Ritmo in Brizzy
Fiat expands local range for 2008 with new small carWhen the Brisbane motor show opens to the public on February 1, the Fiat stand will feature the Ritmo -- the Italian manufacturer's latest entry for the Australian market.
The Ritmo sits above the Punto in the Fiat pecking order and is known in other markets as the Bravo.
Local Fiat distributor, Ateco Automotive, also markets the Citroen brand in Australia and will need to distinguish the Ritmo from the French firm's C4 model range.
Arriving in Australia with five-star Euro NCAP credentials for adult occupant protection, the Ritmo will be offered with either the 1.4-litre T-Jet turbocharged four-cylinder already previewed in the Punto or the 1.9-litre JTD Turbodiesel engine which develops 110kW of power.
Unlike the Punto application, the T-Jet engine in the Ritmo develops 110kW of power and activating the overboost can produce as much as 230Nm of torque. Fiat claims the Ritmo with this engine can reach 100km/h from a standing start in 8.2 seconds and a top speed of 208km/h.
Fuel consumption, in accordance with ADR 81/01 combined cycle testing is 7.1L/100km and the CO2 emission rating is 167g/km.
The MultiJet turbodiesel develops 305Nm of torque from 2000rpm and, equipped with this engine, the Ritmo takes 9.0 seconds to attain 100km/h from a standing start. Top speed has been measured at 209km/h and the diesel uses 5.6L/100km of fuel.
Both engines will be coupled to six-speed manual transmissions, but Fiat anticipates that the Dualogic automated manual transmission will be introduced later in the year.
The Ritmo will be sold in two levels of trim, Emotion and Sport. Standard features for all models include ABS, EBD, traction control, ESP, a hill-holder facility, remote central locking, dual front airbags and side-impact airbags for front seat occupants, electric front windows, CD player and electrically-assisted steering.
The higher grade Sport variants are also fitted with sports seats, alloy wheels, body kit, dual-zone climate control, cruise control, telematics functionality and Bluetooth connectivity.
Ateco will announce final specification and pricing for Australian-delivered cars at the show.
The company will also launch a turbocharged version of the Punto Sport at the same time.
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