Fiat newcomer to be built in Hungary

IT is the perfect opportunity to showcase a new vehicle.

As one of the official sponsors of the 20th Winter Olympics in Turin in February, Fiat is using the games to catapult its Sedici mini-crossover all-wheel drive into the European market.

A fleet of the small off-roaders, a joint venture with Suzuki, will also be supplied to Olympic officials.

Fiat claims the new hatch is a fusion of different vehicle types, combining the driving satisfaction and handling features of a compact Fiat with the off-road performance of an SUV.

Even the car's name - Sedici - is an indication of its off-road proclivities.

Sedici is Italian for 16, which is what you get when you multiply 4x4 - the common code used to describe off-roaders. The name's as cheeky as it is smart.

The Sedici will be built in Hungary under a joint-venture deal between Suzuki and Fiat with the styling penned by famed stylist Giorgetto Giugiaro. The Suzuki version will be called the SX4 and will be a little brother to the Grand Vitara.

Fiat claims the Sedici stands out from the crowd because of its bold styling, pronounced Fiat grille, and tough protective body kit for off-roading.

The new model is available in two specifications - Dynamic and Emotion - with two engines, an 80kW/145Nm 1.6-litre four cylinder petrol Suzuki engine or a Fiat 90kW/280Nm 1.9-litre Multijet turbodiesel with a particulate filter.

The electronically controlled turbocharger with a variable geometry turbine helps improve power delivery while also allowing high torque delivery at low revs – 90 per cent of maximum torque is available between 1750rpm and 3250rpm.

The car is 4110mm long, 1760mm wide, 1620mm high and sits on a wheelbase of 2500mm and features a MacPherson independent front suspension and semi-independent torsion beam setup at the rear.

Prominent roof racks, a raised ride height of 190mm and chunky, five-spoke 16-inch alloys complete the looks.

Inside Fiat claims the Sedici has room for five and luggage space can go from 270 litres up to 670 litres when the split-fold rear seats are out of the way.

Safety features include six airbags, ABS, electronic stability program and a strong passenger safety cell.

The Sedici’s three-mode all-wheel drive system - 2WD, Auto and Lock - is electronically controlled via a dashboard switch.

On dry surfaces the wee off-roader can be used in front-wheel drive only, on slippery surfaces drive to the rear wheels can be activated at the push of a button while a third option allows all four wheels to be locked into four-wheel drive.