Developed, engineered and built in Brazil at the Betim factory, the new Uno was launched last May to much acclaim and became an instant success story: by the end of last year almost 100,000 orders had already been taken. It has also proved a much needed sales hit for Fiat Automóveis which, despite being the market leader in Brazil and having posted record sales year-on-year in 2010, saw its market share squeezed downward and it was in fact near the bottom of the pile coming out as one of the worst year-on-year performers last year. The new 3-door Uno, which revives the body format of the original Uno more closely, will go on sale before the end of this month, launched as a Model Year 2012 car.

The new Uno 5-door is currently offered in four specification styles: two different engine/equipment levels of the standard version ("Vivace" and "Attractive") as well as two distinctive niche versions: the "Way", which is clad in chunky plastic protection panels and a raised ride height to bring a pumped-up, off-road look to the little Uno, and the eye-catching "Sporting", the most recent version to be launched, which is targeted at younger consumers. There are two engine options, 1.0 and 1.4 litre, both with "Flex" (dual gasoline and alcohol options).

The new 3-door option will slot into each existing Uno model range just below the 5-door version, with the pricing discount coming in at around R$1,500-1,800. The new 3-door Uno will also carry over all of the broad range of customisation options that have proved to be very successful so far with buyers on the 5-door version, which has also allowed profit margins to be improved.