SPY PICS: Growth spurt for Fiat's Strada ute

Spy shots of a prototype Fiat Strada pickup undergoing testing in northern Sweden indicate there is definitely something afoot with the mini front-drive ute.

The Automedia photographs show what appears to be a significantly longer version of the current Strada, with a suggestion that full-size rear doors have been incorporated to replace the rear-hinged mini-doors on today's dual cab version.

This comes with clear implications that the Fiat ute is undergoing a growth spurt to lift its status to something between a Ford Ranger LCV and a regular, sedan-based ute.

The crazy camouflage does a good job of concealing the details, but an examination of areas such as the A-pillar shows there's a depth to the redesign that is more than just superficial.

The window line is decidedly wedge-shaped and builds towards the raked C-pillar that can be spotted beneath the cladding. The extended wheelbase looks as if it will help in the provision of a large tray area. The boxed-in rear section looks to be little other than a visual deception, although a rear canopy would be an obvious possibility when the production version rolls around.

The Strada, which has its roots in the Fiat Palio world car, has been around in various world markets since 1996 and has previously been ruled out for Australia on the basis of its left hand drive-only configuration.

Also sold in American markets as the Ram 750, the Strada is powered by a 1.6-litre Fiat four-cylinder engine and the new version, depending on the market, is expected to be available with either a five-speed manual or an automatic transmission.

Wild speculation suggesting that the bigger Strada could also provide the basics for a Jeep ute is also circulating, so who knows how much influence this new Fiat workhorse is going to have in the future?

A spokesman for the previous Fiat importer into Australia, Ateco Automotive, said a few years back the Strada was not considered for the local market, largely because it has so far only been built in left-hand drive form.

It appears that is unlikely to change, even with the larger new version and even if Australia at present no longer has a representative in the mini ute segment.

According to Andrew Chesterton, who looks after group communications and media strategy at the Fiat Chrysler Group: "While there is no immediate plan to introduce a ute to the Fiat line-up in Australia, all international models are always under consideration and nothing is ever absolutely ruled out."