Progetto 327, the all-new Fiat ‘Uno’ which will be built
in Brazil,
has broken cover for the first time ahead of its debut
on the local market, revealing all the Fiat ‘family’
styling ideas that burst from every line.
The new car contains a number of cues
which make it instantly recognisable as a product of the
Italian carmaker. The three cut-outs in the front fascia
hark back to the grille slats in the original Panda, and
the theme is repeated in the Uno badging at the rear of
the car. Although the overall profile of the car is
strongly reminiscent of the current European Panda, the
rear takes much inspiration from the Punto Evo,
particularly in the shape of the tailgate pressing,
tail-lamp placement and rear bumper design. The
headlamps, meanwhile, are recognisably derivative from
those of the Fiorino van.
Moreover, spy shots of the interior
have also revealed strong family links with current Fiat
products, including the ‘cyclops’ instrument pod
reminiscent of the 500, and various pieces of switchgear
familiar to anyone who has spent time in a Panda or
Grande Punto.
But despite the familiar name, the new model – which has been developed by Fiat
Automóveis and
will be built in Brazil – will not replace the current Brazilian Uno. The
latter, known as the ‘Mille’, is still a top seller in Brazil, and will remain
in production until 2014, when changes in
national automobile safety legislation will end its lifecycle. Instead, the new
Uno is set to slot in between the ageing Palio and the Grande Punto, both of
which are built locally.
The nuova Uno revives the name of one of Fiat’s most successful models, with the
original Uno commencing production in Italy in 1983 and continuing to be built
in Europe until just past the turn of the century. Another project to be spawned
off the ‘Mini’ platform that underpins the Fiat Panda and 500, the Uno will be
built in 3- and 5-door versions, and has been developed to a rigorous cost
programme to keep the price below 6,000 euros. A pumped-up, off-road styled
‘Adventure’ version (branded as the ‘Way’, in line with the current Mille’s
nomeclature) will top the range, and engines will comprise the ageing but
economical flex-fuel 1.0 litre from the current Mille, as well as a new ‘Evo’
version of the 1.4-litre 8V FIRE. A Sporting version will also be marketed, as
low-cost ‘sports-trimmed’ options, particularly on the Palio, have been
well-received by Brazilian consumers.
At close to 3.8 metres in length, the
new Uno is around the same size as the Palio, but it promises
to be more spacious inside, and maximising interior
space has been one of the drivers in the project. The overall length sits
almost exactly between that of the current Panda (3.54 m)
and the Grande Punto (4.06 m).
