Yesterday, the FIAT brand pulled the covers back on its updated Fiat Tipo lineup. The globally popular compact is the basis for the popular Dodge Neon sedan in the Mexico and Middle East markets and has been competing against the likes of the Ford Focus since 2015. However, for the new model year, FIAT has given an update to the popular compact lineup which consists of a sedan, hatchback, and wagon variants, but is now expanding the lineup even further to include a new crossover variant with the Tipo Cross.
The Cross theme will be available as two trims – City Cross or Cross and in a 5-door hatchback body style. The new Tipo Cross also features the new rethought grille treatment, proudly showing off the new design direction of the FIAT brand, which we have seen on other models like the new Strada pickup and Argo in South America. The Tipo is the first European model to undertake the new look, as the new electrified Fiat 500 does feature the logo on its rear exterior, but not on its grille.
With the Tipo Cross variant, the FIAT brand is targeting customers who have changed their preferences of a traditional hatchback and station wagons for the growing crossover segment. Using a similar formula as the 500X crossover, the Tipo has an increased ride height of 4 cm (or 1.5 inches) and a calibrated suspension for not only a more rugged stance but for tackling the backroads or urban terrain. A new set of larger tires and new aluminum wheels also give more confidence while on difficult terrain.
The new setup allows drivers to also have a higher driving position and makes it easier to get in and out of the car. FIAT has said that it also allows everyday tasks like putting children in the rear seats or finding things that might get stuck under the seats.
To add to the tougher exterior treatment, the Tipo Cross gets wheel flares, skid plates, a unique front bumper with a prominent bull bar, side skirts, and a rear extractor. The exclusive new styling elements add a more solid and muscular appearance to the Tipo.
Inside, the passenger compartment has a lot of new goodies as well. The seats feature fabrics will all-new designs. There is a configurable 7-inch thin-film-transistor (TFT) digital cluster found on vehicles like the Ram 1500 that have replaced the conventional analog instrument panel. A seriously higher-tech and more advanced Uconnect 5 10.25-inch touchscreen is also there. We first saw this layout in the all-new electrified 500 city car and now it makes its way into the Tipo.
Even the steering wheel design gets updated to a more elegant a sporter look. It is more compact for better ergonomics and allows the driver to be able to see that TFT cluster with no issue. FIAT also addressed the central control panel, where the air conditioning settings have been revisited and new chrome and black inserts added.
The Tipo Cross also receives Fiat Chrysler Automobiles’ (FCA) latest Advance Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS). This includes the following features…
- Traffic Sign Recognition – to identify the maximum speed permitted on the road the driver is driving on
- Intelligent Speed Assist – which recommends the driver to observe the speed limit
- Lane Control – keeps the car in the lane, also long as road markings can be correctly detected
- Attention Assist – a sensor that recommends the driver take a break when they are too tired to continue to their destination
- Adaptive High Beams – to ensure improved visibility when driving at night, by automatically turning on the high beams when the opposite roadway is clear
- Blind-Spot Assist – which uses ultrasonic sensors to monitor blind spots and warn of any obstacles with a triangular warning light on the exterior mirror of the side the object is on
The Fiat Tipo Cross also gets things like front parking sensors, Keyless Enter N’ Go, and a new wireless charger to recharge your phone without a cable. The wireless charger can even use a 15 kW fast charger with three times more power for the latest fast charging smartphones. With the Uconnect 5 system and its wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functions, you never have to plug anything into your smartphone again in order to use the features on it while driving. The Uconnect 5 system will even store up to 5 custom configuration settings to allow 5 people to use the vehicle and not have to readjust their settings between usages.
The Tipo and Tipo Cross models have also received an updated powertrain lineup going into the model year. There are both gasoline and diesel offerings for the European market. For gasoline buyers, there is the new 1.0-liter GSE-T3 (Global Small Engine – Turbocharged Three-Cylinder) that makes 100 horsepower and delivers peak torque as high as 190 Nm (or 140 ft.-lb.) of torque at only 1,500 rpm. The GME-T3 offers 5 horsepower and 63 Nm (or 47 ft.-lb.) of torque more than the outgoing 1.4-liter engine and at 3,000 less rpm.
The 1.0-liter GSE-T3 is part of the FireFly turbo engine family, the most up-to-date engine for performance, paired with seriously lower consumption and emissions. The new engine ensures driving pleasure while providing low CO2 emissions to meet the requirements throughout the European region.
For diesel buyers, the Euro 6D Final-compliant Multijet diesel engines offer two power ratings for the Tipo lineup. There are 95 horsepower and 130 horsepower variants, with considerable improvement in performance and CO2 values. FIAT says that the 130 horsepower 1.6-liter Multijet diesel is the ideal engine for commercial fleets.
Due to the ongoing pandemic, Mopar is offering its D-Fence package across the Tipo lineup. The package consists of three devices…
- A filter that stops impurities getting into the car from the outside, blocks particulates and practically 100% of allergens and reduces the formation of mold and bacteria by 98%
- A purifier for the air inside the passenger compartment, which filters out micro-particles such as pollen or bacteria
- A UV lamp to cleanse all the contact surfaces in the car such as the steering wheel, the gear shifter, and the seats
The Fiat Tipo has become one of the most admired models in its segment across Europe. It has contributed to the performance of the FIAT brand with more than 70% of its sales volumes in markets outside of Italy. Since its launch in late 2015, there has been a total of 670,000 models sold, achieving the highest sales of the compact car in 2019. Our bet is safe to say, that the Tipo Cross will add to the Tipo’s success.
Fiat Tipo Cross Image Gallery:
