Fiat Auto SA has increased the cachet of its subcompact range, the Stilo, by adding two five-door derivatives (available in three specification levels).
Fiat Auto SA has increased the cachet of its subcompact range, the Stilo, by adding two five-door derivatives (available in three specification levels).
With the move, the Rosslyn-based company follows up the local launch of the sporty Stilo 3-door and Multi Wagon in November. The subject of a CAR road test in this month’s issue of CAR, the Stilo 1,6 Active 16V 3-dr impressed with its stunning looks, good ride, cruising ability and fuel consumption, but it was noted that the car had vague, wooden steering and a tendency to understeer too much.
However, “the handling (was) very far from being unsafe” and “there will be many who actually prefer (the Stilo’s) soft, absorbent springing”, the test concluded. With this in mind, the five-door Stilo models, which were palpably designed to provide maximum practicality and transport young families, could be the strongest candidates in the Italian manufacturer’s Stilo stable.
The 5-door models are offered with a 76kW 1,6 16v and 85kW 1,9 JTD diesel engines in Actual, Active or Dynamic specification levels. The Stilos are 4,25 metres long, 1,75 metres wide and 1,52 metres high and Fiat Auto SA claim they “pack all the practicality and flexibility of an MPV into a normal 5-door”.
The rear seats of the 1,9 JTD Stilo slide forward and backward, recline and fold down independently with a 60/40 split. The front passenger seat can be folded down to form a table on Active and Dynamic trim levels. The load capacity can be maximized to a volume of 3,33 m3 and in different modular load configurations accommodating different shapes. To recline in the Stilo, one can swivel the left rear seat’s backrest down and fold the front seat to free up additional leg space.
The cabin also has an airline-type folding table pulls down from the front seat squab. Front and rear armrests with interior compartments, a container under the driver’s seat, generous pouches, two bottle holders and five glass holders.
Apart from the although the Actual trim, which offers two multistage airbags, the 5-door range is equipped with six airbags (and additional two are optional), five three-point seat belts with pretensioners and load limiters (a seat-belt reminder is fitted on the driver’s belt that activates a buzzer when the seat-belt is unfastened), five head-restraints and fire prevention system.
Specifications
The Actual specification comes as standard with ABS + EBD, two airbags, a Fiat CODE II antitheft system, remote control, front and rear head-restraints and three-point seat-belts on all seats, electric rearview mirrors, ISOFIX attachments for child seats and a pretensioner and load limiter for the front seats.
Other standard features include Dual drive electric power steering, My Car (car customisation), trip computer and height and reach steering wheel adjustment. Other features include central locking with deadlocks and superlock functions, front electric windows, front cup holders, manual climate control, height adjustable drivers seat, fold down rear seats in a 60/40 split, tie down hooks in the luggage compartment and electric headlight adjustment. Two-tone interiors also come as standard while customers can choose the Daniela seat fabric option in one of the two available shades (grey or blue on cars with a black facia, light grey or light grey/blue on those with two-tone interiors).
The Stilo Active adds the following to the wealth of equipment already present on the Actual: four airbags (for a total of six); radio with CD front loader and six speakers, passenger seat fitted with a tray in the rear of the back rest, 15-inch alloy wheels and integrated fog lights. The seats are also trimmed with Doria cloth in two colours: light grey and light grey – blue.
The Dynamic version offers in addition to the Actual and Active the following features as standard: Leather steering wheel with gear knob, drivers seat lumbar adjustment, storage compartment under the drivers seat, independent sliding and reclining rear seats, rear armrest with oddments compartment, cup holders and ski tunnel, top-quality Ercole flocked cloth on the seats, illuminated vanity mirror, adjustable front armrest with oddments compartment, colour-coded door mirrors, protective side panels and handles, volumetric anti-theft system and 16-inch alloys.
The “innovation pack” offered to South African customers includes a Radio with MP3 player, Easy Go keyless entry, dusk sensor, rain Sensor, parking Sensor, automatic dual zone climate control and two additional rear side airbags.
An electric segmented sunroof (Sky Window), leather interior, rear spoiler and parking sensors are optional extras.
Fiat Auto SA offers the Stilo 5-door with a 36-month/100 000 km dealer warranty (three years on paintwork and five years on anti-perforation) and AA Fleetcare roadside assistance for 12 months. Services are required at 20 000 km intervals.
Prices:
Stilo 5-door 1.6 Actual R154 900
Stilo 5-door 1.6 Active R162 900
Stilo 5-door 1.9 JTD Actual R179 900
Stilo 5-door 1.9 JTD Dynamic R197 900