The Adventure extended cab option has been dropped, leaving the 1.8-litre engine range topper available in double cab format and that put clear daylight in pricing terms between itself and the new Strada Freedom version.

Among the new features of the MY2019 line are Scorpion ATR (All Terrain) tyres as standard for the Strada Adventure version. Meanwhile the entry-level and mid-range versions, the Strada Working and Strada Hard Working, respectively, in all cab formats, now offer pre-arrangement for the radio (antenna and 2 speakers) as a standard fitting.

The Strada was first launched back in 1996 as the pickup derivative of the Project 178 “World Car” Family that included the Palio (hatchback) and Siena (sedan) and has since gone through numerous facelifts. Despite its platform sisters having been discontinued the Strada remains in production as a entry-level compact pickup for Latin America, sitting below the Toro.

Although sales have dwindled in recent years the Strada still shifted well over thirty thousand units last year in Brazil while a further seven thousand units went to buyers in Argentina. In México, meanwhile, it's sold by FCA’s American truck brand, Ram, badged as the “700”.

Fiat Strada Freedom 1.4 Double Cab

The new version was created to meet the demand of customers who require a vehicle for work, but who also use their Strada pickup in their private day-to-day. The Strada Freedom 1.4 Double Cab offers good rear seat space, an exclusive third door and can be equipped with a multimedia centre that has a 6.2-inch screen, DVD, GPS and a rear camera.

The new version comes as standard with 14-inch alloy wheels, fog lights with chrome bezels, front bumper (with a skid plate), door handles and door mirror cover in the colour of the vehicle and sensor rear parking area.

In addition, it has electric windows and electric locking, a B6 Connect radio, USB port to charge devices and read data, leather steering wheel with radio controls, glove box interior lighting, electrically adjustable door mirrors and sun visors.

It comes with new seats featuring an exclusive fabric that has "Freedom" embroidered into the backrests. The dashboard air vents, radio panel and the air conditioning controls also feature a special paint finish.

Mopar customisation

The consumer will be able to choose between four colour options available for all versions of the Strada MY2019 comprising of three solid ones (White Banchisa, Red Alpine and Vulcan Black) and one metallic (Silver Bari). There is also the Gray Scandium colour, which is exclusive to the Adventure and Freedom versions.

The Strada MY2019 line also offers several options packages. For the Hard Working 1.4 Single cab and Extended Cab versions there is the “Protection Pack” (rear protection bars and crankcase protection), “Worker Pack” (power windows and power door locks including fuel cap, in addition to the items in the “Protection Pack”) and “Pleasure Pack” (including B1 USB MP3/WMA radio with RDS, driver's seat with height adjustment plus “Worker Pack” items).

The Hard Working 1.4 Dual Cab, in addition to the first two, also has the further option of the “Convenience Pack” (B1 USB MP3/WMA radio with RDS and driver's seat with height adjustment, plus “Worker Pack” items).

The new version of Freedom 1.4 Dual Cab, meanwhile, can be equipped with the “Techno Pack” (multimedia centre with 6.2-inch screen, USB, DVD, TV, GPS and rear camera) while the Adventure 1.8 Double Cab has the mechanical locking Locker for the differential. Mopar offers a further forty-four accessories for the Strada MY2019.

In addition to the 12 months of the standard contractual guarantee, the consumer can contract another 12 or 24 months of direct coverage at the dealership through the MVP (Mopar Vehicle Protection) scheme, which also offers tailor-made revision plans, together with vehicle financing, and can have between two and ten revisions.

There is also the option of extending or supplementing the Confiat 24-Hour Assistance products, which extend protections enjoyed by the customer. Another novelty for the MY2019 is the maintenance plan, which becomes simpler: by time or mileage (whichever comes first), thus better facilitating customer planning as to the maintenance of their vehicle.

The MY2019 range opens with the Strada Working 1.4 Single Cab priced at R$49.790 and is then followed by the Strada Hard Working 1.4 Single Cab (R$56.490), Strada Hard Working 1.4 Extended Cab (R$64.990) and Strada Hard Working 1.4 Double Cab (R$ 67.990) before the new Strada Freedom 1.4 Double Cab makes its entry into the range at R$ 71.990. Finally the top spec model is the Strada Adventure 1.8 Double Cab which is priced at R$79.490.

Photos: Fiat Strada Model Year 2019