Fiat Tipo is the successor to ageing Linea sedan which will be sold in markets like Africa, Europe and the Middle East with the same name, but will have a different name in the Turkish market. Starting with the dimensions, the sedan will measure 4500 mm long, 1780 mm wide and 1480 mm tall. The wheelbase will measure around 2640 mm. On the outside, the sedan adorns a new design that looks refreshing. The cabin gets a cascading dashboard and a well-stuffed centre console with practical storage places. The dials, buttons and the entire interior layout seem contemporary. Enveloped in a dark colour theme, a hint of chrome around the dashboard looks elegant. Features embedded inside include a three-spoke steering wheel, HVAC vents place in centre and either side of the dashboard, automatic climate control, Bluetooth connectivity and Uconnect infotainment system featuring a 5-inch colour touchscreen display.

There are other connections. The 1980s version was a global car too, eventually produced in Turkey by the same Tofas manufacturing firm that Turin will have to build its namesake. The first Tipo also featured the Type Two platform, an early example of the sort of modular front-drive architecture that now dominates the industry. The General Motors-Fiat Small platform that underpins the 21st-century variant is unrelated but not dissimilar in many ways; Fiat has been using it to underpin a range of models since 2005. All of which will be considered incidental for most buyers of the new Tipo. From Fiat’s perspective, the ideal association with the past would be a repeat of the first Tipo’s sales popularity.

There will be two engine choices including a 1.3 litre Multijet diesel engine and a 1.6 litre Multijet diesel motor. There might not be a choice for a gasoline engine. Of the two motors, the renowned 1.3 litre Multijet engine used in most of the cars in India will be employed offering a power output of 95 Hp. And the higher displacement 1.6 litre Multijet engine is expected to propagate 120 Hp. As for transmission options are concerned, a five-speed manual and a 6-speed manual gearbox could be available.

There is yet no clarity on mileage front, but likely to be powered by the diesel motors, we expect Tipo to be able to return excellent mileage, especially the variants featuring 1.3 litre Multijet engine as it powers some of the most frugal cars in Nepal.

In 1988, its design was cutting-edge compared with the leaden Vauxhall Astra and Ford Escort it was up against. And as well as finding early favour with buyers, the Tipo won the European Car of the Year award a year later. Fiat’s board would turn handsprings if this new assault on the C segment proved to be even half as worthy.