Pernambuco, Brazil - This is the first proper picture of the Fiat Toro one-tonner but rest assured, samba fans, it's for real. Fiat's first one-ton double cab bakkie is actually based on the Jeep Renegade’s unibody platform, and is already in pre-production at FCA Brazil's new Goiana plant in the north-east of the country.
It's a full one-tonner, says Fiat, almost five metres long and offering seating for five “with the comfort of a luxury car”.
But it will be available in Brazil with a choice of only two engines - a 102kW, 1.8-litre, 16-valve flex-fuel (that means it can run on either petrol or E85 ethanol/petrol mix, which is widely available in Brazil) or a 125kW two-litre Multijet turbodiesel.
There will, however, be three trim levels available, starting with the Urban, in 1.8-litre guise only, with a six-speed auto transmission driving the front wheels.
Standard kit includes 16 inch steel rims wearing 215/65 rubber, power steering, windows and mirrors, remote central locking, aircon, a six-speaker radio/CD/MP3 player with USB port, Bluetooth connectivity and voice control, and an electronic nanny with traction control and hill hold.
ALL-WHEEL DRIVE
The Adrenaline will be offered with either the 1.8 flex-fuel and six-speed paddle shift auto 'box, or the Multijet turbodiesel with six-speed manual, each driving the front wheels.
It rolls on 17 inch alloys and up the ante with a roof rack, a rear foglight, body colour mirror housings and door handles, rear parking sensors, leather-trimmed multifunction steering wheel, and a five inch infotainment touchscreen.
The range-topping Country derivatives will be offered with the same drivetrain options as the Adrenaline, in addition to an all-wheel-drive flagship model, only with diesel power, but with a choice of six-speed manual or nine-speed auto transmission and a five-position drive mode selector.
It will have 18 inch alloys on high-rise suspension, climate control, satnav, rain and light sensors, hill descent control, bash plates and a seven inch virtual instrument panel.
Latin American industry insiders expect to see a full reveal in the next few weeks, and the Fiat Toro should go on sale in Brazil late in 2015 or early in 2016. We’re waiting on an answer from Fiat SA as to whether and when we will see it in South Africa.