Remember the Renault Kwid? Yeah, that affordable combo between a city car and a crossover. Fiat has responded to it with the all-new Mobi, a funky A-segment model that wears a sticker price of 31,900 Brazilian reals or $9,065 at current exchange rates. It sort of looks like the cutesy offspring of a Dodge Journey and a Fiat Panda, doesn’t it?
Considering that the Renault Kwid hasn’t yet arrived in Brazil, the 2016 Fiat Mobi gets a head start. This should keep the French company on its toes. Fiat do Brasil has an instant hit on its hands here, more so if you consider that the range-topping trim level of the Mobi costs 43,800 Brazilian reals or approximately $12,455. No less than six trims are available at launch: Easy, Easy On, Like, Like On, Way, and Way On.
Regarding motivation, a 1.0-liter with flex-fuel capability and 73 ponies will have to suffice.
Exchanging gasoline for ethanol sees the output increase from 73 HP and 69 lb-ft (93 Nm) to 75 HP and 72 lb-ft (97 Nm), which is something for a car that weighs as little as 2,000 pounds (907 kilograms). A five-speed manual is the sole transmission option and, as you would expect, the performance isn’t something to write home about: 14.3 seconds to 62 mph (100 km/h) and a maximum speed of 95 mph (153 km/h).
See the plastic cladding around the wheel arches and the black plastic roof rails? Those are exclusive to the higher-end Way and Way On trim levels. Going for the base model gets you 13-inch wheels shod in 165/70 tires instead of the better looking 14-inch wheels wearing 175/65 rubber shoes. The cabin, well, let’s not go there because there’s shoddy plastic everywhere, even though the design of the dashboard isn’t half-bad. The trunk capacity isn’t great either, varying from 7.6 to 8.3 cubic feet (215 to 235 liters).
When all is said and done, the 2016 Fiat Mobi is an honest little car that will certainly appeal to youngsters.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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