In 1996, Fiat launched the Fiat Strada pickup truck in South America — the Fiat Palio-based model being built at the company’s plant in Betim, Brazil. The car immediately became in success on the South American market, after several revisions a new generation being launched in 2009, it’s enjoying the same success and taking the total number of units sold up to 127,800 cars. That makes the Strada Fiat Professional division’s second bestselling car in the world, after the Fiat Ducato commercial van. And it was this success that apparently made the Italian carmaker decide that the model should be sold in Europe too.
The European version of the Fiat Strada will be available in three body versions: Short Cab, Long Cab and Crew Cab. The last one is a premiere for the Italian carmaker, because it will allow carrying four passengers and a 650 kilograms loading capacity at the same time.
The utility car has a total length of 4,409 mm (173.6 inches), is 1,664 mm (65.5 inches) wide and has a wheelbase of 2,718 mm (107 inches). Its size allow it to offer a loading length of 1,685 mm (66.3 inches) on the Short Cab version, 1,332 mm (52.4 inches) on the Long Cab version and 1,082 mm (42.6 inches) on the double cabin model, while the loading capacity is between 630 kg (1,389 lbs) and 705 kg (1,554 lbs). In addition to that, the rear lid can support up to 300 kg (661.4 lbs) when opened.
Under the bonnet, the Fiat Strada is powered by a Multijet diesel engine with a 1.3-liter displacement and it complies with the Euro 5 pollution standard currently enforced in the European Union. The engine is capable of delivering 95 hp and 200 Nm of maximum torque available at 1,500 rpm, at the same guaranteeing a fuel economy of just 5.3 liters per 100 km (44.4 mpg) on the combined cycle. That’s exactly the same fuel economy the previous generation achieved, but the new engine is 10 hp more powerful than that one. Front wheel drive is offered as standard, but customers will also be able to choose all wheel drive without the loading capacity being affected in any way.
According to the company, the new Fiat Strada will be offered with three trim levels, Working, Trekking and Adventure. Standard features include electric mirrors, power windows, air conditioning and a radio CD player, while the optional features list includes automatic air conditioning, leather wrapped steering wheel and a set of alloy wheels.