A large area of the Fiat's stand at the 76th Geneva International Motor Show has been dedicated to the concept of ‘QUATTROXQUATTROXTUTTI’, marking the Italian carmaker’s return to the ‘4x4’ world, with the clear goal of making the entertainment and safety that only four-wheel drive can guarantee, available to everyone. The absolute stars of this section, and indeed the whole display is the brand-new Fiat Sedici.

Emphasising the importance of the Sedici to Fiat is the fact that no less than four versions are being exhibited, all of them 'Emotion' trim and equipment level versions. All of these new four-wheel drive cars, are fitted with chromed bars, 16-inch alloy wheels, and chromed exhaust tail pipes. Two are equipped with the 120 bhp 1.9-litre Multijet diesel engine while the other two are powered by the 107 bhp 1.6-litre 16v petrol unit.

The Sedici is being shown in several brighter new colour finishes that really serve to bring out the chunky, off-road characteristics of Fiat's latest car. This new model made its debut at the XX Winter Olympics in Turin last month, where it was afforded the status as 'Official Car' of 'Torino 2006', and by all accounts this brand-new niche player is set to be a success story.

"We already have three thousand orders just in Italy from a production of twenty thousand in the first year," revealed Fiat Brand & Commercial CEO Luca De Meo during the official press conference held last Tuesday. This has been achieved without announcing the official sale price or potential customers actually being able to test drive the car, he added.
 

"We see it as the first popular SUV, meaning that because of price, and because of the running costs it will appeal to a wide range of potential customers that today drive smaller or more compact cars. For the first time in the market they will be able to offer themselves the practicality of four wheel drive technology and convenience of SUVs with compromising on what they are used to," he added.

Another example of the Sedici is being presented on the Italdesign-Giugiaro stand, reflecting the fact that it was developed for Fiat by Giorgetto Giugiaro in conjunction with Fiat Centro Stile. A joint build project with Suzuki, the Japanese carmaker's version is actually making its official debut in Geneva (although the Sedici was publicly presented by Fiat last December in Bologna). The somewhat bland and cheap looks of the Suzuki version clearly demonstrates that Fiat Centro Stile have done an excellent job in embedding into the Sedici more aggressive 'off road' looks and helpings of character.