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Fiat goes offroad with Sedici

What do you get when you multiply 4 x 4 x Italy? You get a very stylish four wheel drive called the Fiat Sedici or, to translate, the Fiat 16.

Fiat's entry into the compact 4x4 market brings together the company's remarkable history of designing small cars with large interiors, the skill of one of the world's leading car designer, Giorgetto Giugiaro, and Fiat's engineering expertise in 4x4 and engine technology to produce a new small four wheel drive SUV that is compact on the outside and spacious on the inside and which offers low fuel consumption and impressive performance.

The Sedici will be world-premiered when it is made the official car of the Twentieth Winter Olympic Games, due to be held in Turin next February. The car's European market launch will coincide with the event. The new model is available in two specifications (Dynamic and Emotion) with two power units (107 bhp 1.6 16v and 120 bhp 1.9 Multijet) and reconciles apparently conflicting qualities: plenty of passenger room despite a compact size; the handling of a saloon with the off-road qualities of an SUV and original exterior styling with interior design geared to maximum practicality.

The vehicle boasts an all-terrain look plus a special adaptable four wheel drive that allows the driver to change from a 4x2 drive to a 4x4, thus ensuring this vehicle consumes less fuel than other off-road vehicles in the same category. The Sedici is equipped with the 120 bhp 1.9 Multijet turbo diesel engine.

Fiat is keen to play a leading role in SUV development by offering an off-roader for car buyers in this sector. This steadily growing market segment rose from a share of 1.7 per cent in 1992 to the current level of 6 per cent for the entire European on-road vehicle fleet. Back in 1992 the segment was made up of vehicles that were configured for out-and-out off-road driving but the original generation of off-road vehicles was later supplanted as a result of two events.

The first occurred in 1994 with the arrival of the first compact SUVs combining the qualities of true 4x4 off-roaders with up-to-date and original design making them suitable for city driving. These were followed in 1997 by deluxe off-roaders: with their wealth of equipment and extremely generous dimensions, the ideal response for demanding, sophisticated customers in a continual quest for unique products with a strong personality. Both sub-segments, particularly the compact SUV sub-segment, are now experiencing growing interest from the public and the scenario is changing quickly. The size and features of the Fiat Sedici slot it into the compact SUV category but it brings a touch of elegance to the table!

© italiancar.com.au 15/12/05