Fiat Strada

Fiat Strada will be available in Italian dealerships from the end of January 2012. Made in the FIASA plant in Betim (Brazil), the new model will follow in the footsteps of South America's leading light transport vehicle. With no fewer than 127,800 vehicles sold worldwide, the Fiat Strada was the second most popular Fiat Professional model after the Fiat Ducato in 2011.

The Fiat Strada comes in three outfits (Working, Trekking, Adventure) and three body types (Short Cab, Long Cab, Crew Cab) for a total of six different versions. The most important innovation is the introduction of the Crew Cab version (for Working and Adventure versions), which can comfortably carry four people while maintaining a loading capacity of up to 650 kg at the same time.

Equipped with a powerful 95 HP 1.3 MultiJet 16v Euro 5 engine, the model is both versatile and multifunctional. This is demonstrated by the Working single cab version for professionals who are looking for a "purely commercial vehicle". Interesting is the new crew cab version for mixed use allowing up to four people to be carried plus tools and materials.

For the most demanding uses, the E-Locker electronic locking differential is available to help tackle slippery terrain. All these features allow it to compete with larger pick-up trucks but with the added advantage of lower purchase price, running costs and fuel consumption.

Prices (before tax) range from 12,900 euros for the 95 HP 1.3 MultiJet 16v Working Single Cab version to 16,000 euros for the top-of-the-range 95 HP 1.3 MultiJet 16v Adventure Crew Cab version.

The style conveys the image of a strong, dynamic and functional vehicle capable of good performance and extremely low running costs. The front end is one of the most noticeable innovations of the new model. The tougher, no-nonsense bumper has a renewed design with two air vents now grouped in a single rectangular box and the new headlights (single-lens for the Working outfit and double-lens for the Trekking). Much more assertive is the front of the Adventure version: painted in matching body colour it has a black grille and chrome-plated inserts framed by an insert which continues over the wheel arch protection. The integrated fog lights are fitted in the lower part.

The Long Cab and Crew Cab versions have lengthwise roof bars and spoiler with integrated third brake light in addition to plenty of room in the passenger compartment.

The overall dimensions of the vehicle are practically unchanged with respect to the previous series: length 4409 mm (4457 mm for the Adventure version), width 1664 (1740 mm for the Adventure versions) and a wheelbase of 2718 mm.

The Fiat Strada inside plenty of comfort inside for occupants and is very carefully designed throughout. This is demonstrated by the new upholstery, the brand-new dashboard and the original clear, easy-to-read instruments. Ergonomic, antisubmarining seats, the height-adjustable steering wheel (standard on Trekking and Adventure) and the climate control system (standard on Adventure) make travelling and working on the Fiat Strada even more pleasant, comfortable and safe.

Load compartment

A strong point of the Fiat Strada is its large rear box, which is 1685 mm long (1332 mm on long cab versions, 1082 on crew cab versions), and 1300 mm wide (1070 mm between wheel arches). Large and with a regular shape to make it easy to exploit to the full, it is provided with scratch-resistant protective lining designed to withstand extreme temperatures.

Robust hooks used to fix the transported objects in total safety are arranged on the sides and bottom of the box and intelligently placed, so as not to hinder loading and unloading operations. Access to the load compartment is also facilitated by the rear board, covered in non-slip material which can be folded by 90° and now even removable. It can bear a weight of 300 kg. The payload including driver ranges from 630 to 705 kg according to the version, while the gross vehicle weight is 1915 kg. The towable weight is 1000 kg.

Engine

The Fiat Strada is up for any challenge with its brilliant 1.3 MultiJet 16v Euro 5 engine, which delivers a maximum power of 95 HP and a torque of 200 Nm (20.4 kgm at 1500 rpm).

Equipped with variable geometry turbocharger and intercooler, the engine ensures excellent performance with low running costs. Consumption is virtually the same as the previous Euro 4 85 HP engine (up to 5.3 litre/100 km in the combined cycle). This is even more remarkable when compared to that of the bulky pick-up trucks made by competitors which all link high consumption to high power.

Range

The Fiat Strada offers plenty of standard equipment: new instruments with trip computer, height-adjustable steering wheel (on Trekking and Adventure), door mirror manually adjustable from the inside and ABS. Additional standard features of the Fiat Strada Adventure include climate control system, fog lights, alloy wheels with 205/65 R15 oversized, lug tread tyres.

For extra versatility on the most demanding missions, Adventure versions come with a new standard electronic locking differential called E-Locker to effectively assist tackling slippery terrain in general, where the extremely performance typically offered by a 4X4 is not needed.

In detail, the system can lock the front differential, providing all the available torque to the wheel with the best grip to get the vehicle out of tricky situations: "off-road-like" performance combined with all the winning features of a 4x2. The E-Locker is convenient because it does not imply the extra costs of four-wheel drive, it does not penalise tare and payload and it has no impact on consumption and running costs (because the vehicle consumes like a 4x2 when the system is off). Proof of the Adventure's off-road personality is the dashboard which, on E-Locker versions, is complemented by a supplementary compass and roll and pitch meter instrument.

Finally, when it comes to comfort, the Fiat Strada has a long list of optional equipment for customising your vehicle: radio with CD player, climate control system, sun roof, leather steering wheel (Adventure only) and alloy rims