Fiat Auto SA will exhibit one of South Africa’s most eagerly awaited sports saloons and an assortment of MPVs at the upcoming Auto Africa Expo.
Fiat Auto SA will exhibit one of South Africa’s most eagerly awaited sports saloons and an assortment of MPVs at Auto Africa Expo.
According to a spokesman for Fiat Auto SA, the manufacturer’s exhibit at this year’s expo, which will take place from October 21 to 27 at Nasrec in Johannesburg, will have a similar array of vehicles as displayed at the recent Paris Motor Show.
Some of the vehicles exhibited at Auto Africa are due to be launched on the local market soon while others “fall into the medium term plan of South African marketing”.
Fiat Auto SA is to unveil Alfa Romeo’s 156 GTA and Fiat’s Multipla 1.9 JTD ELX and Ulysse 2.2 JTD ELX.
The Alfa 156 GTA has a 3,2-litre 24-valve V6 powerplant producing 184 kW and 300 N.m torque. The car has a 250 km/h top speed and posts a zero to 100 km/h time of less than six seconds.
The GTA’s wheel arches are wider than those of a standard 156 to accommodate 17-inch alloys, and the foglights have moved to the corners to accommodate the wide air-dam. The rear bumper now features an extractor to improve airflow over the car. GTA also has twin oval chrome exhausts.
The new Fiat Multipla will be shown in the ELX specification with a 85 kW 1,9-litre JTD ELX power unit. The MPV’s suspension was recently re-engineered to improve the absorption of road roughness, while rear disc brakes are also a feature.
Latest-generation sensors modulate airbag intervention according to passenger weight and mass, while side airbags safeguard occupants’ heads in case of side impact.
Also on show at Auto Africa 2002, the new Fiat Ulysse 2,2 JTD ELX is equipped with a 94kW 2,2 16v JTD engine. The people-carrier has a series of safety, comfort and telematic devices, which Fiat Auto SA claims “sets it at the top of its category in terms of technology, interior space and flexibility”.
Fiat Auto SA director for commercial operations Greg Levine said: “The Auto Africa Expo is very significant to Fiat Auto South Africa in that it provides the best platform to display our new brands in South Africa.”
