Fiat has begun re-building the brand in India beginning with its stall at the Auto Expo 2008 where it dazzled the crowds with its international product portfolio flanked by the most gorgeous international models. This year Fiat would bring in two global models into India, the Bravo super hatch and the latest Fiat 500 (Cinquecento). Both the cars would be imported as CBU’s attracting high import duties and putting them out of range of many buyers. What the Bravo and 500 would do is build Fiat’s brand in India ahead of the launch of the Linea sedan and the Grand Punto. The Fiat 500 has turned around the fortunes of Fiat globally becoming an iconic hatchback on the lines of the Mini Cooper and the VW Beetle. The Fiat 500 is a neo-retro car made on the lines of the old 500 which was a rage in Europe back then. Infact the Fiat 500 has been launched on the 50th anniversary of Fiat.

The 500 in the international market comes with 1.2-litre 69bhp and 1.4 litre 100 bhp petrol engines as well as the 1.3 litre multijet diesel with 75 bhp on tap. Fiat would do well with launching the 1.4 litre petrol and the 1.3 litre multijet diesel in India, the latter being already put into use in the recently launched Fiat Palio diesel. The Fiat 500 features retro interiors (as seen in the pictures) fitted with all modern conveniences. The highlights of the interior is the antique look dashboard which has the old 500s charm but with all modern gadgetry including digital climate control, MID, integrated sound system and a multi gauge central display unit with digital display. The 500 can also be customized in 1000s of ways by buyers seeking for exclusivity.

The Fiat 500 would cost about Rs. 10-12 lakh in India including duties. The Bravo meanwhile was launched internationally in 2006 and is Fiat’s most stylish and competent hatchback to date. The Bravo is likely to come into India with its brilliant 1.9 litre multijet diesel engine which produces 150 bhp, enough power for the Bravo to be classified as a performance hatch. The Bravo is expected to cost between Rs. 12-14 lakh on road in India. Again, both these cars would not be selling in large numbers at these prices but would create the quite essential buzz around the Fiat brand. Fiat is also expanding its dealerships in association with Tata Motors and identifying select dealers who would sell and service these imports as well as the soon to be launched Punto and Linea.

PICTURES OF THE FIAT 500 CINQUECENTO AND BRAVO FROM DELHI AUTO EXPO 2008