27.10.2004 Fiat Automóveis have presented a comprehensive collection on a large stand at the Salão do Automóvel de São Paulo, befitting their leading position in the local market

Fiat Automóveis has presented a large collection on a large stand at the Salão do Automóvel de São Paulo.

It is a stand bursting with best selling models, the majority of which are built locally, as the Brazilian arm of the Italian car maker, maintains its determination to keep building on its market leading position.

A special Doblò Adventure, known as the Estrada Real (Real Road) is being shown for the first time. This new version of the popular all-terrain Doblò, which is built in Brazil, and known locally as the 'Adventure', is targeted at customers "who seek the spirit of freedom, both on and off road", as well as paying homage to the famous Estrada Real.

The Estrada Real is a 1,400km stretch of highway that thrusts itself up the centre of the giant South American nation. Built in colonial times, it opened up Brazil's inner heartlands for the first time, allowing gold and other precious rocks to be mined and then brought down to the coastline around Rio de Janeiro.

Today the Estrada Real is also a focus for tourists, awestruck by the breathtaking natural vistas that can be witnessed along its huge length. Fiat Automóveis is one of the routes supporter's, and this new model aims to highlight this fact.

Powered by a 108bhp 1.8-litre petrol engine, and riding 22.3 cm off the ground, the Adventure Estada Real offers a widespread upgrade over the base model. A new enclosed roof mounted rack, rear trunk nets, and door storage bins, help increase load capacity to 360 litres. The luggage area has been redesigned to offer better organisation of space, alowing for the internal transport of bulky items such as bicycles.

Visually, the Doblò Adventure Estrada Real gains logoed door sill protectors, a decal on the front wing, while the rear tyre cover is emblazoned with a country map that picks out the famous route's path.

The Stilo is a best seller here, and is yet another model which is turned out of Fiat's Brazilian factories. A comprehensive line-up is headlined by a wildly dressed show car, The Stilo 'Tuning'. Created in partnership with two local companies, KM Turning and Dimension, it features a 2.4-litre, 5-cyl  powered Abarth model, with a Kompressor added. The resultant package pumps out a claimed 450cv.

Mounted on a large turntable, at the centre of the stand, it features an outrageously wide bodykit, massive 19-inch alloy wheels, huge side skirts and a front spoiler that incorporates a large 'Stilo' emblazoned intercooler. The suspension, now fitted with Eibach 'Pro' dampers, is lowered by 4cm, while innovative features include the removal of the exterior handles, and instead, doors that open by remote control. Darkened window glass, new tail light lenses, and a very unique paint finish comprising of metallised microparticles, complete the effect.

The Stilo has won numerous Brazilian motoring awards, and here, the production range is led out by the Stilo M.Schumacher. It features the 'Scorpion' shaped alloy wheels, 'Modena' red paint job, and Schumacher's signature on the flanks, as seen when the European version was unveiled last month in Paris. However Brazil have commemorated the Ferrari driver's latest F1 title by presenting a five door version.

The timing of the debut of Stilo M.Schumacher, which will be limited to just 500 units, couldn't have been better. The Formula One teams, including Scuderia Ferrari, were in São Paolo last weekend to contest the Brazilian Grand Prix, the final round of the 2004 FIA Formula One World Championship, and local hero Rubens Barrichello managed to find time out to drop into the show.

Also presented has been the Ducato Executive, a special version designed to carry up to nine people, and their luggage, in comfort and style. This new vehicle has been prepared by Brazilian company, Revescap, in partnership with Fiat Automóveis, the South American arm of the Italian carmaker.

Fiat Automóveis are seeking to create a Ducato for every type of requirement and customer, so the new 'Executivo' version is the latest offering of this theme. This model will present itself as a luxury transport for executives or a comfortable environment for the ever increasing stream of tourists visiting this largest of South America's nations.

Based on the Ducato Multi, with its high roof and 103bhp 2.9-litre turbodiesel engine, the Executivo comes complete with nine leather-trimmed, luxurious seats, as well as plush carpets throughout.

The Fiat collection also includes the recently introduced 'Adventure' versions of the 'World Car' range: the Palio Weekend Adventure and the Strada Adventure. Also worthy of mention is the Formula One Ferrari F2004, as driven by Michael Schumacher, that sits in the middle of the stand, amply emphasising the link between Fiat and their Ferrari division.

Finally the long running Fiat Uno, known in South America as the 'Mille', continues to be a popular market-entry model. In fact, the little car has recently been facelifted by no less a designer than the legendary Giorgetto Giugiaro, while assembly about to resume in Venezuela.

by Iinuma Wesley in São Paulo