Photo: Fiat
Fiat has unveiled its plans to launch a new pickup model for the South American market. Arriving in 2016, the Fiat Toro will be somewhere between a conventional truck and an SUV.
Fiat defines its yet unrevealed model as a new market segment called "Sports Utility Pickup or SUP." The single teaser image shows the clamshell hood sitting like a brow for the angry-looking LED headlights. The grille is also a stand-out design feature, and it sits close to the ground.
Of course, we knew all about the Fiat Toro and what it looks like from a couple of spy photos taken on the assembly line. At the time of its discovery, we described it as a Fiat cousin of the Jeep Cherokee, and the idea still holds water.
Last year, Fiat previewed the design with a concept called FCC4, revealed at the 2014 Sao Paulo Motor Show. The name stands for Fiat Concept Car 4, and many of its design elements have trickled over to the Toro.
A conventional unibody will underpin this pickup, most likely architecture borrowed from the Renegade. Also shared with the Jeep model will be a 1.8-liter engine capable of producing around 140 horsepower and running on ethanol. Both two- and four-wheel drive models will be available.
The small pickup market is booming at in Brazil right now. Rival company Renault says around 900,000 light trucks are sold in South America each year. As a result, they've re-engineered the European Duster crossover into a 4-door pickup.
Just like the Duster Oroch, the Fiat Toro bed will be able to carry 850 liters and towing capacity will be 1 ton.
According to Fiat's 5-year plan for the Latin American market, the company will also launch a new Punto, a B-segment crossover and the new Grand Siena sedan in 2016. A replacement for the Palio will follow in 2017.
Of course, we knew all about the Fiat Toro and what it looks like from a couple of spy photos taken on the assembly line. At the time of its discovery, we described it as a Fiat cousin of the Jeep Cherokee, and the idea still holds water.
Last year, Fiat previewed the design with a concept called FCC4, revealed at the 2014 Sao Paulo Motor Show. The name stands for Fiat Concept Car 4, and many of its design elements have trickled over to the Toro.
A conventional unibody will underpin this pickup, most likely architecture borrowed from the Renegade. Also shared with the Jeep model will be a 1.8-liter engine capable of producing around 140 horsepower and running on ethanol. Both two- and four-wheel drive models will be available.
The small pickup market is booming at in Brazil right now. Rival company Renault says around 900,000 light trucks are sold in South America each year. As a result, they've re-engineered the European Duster crossover into a 4-door pickup.
Just like the Duster Oroch, the Fiat Toro bed will be able to carry 850 liters and towing capacity will be 1 ton.
According to Fiat's 5-year plan for the Latin American market, the company will also launch a new Punto, a B-segment crossover and the new Grand Siena sedan in 2016. A replacement for the Palio will follow in 2017.
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