FIAT’s Tipo Station Wagon  with Loads of Style !

FIAT’s new Tipo bears absolutely no resemblence to the model they launched initially in 1988.  The new Tipo was designed from the ground up with the task of offering excellent value for money – and the new Tipo Station Wagon certainly pulls that task off exceptionally well.

The new FIAT Tipo is offered in 3 body styles – 5-door hatchback (as reviewed in the ‘hatchback’ section of this website), 4-door saloon and 5-door estate (Station Wagon) for maximum practicality. Three trim levels are available – Pop, Easy and Lounge, while 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre  petrol engines are offered alongside a choice of 1.3-litre or 1.6-litre turbo diesels too. Depending on the engine you choose, the 0-100km/h sprint can be completed in 9.8 to 12.1 seconds. A manual and an automatic gearbox are available in the new Tipo and a choice of 1 solid and 7 metallic colours complete the potential buyer’s wish-list.

All models in the new FIAT Tipo range come extremely well equipped with items such as air-conditioning, remote central locking, ABS with EBD, electric windows front and rear, electric mirrors, front armrest, 60/40 split rear seats, drivers seat height adjustment, multiple airbags, chrome exterior door handles, body coloured bumpers and mirrors, auto-opening boot, Bluetooth, full size spare wheel and audio controls on the steering wheel. ‘Easy’ specification also includes front fog lights, leather steering wheel & gear knob, cruise control, rear parking sensors, chrome grille, 5’ touchscreen with USB & AUX ports & DAB radio, 16” alloy wheels and LED daytime-running lights. The range-topping ‘Lounge’ model also comes with auto lights & wipers, automatic climate control, rear camera, auto dimming rearview mirror, chrome window surrounds & grille surround, satellite navigation and 17” alloy wheels.

My test car was the new FIAT Tipo Station Wagon 1.6-litre MultiJet- diesel model in ‘Lounge’ specification and I could not believe the excellent value for money that this car offers.  FIAT’s wonderful 1598cc MultiJet engine provides 120bhp and a healthy 320Nm of torque for swift performance and driving confidence. The 0-100km sprint can be completed in just 10.1-seconds, leading to a top speed of 199km/h (where permitted). Thanks to Co2 emissions of just 98g/km, annual road tax is just €180. I was very impressed by how well the new FIAT Tipo is built, as it handles the roughest of side roads with the greatest of ease and it really does feel like a car that is built to last

Taking design cues from FIAT’s stunning 124 Spider Roadster, the new Tipo is graced with a sporty, wide front grille, flanked by stylish narrow headlights. The upright rear of the new Tipo Station Wagon provides excellent space within the car for passengers and their luggage. The 550-litre boot can be easily extended by dropping the rear seats to reveal a fully flat floor, thereby making leisure trips and jaunts to the recycling centre or local DIY centre a doddle.

Not only does the new FIAT Tipo offer excellent value for money, great driving dynamics and stylish good looks, it also offers teriffic fuel economy too. I managed to get very close to FIAT’s claimed 85.6mpg on an extra-urban driving cycle. With ex-works prices starting from just €16,745 the new FIAT Tipo makes a very tempting proposition for car buyers. My top-of-the-range test car weighs in at a very reasonable €24,620.