The Idea Adventure model has just arrived in Mexico to further strength Fiat’s presence in the growing segment for cost-effective light off-road capable vehicles, and to increase the options of Adventure family as it joins this range alongside Palio and Strada versions.

The Idea Adventure aims to bring to the Mexican market the same successful formula that it has expounded in Brazil, where it has accounted for more than 40 percent of total sales of Idea family since its introduction last autumn: a aggressive 'off road' design with a heavy emphasis on details such as the aluminium bars on the roof, a strengthened and raised ride height suspension, chunky 205/17R15 all-terrain tyres, maximising internal space use with additional storage facilities and greater all-round versatility.

The 'Adventure' range concept retains the base model's two wheel drive format but seeks to offer genuine all-terrain ability at a cost-effective price. This format has already been very successful on the markets in Brazil, Argentina and Chile, while the Strada Adventure model is now being exported to certain European countries.

The Brazilian-built Idea Adventure which is now being exported to Mexico is equipped with the efficient 1.8-litre petrol engine that delivers 110 hp at 5,600 rpm and torque of 17.7 kgm (174 Nm) at 2,600 rpm. Top speed is 170 km/h, and 0-100 km/h is reached in 12.4 seconds. This engine in the Idea Adventure achieves a useful fuel consumption of 11.5 km/lt (urban) and 15.5 km/lt (extraurban).
 

This is the same engine that is offered across other markets of Latin America such as: Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, Venezuela, Bolivia, Colombia, Chile, Argentina, Panama and Ecuador. The Idea Adventure, which weighs 1,305 kg, is 4,142 mm long, 1,713 mm wide, 1,814 mm high and with a wheelbase of 2,510 mm. As well as using a different engine to the European-built Idea, the South American version (which is built at Fiat's Betim plant at Belo Horizonte) uses a different floorpan, suspension and transmission, as well as the interior (including the dashboard), making it - despite the close visual similarities - a comprehensively different car.

Fiat re-launched in Mexico late last year. Mexico is now the fastest-growing new car market in South America and offers huge potential as car ownership grows rapidly. A comprehensive Fiat model range is on sale already including the Palio (2008 version), Siena, Strada (pick-up) and the Stilo M.Schumacher, while the European-built Panda (in 2wd and 4wd format) is also on sale. The Idea Adventure joins the Palio and Strada Adventure models which are already available in the Mexican dealerships. The local price of Idea Adventure has been set at $169,900 Mexican Pesos (£ 7,834).

by Claudio Periini