The first Fiat Viaggio sedan has rolled off the line at the new Fiat SpA and Guangzhou Auto (GAC) joint venture plant in Changsha.
The partners say they hope to build 20,000 units of the new car in 2012 and 100,000 in 2013.
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The Viaggio (Fei Xiang in Chinese) is the twin of the Dodge Dart, production of which got underway recently at Chrysler’s Belvidere plant in Illinois. The Dart was the first vehicle to use Fiat Group’s Compact Wide platform (CUSW) and the Viaggio is the second. CUSW is adapted from the architecture used by the Alfa Giulietta.
At launch, all versions of the Viaggio will be powered by a turbocharged 1.4-litre four-cylinder engine, which Fiat calls ‘T-Jet’. Buyers can choose from 120- or 150hp units. As for gearboxes, these will be either a five-speed manual or a DDTC (Dual Dry Clutch Transmission).
A five-door hatchback Viaggio is expected to follow the sedan, with sources even suggesting this car might replace the Bravo in some, mostly Eurpean markets, during 2013. This, however, is yet to be confirmed.
Author: Glenn Brooks
