Troubled by financial shortfalls with no longer the mighty force it was previously, Fiat is desperately attempting to reinvent itself – and as is so often the case, is overlooking its corporate shoulder for inspiration, if it is latest show car; the Trepiuno, is definitely an indicator of the form of Rats in the future, we can expect a return to compact city cars – but which bristle using the technology that today’s drivers expect.
The ugly-bug Multiple has gained a brand new change which counters the ‘cartoon car’ styling of the original model and the Idea gives Fiat an important player in the compact MPV marketplace.
But it is in the core range, using the un-inspiring Stilo, that Fiat reaches its most vulnerable: there are rumours that the replacement has been rushed to remedy poor sales in this vital market sector.
Fiat is a long way from having financial stability, but its special place in the Italian culture means it is unlikely to become permitted to fade, in order to be a subsidiary of the foreign group.
