Following hot on the arrival of Fiat’s Stilo three door and multi-wagon late last year the Italian company has now launched a five door model in South Africa. Customers can order the new model with a 76 kW 1,6 litre petrol engine or an 85 kW 1.9 litre turbodiesel, with three specification levels being available – Actual, Active and Dynamic. The upper two trim levels come with six airbags, four disc brakes and ABS with electronic brake-force distribution.
Fiat claims that the Stilo five-door is two cars in one. Front and rear seats can be reclined for maximum comfort, or folded forward to increase luggage capacity. When the back seats are folded forward the resulting luggage compartment is one of the roomiest in its category. Four people can now travel in luxury with all the attendant creature comforts: armrest, cup-holder and holders for wallets, mobile phones or spectacles. An airline-type folding table pulls down from the front seat squab so that children can draw or adult passengers can write or work on a laptop. If you want to relax, all you have to do is sit in the back, recline your backrest and fold the front seat down to stretch out and relax as though you were on a recliner. These features are complemented by oceans of room for stowing everything you need to take with you – front and rear armrests with interior compartments, a roomy container under the driver’s seat, generous pouches, two bottle holders and five glass holders.
On road performance is pretty healthy, according the factory, with the diesel version reaching 100 km/hr in 10,7 seconds before topping out at 190 km/hr. The petrol engined version reaches the 100 km/hr mark just 0,2 seconds later, and attains a top speed of 183 km/hr.
Fiat Auto South Africa offers Stilo owners a 36-month/100 000 km dealer warranty with three years cover on paintwork and five years on anti-perforation.
Services are required at 20 000 km intervals for all Fiat Stilo versions. Prices range from R154 900 to R179 900. The cars are covered by the AA Fleetcare roadside assistance for 12 months.