Fiat banks on its new Stilo

By ALASTAIR SLOANE

Fiat will unveil its new mid-sized Stilo at the Genva motor show next week.

The Stilo replaces the Brava and Bravo and will become the key volume model in Fiat's lineup.

The Italian carmaker says the well-equipped new car will be the driving force behind its bid to re-take the crown as Europe's number one carmaker.

Stilo, like the Fiat Punto, comes in three- and five-door versions for a broader market appeal. But Fiat says the variants are completely different - in style, character, length and width.

So is the driver's seat. The seat's height in relation to the road (H point) is lower on the sportier three-door than the five-door. The five-door seat sits higher to benefit ease and roominess.

The five-door is 4250mm long, 1760mm wide, 1510mm high and with a wheelbase of 2060mm. The three-door keeps the same width and wheelbase but is 4018mm long and 1460mm high.

Fiat says it will aim the three-door at customers wanting performance and driver satisfaction. The five-door version with its adaptable seating configuration is all about versatility.

Six engines will be available - four petrol and two common-rail turbo-diesels.

No word yet on when the Stilo will be available for New Zealand, or what models are being considered.

But the new Fiat and Alfa Romeo distributors, Ateco Automotive NZ, want to expand Fiat's presence here.

Another Geneva unveiling, the Opel (Holden) Astra cabrio will almost certainly make its way to New Zealand. The two-door four-seater has an electrically operated soft-top, which can be opened from inside or outside the car via a button on the centre console or remote control on the key. The cabrio was styled by Opel and Italian design house Bertone. Three engines will be available in Europe but the Australia and New Zealand model is likely to be powered by Opel's new all-alloy 2.2-litre four which produces 108kW.

The upgraded Astra Coupe also gets a choice of engines, including the 2.2-litre unit. The car's suspension has been reworked, too. Like the Cabrio the Coupe comes with a 12-year anti-rust warranty.