About the border
Tropical temperatures call for tropical cars. We descend to the often sunny Brazil. Of course, not to virtually sip caipirinhas, but to admire the renewed Fiat Pulse and Fastback.
While Fiat may be a relatively small player in the Netherlands, internationally, Fiat is a colossus. It has been the largest brand within Stellantis for years. Brazil is by far the most important market for the Italian brand. There, for example, it sold over 520,000 cars last year. That is over forty percent of the number of cars that Fiat sold worldwide. In the South American country, Fiat is by far the largest manufacturer. For example, Volkswagen finished in second place last year, the gap between the two brands was no less than 118,000 cars. Intense. The Brazilian Fiat range differs from the Dutch one. Enormously so. Just sit back and relax. In the Brazilian Fiat showrooms, the 500e and commercial vehicles Ducato and Scudo are the only cars that it also sells in Europe. Next to them are models unknown to the European consumer such as the Mobi, Argo, Cronos, Fastback, Pulse, Strada, Titano and Toro. Cross-over Pulse and ‘coupé-SUV’ Fastback can face it again with a tight face and the sporty Abarth versions are also being cut.
Fiat Pulse
The Fiat Pulse is a compact cross-over that is largely based on the Argo, a compact hatchback. The 4.1 meter long cross-over was presented in mid-2021 and gets a new grille with vertical bars, renewed bumper work and of course a set of new alloy wheels. More interesting are the T200 Hybrid machines that Fiat delivers in the Pulse. These are mild-hybrid petrol engines that also like ethanol in addition to petrol. A mild-hybrid ‘flexfuel’ engine, as is common in Brazil. The 130 hp and 200 Nm strong 1.3 is always tied to a CVT that can simulate the presence of seven gears. The non-turbo 1.3 petrol engine is retained.
There is also a nicely sporty Abarth version of the Pulse. It naturally goes through life as the Abarth Pulse and that has now also been renewed. The 185 hp instead of 130 hp strong Abarth Pulse gets a fierce front, complete with a new grille with red accents. There you will also find the brand name Abarth written out. The Abarth Pulse sprints from standstill to a speed of 100 km/h in 7.6 seconds and notes a top speed of 215 km/h behind its name. The Pulse costs around €15,400 in Brazil.
Fiat Fastback
Anyone who regularly visits AutoWeek is undoubtedly also familiar with the existence of the Fiat Fastback. The Fiat Fastback is a cross-over with a steeply sloping roofline, a so-called Coupé-SUV. Despite the fact that there is little coupé about it. The Fastback was introduced in 2022 and is in a sense a more expensive and ‘dynamically lined’ alternative to the Pulse on which it is based. In Brazil, the Fastback is therefore the absolute top model from Fiat. Just like the Fiat Pulse, the Fastback also gets a new grille, although in this case it is actually different in shape. The Fastback also gets a new front bumper. We see no noteworthy differences on the side and rear. The Abarth variant of the Pulse – which also exists – is being renewed in a similar way to the Abarth Pulse. So here too a new logo in the front and a collection of red-colored accents. The powertrains of the Fastback also correspond to those that Fiat hangs in the Pulse. The starting price of the Fastback in Brazil is around €18,700.