Ritmo moves to a different beat

The latest Fiat model to reach Australia is the Ritmo, a hatchback that splits the difference in length between the hatch and sedan versions of Toyota's top-selling small car, the Corolla.

Priced from just under $30,000 as it is though, the Ritmo is unlikely to be getting down and dirty with the big volume sellers in the small car market.

Ateco Automotive, the distributor of Fiat in Australia, has launched the small car range with a starting price of $29,990. As reported previously, the Ritmo will be sold with the choice of a 1.4-litre T-Jet turbocharged petrol engine or the 1.9-litre JTD Multijet turbodiesel engine.

Both engines are available in the two levels of trim, 'Emotion' and 'Sport'. Ateco will introduce other variants in the range later in the year.

Standard features include electric windows and exterior mirrors, cruise control, power steering, remote central locking, premium audio system, air conditioning and alloy wheels for both grades.

In addition, the Sport models gain rear spoiler, side skirts, climate control, sports pedals, sports seats with lumbar adjustment for the driver, leather-bound sports steering wheel, leather-trimmed gear shift lever and handbrake knobs, sports-style seat upholstery, red brake calipers and 17-inch alloy wheels with 225/45 tyres.

Sports models will also be delivered with the Blue&Me telematics system which was developed jointly by Fiat and Microsoft. The system integrates Bluetooth connectivity with a multifunction display, MP3-compatible audio system with a USB port and an SMS text reader.

Euro NCAP tested the Ritmo and recorded a crash safety score of five stars for adult occupant protection, three for children and two for pedestrians.

"The new Fiat 500 not withstanding, the Fiat Ritmo is probably the most important car that Fiat will launch this year," says Edward Butler, General Manager  for Fiat in Australia.

"It launches Fiat into a key market sector, one which not just contains some of the key models in the market as a whole, but also which, as the market downsizes in response to environment issues and fuel prices, is becoming the most important Australian market sector. The Fiat Ritmo has the abilities to take on the key players in the market and its Italian soul will offer car buyers a car that is fresh, vital and dynamic, while being backed by state of the art safety, reliability and durability. We believe it makes a compelling case and represents one of the strongest models in its category."