Also called RAM 700 (Mexico) Designer Giorgetto Giugiaro | Production 1996–present Class Coupé utility | |
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Manufacturer Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Assembly Betim, Brazil (Fiat Brazil)
Rosslyn, South Africa (Nissan) | ||
The Fiat Strada is a supermini coupé utility produced by the Italian manufacturer Fiat since 1996. It is based on Fiat's world car project, the Palio. It is produced by Fiat Automóveis in Brazil, and has been marketed worldwide, (excluding the United States and Canada mainly because of the market's strong favourtism towards body-on-frame trucks over monocoque car-based vehicles).
Contents
History
Launched in 1996 in Brazil, it was the cargo member of the "178 Project". The Strada was made to replace the City, a pickup version of the Fiorino, a commercial derivative of the Fiat Uno. The Strada features a maximum loading capacity of 700 kg (1,543 lb) and a cargo space of 1,770 mm (69.7 in) x 1,314 mm (51.7 in).
2001 revision
In 2001, the model had its first facelift. The new design was made by the Italian design guru Giorgetto Giugiaro. The facelift included a new front and interior. The Mark II series marked the début of an extended-cab version. In 2002, Fiat do Brasil launched the first version of a Fiat Strada Adventure, with "off-road" looks.
2004 revision
The new Mark III was launched in 2004. It has a revised front and interior design taken from the Palio (and also designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro). Also, a second version of the Strada Adventure was built, with the same features of the Weekend Adventure. It was offered in Europe with the relatively modern 1.9-L JTD diesel engine.
In South Africa, the Strada is offered in four variants: 1.2-L MPI EL, 1.6-L MPI EL, 1.6-L MPI ELX (same as the EL but with colour-coded bumpers and mirrors, electric windows, driver's airbag, and air conditioning), and 1.7-L TD EL. Fiat South Africa recently introduced the X-Space model, which stretches the cab by 30 cm (12 in). This model is available in two models, the standard X-Space and the X-Space Adventure (which has similar specifications to the standard 1.6-L ELX model). Both X-Space models are powered by the 1.4-L MPI engine.
In Europe, it is available only with the 1.3-L Multijet 16-V diesel engine with 85 PS and Euro 4 standard emission level.
2009-2013
Unveiled in summer 2009, the all-new Mark IV model was put on sale in the end of 2009. Whilst the model shares its name with the previous Strada, a large number of its components are new, including a new bodyshell. For the rest of the South America, the new Strada was introduced in mid-2010, for Europe it is not exported. The design is inspired by the Fiat Grande Punto with many elements similar to the latest versions of the family Palio and Siena. The fourth-generation Strada is built in four different versions: Working, the basic version, Trekking, with more goodies, the Sporting for sportier style with aero kit body style, and the Adventure with a locking differential dedicated to off-road use. In 2010, Fiat do Brazil introduced a new double-cab version (also called Strada Cabina Dupla) with four seats, but maintaining the same wheelbase.
The engines used are the Fiat 1.4-L 16-V Fire Flex (85 PS) and the 1.8-L 16-V Ecotec Flex (114 PS). For diesel, the 1.3-L 16-V Multijet unit with 87 PS (64 kW; 86 hp) is also available.
The Strada was relaunched for Italy and other selected European markets in 2012.
2013-present
In the end of 2013, Fiat unveiled the last facelift of the Strada (as a model year 2014) based on an evolution of the 2009 version; the new Strada introduced new front fascia and new rear lights, and the double-cab version is available with the open rear (suicide-style) doors. Three version are sold in South America: Working, Trekking, and Adventure with four different body styles.
For the 2015 model year, the Fiat Strada is rebadged by Ram Trucks for the Mexican market as the Ram 700; however, unlike the ProMaster and ProMaster City, the 700 does not feature the crosshair grille used by the Ram Trucks brand. There are conflicting reports regarding the introduction of the Ram 700 to the USA and/or Canadian markets.