Autobild reports that Fiat would launch a revamped
version of the Fiat Argo as the next-gen Fiat Punto in late 2018. The European
version would have more Fiat Tipo-inspired design tweaks and one can also
expect higher comfort, convenience, safety and driver assistance features over
the Argo.
Fiat may need to redo the interior and make
structural changes for adequate crash protection as it goes up against models
which have a 4- or 5-star NCAP rating. The Argo rides on a heavily repurposed
Fiat Palio platform and was developed not in an Italian facility, but in Betim,
Minas Gerais in Brazil.
The Fiat Argo is now on sale in Brazil and available
in three grades: Drive, Precision and HGT and a Mopar Opening Edition limited-run
model based on the HGT grade. Seven mechanical configurations of the standard
Argo are available, with 1.0-litre Firefly Flex, 1.3-litre FireFly Flex and
1.8-litre FireFly Flex bi-fuel (petrol-ethanol) engines and 5-speed manual,
5-speed automated manual and 6-speed automatic transmissions.
Equipment highlights include LED signature lights,
16-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry, stop-start engine system, cruise control,
automatic climate control, ambient lights, 7-inch instrument panel, 7.0-inch
UCONNECT touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and
voice recognition, rear-view camera and a sound system with four speakers and
two tweeters.
The fourth-gen Fiat Punto’s European launch would
also open avenues for its replacement in India, if FCA India resolves to keep
the Fiat brand alive.