Fiat Automòveis have introduced a new entry-level version of the Fiat Strada pick-up, which gains all the recent improvements of the facelifted model, but now comes with the option of new 1.4-litre Flexfuel Fire engine. The durable Strada pick up has been the leader in its segment in Brazil for six years now and this new version will broaden its appeal, allowing a lower-cost entry model to slot into the range, but one which will also take full advantage of the Brazilian new car market's recent huge demand for "dual fuel" (petrol and alcohol) powered vehicles, of which domestic production has soar above the 2 million mark recently.
 

The new Strada 1.4 Fire will now gain the "Model Year" improvements that were rolled out on its sister "Project World Car" platform models, the Palio (hatchback) and Siena (saloon) in July, as well as on the higher-specification versions of the Strada that arrived at that point; with a swage of new and improved detailed differences.

These new changes included a simplified and extended cabin area (the Strada is in fact the only pick-up in its segment to offer a long cabin option), new headlights (with black shrouding around the three individual cylindrical light units) and new, more ergonomic, door handles. The new 1.4 Strada Fire version will receive an all-black front radiator grille, immediately differentiating it from the superior versions which have a thin chrome finish round the grille, while steel wheels will be fitted as standard and the quad mist lights will be optional.

The new engine is the 1.4-litre "FlexFuel" Fire unit which generates power of 80 cv with a pure petrol content, and 81 cv with a similar pure alcohol content. The mixtures of either fuel can be varied to any degree. The maximum torque available is 12.2 and 12.4 m.kgf for petrol and alcohol respectively. It will come to the market without any increase in price with these news changes, the Strada 1.4 Fire is offered for R$ 29,790, and R$ 33,770 with the option of the extended cabin.

by Claudio Perlini