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FIAT Albea / Siena Models/Series Timeline, Specifications & Photos

Generations: 2
First production year: 2002
Engines: Gasoline, Diesel
FIAT Albea/Siena photo gallery

Fiat introduced the Albea lineup in 2002 as a low-cost, small-sized vehicle aimed at East European customers and improved it in 2005 so the car could fit into the Euro 4 emission standards, which became mandatory starting in January 2006.

The small-sized sedan segment was rising in Eastern Europe. After the Polo Sedan in the early ‘90s, the Clio Thalia/Symbol and the Skoda Fabia joined the bandwagon. Later, in 2004, Dacia (Renault’s Romanian sub-brand) launched the Logan, which became a best-seller. Fiat’s solution was to refresh the Albea lineup and improve it in several areas. Its main asset was the exterior design that was penned by Italdesign, Giorgetto Giugiaro’s design studio. Even though it wasn’t a piece of art, it was decent, and the artist neatly concealed the fact that the Albea was actually a Fiat Palio with a trunk attached to its back.

From the front, the 2005 Albea got a new set of headlights, which were bigger than the previous model. Between them, the automaker added a redesigned grill that sported four slats and the Fiat’s badge in the middle. Depending on the grade, the lower bumper featured a deeper apron with an integrated air intake and flanked by a pair of scoops for the fog lamps. In addition, the hood wasn’t completely flat and featured two creases that visually connected the grille to the windshield.

Giugiaro couldn’t completely conceal the connection with the Palio since the Albea featured the same doors as its hatchback sibling. Furthermore, not all versions featured body-colored door mirrors, and all of them sported black door handles. The base models sat on steel wheels with plastic caps, and only the upper versions received alloy wheels. Behind the rear doors, the automaker added a raked forward rear window and a short trunk. Finally, at the back, Fiat installed a set of wide taillights that were split between the trunk’s lid and the quarter panels.

Inside, the cabin revealed that the car belonged in the low-cost category, especially in terms of material quality. Still, the available two-tone dashboard design and the options could provide customers with enough comfort to suit their needs. The driver fronted a complex instrument cluster filled with a large tachometer, speedometer, and two smaller gauges for the fuel level and water temperature. In addition, a small TFT display showed the odometer. On the center stack, Fiat added the HVAC control unit and the CD stereo that was mounted on the upper side. In the back, the bench seat was suitable mostly for two adults.

Under the hood, Fiat installed a choice of three gasoline and one turbo diesel engine, depending on the market. All of them were paired with a five-speed manual transmission that sent the power to the front wheels.

full description and technical specifications
FIAT Albea/Siena photo gallery

Designed to compete against the Renault Thalia/Symbol and Skoda Fabia Sedan, the three-box Fiat was built in Turkey and sold at a very low price.

In some markets, the price of a car was the most important factor in the buying decision. For those customers, Fiat introduced the Albea in 2002. It was built on the same platform as the Punto. The Italians tried to make the car look as good as possible for its car category and employed Giorgetto Giugiaro to draw its lines.

Despite being a low-cost sedan, the Albea showed a stylish front fascia with a distinctive design. Unlike the Renault Thalia/Clio Symbol or the Skoda Fabia Sedan, it didn't look like a 3-box Fiat Punto. It featured slim headlights and grille, and a tall bumper hosted a smiling, open area on the lower side and a pair of fog-lights. The tall greenhouse and sloped trunk didn't look too good for its size, but it was the best what Giugiaro could do, considering the overall dimensions. Fiat offered the vehicle with 14" steel wheels on the base model, but on the upper trim level, it fitted a set of 15" light-alloy wheels.

Inside, the two-tone dashboard design, with the interesting looking air-vents on the center stack, definitely looked different than its competitors. Not necessarily better, but different. Cloth upholstery and simple seats were installed inside. Due to the short wheelbase, the rear passengers struggled to find some legroom. The power-windows were on the options list, and the same went for the air-conditioning system.

Under the hood, the Albea featured a choice of three gasoline engines that offered up to 103 hp for the most potent version. All of them were paired to a 5-speed manual, but a CVT was available on selected markets.

full description and technical specifications