Fiat designs a number of bespoke models for Brazil, which makes sense given that this is the Italian carmaker’s biggest market. The latest to emerge is the new Fiat compact SUV that you see here, and it could certainly have global appeal if Fiat ever decided to expand its reach to other markets.
The new SUV’s name, however, has yet to be determined. Perhaps Fiat couldn’t decide on one, but the company has asked its fans to vote for a name for its new high-rider. Participants can choose from three options: Pulse, Domo and Tuo.
Fiat is not saying much else about its new creation but according to Mopar Insiders it will share much of its DNA with the Fiat Argo, which is a hatchback that Fiat designed to replace the Palio and Punto in South American markets.
The publication also reports that Fiat will offer two petrol/ethanol powerplants, in the form of a normally aspirated 1.3-litre Firefly unit with around 74 kW and a new 1-litre Firefly turbopetrol that develops in the region of 97 kW. The latter will also be offered with a CVT gearbox.
It remains to be seen whether this new Fiat compact SUV will ever be sold in markets outside of South America, but if it were ever produced in right-hand drive format it could certainly help boost Fiat’s fortunes in markets such as South Africa. Same goes for the new-generation Strada compact bakkie and its bigger Toro sibling.