RUMORS: Fiat Strada To Adopt New Turbocharged 1.0-liter FIREFLY Engine!

The most popular vehicle in Brazil will receive a major upgrade for the 2024 model year. Our friends at Autos Segredos (Auto Segredos) have informed us that they have received important information about the 2024 Fiat Strada subcompact pickup.

Other than a minor restyling treatment scheduled for the vehicle’s mid-cycle action (MCA), the Strada will also get a new powerplant under its hood. 

Currently, the Strada has two engine options available. The range consists of a naturally-aspirated 1.4-liter FIRE inline-four-cylinder engine with Flex Fuel capability is standard in the entry-level Endurance model. The 1.4-liter FIRE delivers 85 horsepower on gasoline and 88 horsepower on ethanol). A 5-speed manual is the only available transmission with this engine.

A natural-aspirated 1.3-liter FIREFLY inline-four-cylinder engine delivering 101 horsepower on gasoline and 109 horsepower on ethanol, is equipped on Freedom, Volcano, and Ranch trims. The engine can be paired with a 5-speed manual or a simulated 7-speed continuously-variable transmission (CVT) with an E-Locker traction control system.

But according to the report from Autos Segredos, the Strada will adopt the turbocharged 1.0-liter FIREFLY inline-three-cylinder engine from its Pulse and Fastback B-SUV lineup. The turbo 1.0-liter FIREFLY will sit at the top of the engine lineup and should provide 128 horsepower on ethanol and 123 horsepower on gasoline. The engine is said to be mated to the same CVT unit used with the 1.3-liter.

The arrival of the 1.0-liter comes just in time to compete with the new Chevrolet Montana, which will make its debut in early 2023.

Expect the 2024 Fiat Strada’s MCA facelift to be minor, with the biggest changes to the truck’s design being focused on the front bumper and grille. The hood, fenders, and headlamps should remain the same, according to the report. Inside, we wouldn’t be surprise to see a digital gauge cluster like we have seen on most Stellantis vehicles. Also some trim and material changes.

We hope FIAT will address its poor evaluation in its recent New Car Assessment Program for Latin America and the Caribbean (Latin NCAP) crash test results.

But with over 50% of the Brazilian pickup truck segment sales, with doubt FIAT wouldn’t address anything to continue its success.