pampersbomber variant called station wagon. Under the hood are engines with an output of 95 to 120 hp. This range is shared by two petrol and two diesel engines for the German market. The “hatchback” and the station wagon were available to us for a first test drive around the FIAT heart of Turin. Unfortunately, the station wagon will only be introduced in Germany in the third quarter, an official price list is still available unavailablesystem. (Stand: 10. May 2016)
The equipment levels are “Pop” for the base, “Easy” ranks above and the lounge variant above. The FIAT Tipo, made in Turkey, lacks nothing in terms of price-sensitive basic equipment. Cheap? Sure, 15 ″ steel rims with hubcaps have become rather unusual on new cars, but hey, it works with steel rims too. 6 airbags are always on board, the exterior mirrors are electrically adjustable and even the steering wheel can be adjusted in two dimensions. In addition, the air conditioning with pollen filter. Seriously, poor furnishings look different. Then there is the successful interior design. If your own expectations before contacting the FIAT Tipo were more in the direction of: “Ah, the Italian is now going to Dacia”, then you have to ask yourself: Why can FIAT offer a complete car at such an attractive price?
The renouncement of “Premium” and the production in Turkey are probably part of the answer.
Not “Premium”, but comfortable!
Black plastic, black fabric seats - yes, it all looks a little dreary. But from the “Easy configuration” onwards, a 5-inch touchscreen system with the “Uconnect multimedia system” from the FCA group moves in, and a TFT display can also be found in the instrument panel. All of this then looks neither poor nor cheap. And then the lounge equipment ranks above it. Whereby the introduction of 16-inch alloy wheels, chrome trim strips and cruise control is then bought at the base price of 15.990 (5-door). Far from expensive. But also no longer to be assigned to the “cheap segment” and the magical € 10.000 limit.
This is how the MultiJet diesel engines go
Theoretically, Fiat offers three gasoline and two diesel engines. The one gasoline engine is very popular in Italy engine for LPG, which has been saved for Germany once. Stay the 1.4 liter four-cylinder petrol engine with 95 PS and the T-Jet with 1.4 liters, turbocharging and 120 PS. The clearly more modern engine. In addition, an 1.6 liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with 110 PS is available for the automatic variant. Unfortunately, there is currently only for the notchback variant.
During the driving event around Turin, the petrol engines were sown rather rare, so we drove the first few meters in the new Tipo in the two diesel variants. Anyone who is interested in the petrol tipo, will have to look at colleagues from other media. Unfortunately.
The two diesel engines, however, are a perfect match for the Tipo. The petrol can only spoil the good first impression. Both the small 1.3 MultiJet with 95 PS and the 1.6 MultiJet with 120 PS are clearly audible. If you remember the price, however, you immediately perceive all of this as "very relative". The 1.6 diesel with its 320 Nm, unlike the 200 Nm “small” diesel, is of course a little easier to handle. FIAT also grants the more powerful diesel a 6-speed gearbox, the 95 PS 1.3 MultiJet has to get by with their 5
We drove both the hatchback and the station wagon version and even if both vehicles have a very simple chassis architecture - McPherson at the front, a twist beam axle at the rear - both impress with extremely balanced handling. Very comfortably tuned, significant body roll, but not susceptible to rough roads and country roads with rough patches. The focus was clearly on the area: driving comfort. The steering can be “assisted” even further for city traffic, the city mode has also made it into the Tipo. You don't really need this support any more than large light alloy wheels with thin but wide tires. The Tipo drives a little like a mobile journey through time. At a time when cars had to be practical and comfortable above all else. When you didn't want to score with pseudo-sportiness. That feels good. That grounds.
Inexpensive: yes, comfortable: yes - but also innovative?
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are not yet in the Uconnect system, but FIAT speaks of a “near future” in which both systems are to be integrated. Great. Especially when you consider that Uconnect is already included in the “Easy” configuration.
City Emergency Brake Assist and the usual 6 airbags are also on board, it joins, who orders the respective tech package, then also like the park beeper set. As I said: Just copy Dacia luckily, despite the price announcement, out of the question.
The 5-door, like a Golf - only cheaper
Who decides for the new Tipo as a hatchback, approved the big diesel and the lounge equipment, which has 20.190 € on the wish list. There is then the 4.37 meter long golf opponents with his large trunk. 440 liters can be packed there in the 5-Türer. A VW Golf with 1.6 liter TDI and 110 PS (5 manual gear) is because just good 20% above. And there you have not even unpacked the price lobe at the friendly FIAT dealer.
Seriously. Of course, the FIAT Tipo as a “golf opponent” is difficult to tag, too obviously one tries not to use the argumentation of talents and abilities in Turin, but purely via the price range. Is that why it is bad? No.
Conclusion: different, because cheap AND Good!
Yeah, it's cheap. Especially the limousine variant, which is not popular in Germany, is available at an almost shockingly low price. The Tipo is well done. A good car. Certainly nothing that gives us sleepless nights, but a comfortable car with solid workmanship (first impression), good equipment (second impression) and problem-free driving behavior. Some people don't want to get out of their car anymore ...
Cheap should he be? New? And FIAT sounds good? Then the TIPO in its three model variants is the right new car choice.
