Future Fiat Topolino Will Reach The Market In 2010
The British magazine Auto Express, with the help of Poblete, has given its readers the first look on what may become the future Fiat Topolino, a small city car that aims to help the Italian automaker achieve the new European Comission regulations for lower CO2 emissions and better fuel economy.
Of course the new vehicle is also intended to increase Fiat’s selling figures. If the renderings are correct, and we have no reason to believe otherwise, Topolino has great chances of doing so. It will be less than 3 m long and will offer a seating system similar to the one that has been presented with Trepiuno. In other words, the small car will be a three seater, with the option to carry one more person in short ways. This solution is very close to the one presented by Toyota iQ, already one of Topolino’s future competitors, as well as the smart fortwo. Considering the engine will be mounted on the rear of the car, below the boot floor, there will be reasonable space for cargo, also.
Fiat’s recent acquisition of Zastava, a Serbian automaker, has close relation to the production of Topolino, expected to start in 2010. The car platform, shortened, should be the same used for the 500 and the engine will probably be the two-cylindre 900 cm³ turbo motor already presented in the Panda Aria Concept. Although in the concept it only generated 80 bhp, Auto Express states it can reach up to 105 bhp. An aspirated version, able to deliver 65 bhp, will also be offered. In fact, it tends to be the most common engine to be found on Topolino. Check out the Auto Express article for more images (including the original Topolino) and information.
Original name was Zavodi Crvena Zastava. Later it was shortened to just Zastava. During the car export to America, of the Yugo model, the factory changed the signature of all models to Yugo. In 2000. the factory name has changed back to Zastava, and since then all models have Zastava badges.
it looks like a toyota iq with a 500 front end, now i know it is only a rendering and photoshop but i think that is looks kinda kwl
dont believ what auto express says people. i have their magazines from years back and seeing them now shows how way off the mark they really are!
I agree with Asif. I bought Auto Express for 10 years and looking back a lot of their predictions and 'scoop' drawings were way off. Just a way of having an attention grabbing headline. I'll stick to Autocar and CAR for a more honest, insightful look on the motor industry.
Are Zastava and Yugo one and the same? Looks quite cool, FIAT are on their way to being the kings of the small car