IRELAND - The All-New C-Segment Fiat Tipo gets three bodystyles for Ireland, with Hatchback and SW now and Sedan in January.

• Details of the Fiat Tipo Hatchback and Station Wagon body styles are now confirmed for Ireland
• Both body styles of new Fiat Tipo offer exceptional roominess and practicality with class leading legroom and boot space
• Five engines available, two diesel and three petrol, with automatic and dual-clutch transmission available
• High standard Irish specification includes air conditioning, Bluetooth connectivity and full size spare wheel on all versions
• Saloon body type will be added to the range from 1^st January 2017
• Prices start at just €17,995 for the Fiat Tipo Hatchback and €19,245 for the Tipo Station Wagon

Fiat Ireland will re-enter the popular C Segment when the all-new Fiat Tipo Hatchback and Station Wagon go on sale next month with prices starting from €17,995.

The all-new Fiat Tipo hatchback and Station Wagon both offer exceptional roominess, high specification, robust quality and outstanding efficiency, not to mention its stylish Italian flair.

The new Fiat Tipo hatchback is deceptively roomy, and capable of accommodating three six-feet-plus adult passengers in the rear - thanks to class-leading legroom and outstanding headroom - within its 4.37m long, 1.79m wide and 1.50m tall dimensions. 

Its boot capacity is also best-in-class with a volume of 440 litres, while the Station Wagon version adds an additional 110 litres of boot space which, at 550 litres, is also class leading. The Station Wagon can also carry loads of up to 1.8m in length courtesy of an extra 20cm (4.57m) and its flip-and-fold 60/40 split rear seats provide a completely flat load floor. The Station Wagon body style has a height of 1.51m thanks to the standard-fit longitudinal roof bars.

Loading the boot of the Station Wagon is aided by a low load sill with reconfigurable components such as an adjustable load floor and removable side storage panels to further increase the width of the luggage compartment. The roller cover can conveniently be removed with one hand and stored under the floor panel, while two lights, two bag hooks and four load-retaining hooks positioned on the floor provide added convenience.

The Fiat Tipo features numerous cabin compartments with a variety of shapes and capacities totalling no less than 12 litres. Easily reachable by driver and passengers, these compartments are perfect for storing personal objects, smartphones, game consoles, bottles, coins and much more, and there is also a USB port for charging and connecting devices. Maximum comfort is assured by the excellent driving ergonomics and the convenient arrangement of the secondary controls which can be reached easily without the driver having to take their eyes off the road.

In terms of the model range, both the Hatchback and Station Wagon will be offered in three trim levels in keeping with other models in the Fiat Functional Family – Pop, Easy and Lounge.

The Pop trim level is equipped with air conditioning, remote central locking, front and rear electric windows, body-coloured door mirrors with electric adjustment, six airbags, chrome door handles, split rear seats, a front seat centre arm rest, full size spare wheel, USB and Bluetooth connectivity with steering wheel remote controls. The Station Wagon adds longitudinal roof bars.

Key options for the Pop version include front fog lights (€150), dark tinted rear windows (€175), 16-inch alloy wheels (€500), rear parking sensors (€250) and a five-inch Uconnect touchscreen system with Live services, DAB and satellite navigation (€800).

The Easy trim level adds a five-inch Uconnect touchscreen infotainment system, a leather-trimmed steering wheel and gear knob, LED daytime running lights, 16-inch alloy wheels, front fog lights, rear parking sensors and cruise control. The price for the Easy trim level trim is currently set at the same price (€17,995) as the entry level Pop by way of a consumer offer for Q1, offering exceptional content, value for money and making it easier for customers to choose the best Tipo for their needs and budget.

Also included with the Easy version are the Uconnect LIVE services, which combines with a smartphone app (available via App Store or Google Play) to offer music streaming with Deezer and TuneIn, news from Reuters and the ability to stay in touch with friends via Facebook Check-in and Twitter, not to mention monitoring vehicle performance, efficiency and maintenance status with eco:Drive and my:Car.

Key options for this trim level include a satellite navigation upgrade (just €500), reversing camera (€250) and Comfort Pack (climate control, driver’s side lumbar adjustment and rear arm rest at €750). Two Safety Packs are available, with Safety Pack B offering a speed limiter and Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) for €250 and Safety Pack A adding adaptive cruise control (ACC) in addition to the speed limiter and AEB for €600. Safety Pack A is not available with the Pop trim level or 1.4-litre engine.

The Lounge trim level, which is priced just €1,250 above the equivalent Easy version, builds on the specification of the mid-range Tipo but adds satellite navigation with TomTom LIVE services including HD Traffic, climate control, 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic lights and wipers, rear view camera, driver’s side lumbar support and a chrome pack all as standard. Key options include leather upholstery with heated seats (€1,000) and Safety Packs A (€600) and B (€250).

The engine range comprises five engines in total. There are three petrol engines, a 1.4-litre 16v producing 95hp and 127Nm, a 1.4 T-Jet turbo petrol with 120hp and 206Nm and the 1.6-litre e-TorQ engine producing 110hp and 152Nm (combined exclusively to a six-speed, torque converter automatic transmission) and two turbo diesel engines – a 1.3-litre MultiJet II producing 95hp and 200Nm and a 1.6-litre MultiJet II with an output of 120hp and 320Nm.

The entry-level 1.4-litre 16v FIRE delivers 95hp at 6,000 rpm and 127Nm at 4,500 rpm and is equipped with a six-speed manual gearbox as standard. It is capable of accelerating the Fiat Tipo Hatchback from  standstill to 100km/h in 12.1 seconds (12.3 for the Station Wagon) and on to a top speed of 185kph (both body styles). The official combined cycle fuel economy figure is 5.7 l/100km for both body styles and their CO2 emissions are both 132g/km. Prices for the 1.4 Hatchback start at €17,995 and prices for the Station Wagon start at €19,245, just €1,250 more than its hatchback equivalent.

The 1.4-litre T-Jet (turbo petrol) engine develops 120hp at 5,000rpm and 215Nm from just 2,500rpm and again it is combined with a six-speed manual gearbox as standard. The 0-100kph dash is dispatched in a lively 9.6 seconds (9.8 seconds for the SW) and top speed for both body styles is 199kph. Official combined cycle fuel economy figures (47.1mpg) and CO2 emissions (139g/km) are also the same for both body styles. Prices for the 1.4 T-Jet start at just €19,245 for the Hatchback (mid Easy trim) and €20,495 for the Station Wagon (mid Easy trim).

For customers seeking an automatic petrol car, the 1.6-litre E-torQ petrol engine has been combined exclusively with a torque-converter six-speed automatic transmission for smooth shifting, minimal maintenance and greater refinement. Producing 110hp at 5,500rpm and 152Nm of torque at 4,500rpm, it can accelerate the Fiat Tipo from 0-100kph in just 11.5 seconds (11.7 seconds for the SW) and on to a top speed of 192kph (both body styles). An official combined cycle economy figure of 44.8mpg and emissions of 147g/km applies to both body styles.

The 1.3-litre MultiJet II 95hp engine combines strong performance with extremely low running costs, thanks to its variable geometry turbo charger and third-generation Common Rail MultiJet II injection system. It is equipped with a five-speed manual gearbox and Start & Stop as standard, and develops 95hp at 3,750rpm and 200Nm from 1,500 rpm. It is capable of accelerating from 0-100kph in 12.0 seconds (12.3 in the SW) and top speed is 180kph, while official combined cycle fuel economy figure is 76.3mpg and CO2 emission are 99g/km for both hatchback and Station Wagon. Prices for the 1.3-litre MultiJet II 95hp start at just €19,745 for the Hatchback and €20,995 for the Station Wagon.

The top diesel engine in the range is the 1.6 MultiJet II 120hp unit and in the Tipo it is combined with a six-speed manual gearbox or Fiat’s new DDCT six-speed dual clutch automatic transmission. It produces 120hp at 3,750rpm and 320Nm at 1,750rpm and the manual model is capable of accelerating to 62kph from a rest in 9.8 seconds (10.1 in the SW), while the top speed, official combined cycle fuel consumption figure and CO2 emissions are the same for both bodies – 199kph, 76.3mpg and 98g/km respectively.

The Fiat Tipo was designed in Italy by the Fiat Style Centre, developed in Turkey together with Tofaş R&D, one of FCA's largest research and development centres, and made in the Tofaş plant in Bursa – one of the world's best automotive factories, which has received a World Class Manufacturing Gold Medal.

Since its world première at the Istanbul Motor Show in May 2015 and its presentation to the international press last November, the Fiat Tipo has collected the prestigious Autobest "Best Buy Car 2016" award, chosen by a jury of 26 international journalists.

The all-new Fiat Tipo goes on sale in Ireland from 4^th November in hatchback and station wagon body styles while the saloon body style will join the range from 1^st January 2017. 

FIAT TIPO HATCHBACK
ENGINE/FUEL/POWER/TRANSMISSION	CO2	OTR PRICE
1.4 Petrol 95hp MT	132	€17,995
1.3 MultiJet II Turbo Diesel 95hp MT	99	€19,745
1.4 Petrol 95hp MT	132	€17,995
1.6 E-TorQ 110hp AT6	147	€20,495
1.3 MultiJet II Turbo Diesel 95hp MT	99	€19,745
1.6 MultiJet II Turbo Diesel 120hp MT	98	€20,995
1.4 T-Jet Turbo Petrol 120hp MT	139	€19,245
1.6 MultiJet II Turbo Diesel 120hp DDCT	99	€22,245
1.4 Petrol 95hp MT	132	€19,245
1.6 E-TorQ 110hp AT6	147	€22,245
1.3 MultiJet II Turbo Diesel 95hp MT	99	€20,995
1.6 MultiJet II Turbo Diesel 120hp MT	98	€22,245
1.4 T-Jet Turbo Petrol 120hp MT	139	€20,495
1.6 MultiJet II Turbo Diesel 120hp DDCT	99	€23,495
FIAT TIPO STATION WAGON
1.4 Petrol 95hp MT	132		€19,245
1.3 MultiJet Turbo Diesel 95hp MT	99		€20,995
1.4 Petrol 95hp MT	132		€19,245
1.6 E-TorQ 110hp AT6	147		€21,745
1.3 MultiJet II Turbo Diesel 95hp MT	99		€20,995
1.6 MultiJet II Turbo Diesel 120hp MT	98		€22,245
1.4 T-Jet Turbo Petrol 120hp MT	139		€20,495
1.6 MultiJet II Turbo Diesel 120hp DDCT	TBC		€23,495
1.4 Petrol 95hp MT	132		€20,495
1.6 E-TorQ 110hp AT6	147		€22,995
1.3 MultiJet II Turbo Diesel 95hp MT	99		€22,245
1.6 MultiJet II Turbo Diesel 120hp MT	98		€23,495
1.4 T-Jet Turbo Petrol 120hp MT	139		€21,745
1.6 MultiJet II Turbo Diesel 120hp DDCT	TBC		€24,745

May European car registrations show a shift even further towards SUV's and away from the standard compact of previous years.

• Car registrations in Europe recorded the best May results since 2012
• SUVs and sports cars drove growth with volumes up by 29% and 28% respectively
• Renault’s registrations up by 34% boosted by the Clio and Captur
• Volkswagen lost market share following a decline posted by the Golf

New car registrations in the 29 markets analysed by JATO Dynamics show that the positive trend in automotive sales is continuing – with new car registrations during May 15.1% higher than the same month in 2015. 

A total of 1.33 million units were recorded, the second highest total this year and the best result in May since 2012. Last month’s percentage growth was also the highest so far this year, and surpasses the 1.5% increase recorded between in May 2015 and May 2014. 

The growth is due to strong increases in four of the five largest markets, with Italy up by 28% and France in fourth position with its volume increasing by 22%. Belgium, Poland, Czech Republic, Greece and Hungary also recorded significant increases.

Volkswagen was the best-selling brand, with 148,600 units registered, accounting for 11.2% market share. By comparison, in May 2015, its volume accounted for 12.4% of the total market. Last month’s market share for Volkswagen was the lowest in May since 2008. 

The German brand recorded decreases in major markets such as Germany and Spain, with each declining by 1%, the UK was down by a significant 7% and the Netherlands fell by a dramatic 17%. 

In comparison, the brand grew its market share in some markets such as Belgium, Switzerland, Greece, Sweden and Czech Republic. During May, sales of Volkswagen SUVs were down by 14% whilst compact cars were down by 3%. The most significant movement in May was Renault surpassing the 100,000 units mark with an outstanding 34% increase. 

This was due to demand in its home market, France, where it increased sales by 33%, strong increases in Italy, where it was the second best-selling brand, as well as increases in Germany and Spain. As a result, the French brand was able to increase its market share from 6.6% in May 2015 to 7.7% in 2016, reaching the highest May point since 2010. 

Its SUVs and subcompacts drove the growth with 79% and 26% growth respectively. Volkswagen and Renault were followed by the other three big mainstream brands: Ford which was negatively affected by the UK market, Opel/Vauxhall which saw UK volume fall by 21% and Peugeot which benefited from French growth.

The premium ranking was led by Audi which recorded 75,000 units, which is more than 5,000 units ahead of Mercedes and BMW, which both recorded 69,700 units. 

In contrast to Volkswagen, Audi posted a 19% increase thanks to higher demand in Germany, Italy and Spain. Mercedes was the second best-selling premium, increasing its volume by 13%, but this was only five units ahead of BMW, which recorded a bigger growth of 22%. 

Fiat was seventh in the ranking buoyed by the Italian market where its registrations grew by 33%. This brand recorded its second best market share since February 2011.

“The premium brands are clearly benefiting from the positive growth in Europe. Mainstream brands such as Renault, Peugeot and Fiat are also benefiting from Volkswagen’s slowdown,” commented Felipe Munoz, Global Automotive Analyst at JATO Dynamics.

Infiniti was again the brand to post the highest percentage increase, with a significant 150% jump, with 1,224 units sold in May, of which 887 were its compact Q30. Jaguar sold 5,700 units, a 121% rise, thanks to sales of the XE midsize sedan and the F-Pace, the brand’s first SUV which sold 1,477 units. Other big improvers include Bentley (+65%), Abarth (+60%), Ssangyong (+57%), Honda (+32%), Lancia (+32%), Mazda (+31%), Jeep (+30%) and Lexus (+26%).

While the model ranking was led by the Volkswagen Golf, the real drivers of change were the Renault Clio and Captur, and the Peugeot 208. Registrations for the Golf were down by 2% to 43,900 units, taking it to its lowest market share since June 2011 - 3.23%. In contrast, the Opel/Vauxhall Astra, Skoda Octavia and Peugeot 308 outperformed the segment’s growth of 11%. 

The Clio boosted the B-Segment’s registrations with a rise of 25% which took the segment’s growth to 12%. Other models recording growth included the Volkswagen Polo (+16%), Peugeot 208 (+30%), Toyota Yaris (+20%) and Dacia Sandero (+32%). The Captur meanwhile was the best-selling SUV. 

Last month’s SUVs registrations accounted for 24.4% of the European total, up by 2.7 percentage points compared to May 2015. This segment was mainly boosted by strong sales of B-SUVs, and particularly an 82% increase posted by the Fiat 500X. 

In addition, the Jeep Renegade grew by 53% and the Suzuki Vitara posted a 39% rise, the Ford Ecosport posted a significant 109% increase and the Mazda CX-3 posted a 497% rise.

Compact SUVs (C-SUV) recorded a 34% volume increase thanks to the new Hyundai Tucson, in second position behind the Nissan Qashqai which posted a 10% increase. Within this ranking the Kia Sportage recorded strong growth of 43%, the Renault Kadjar posted a 520% increase and the Ford Kuga recorded a 44%, which outperformed the Volkswagen Tiguan which was down by 18%, moving from second to the sixth position in this subsegment. 

Demand for the largest SUVs (D-SUV and E-SUV) expanded by 26% with the Mercedes GLC, Nissan X-Trail, Land Rover Discovery Sport, Volvo XC90 and Audi Q7, all recording significant increases.

MPVs continued to lose ground with registrations up by 9% as the Volkswagen Touran and Fiat 500L’s gains were offset by the fall posted by the Volkswagen Golf Sportsvan and Renault Scenic. 

Midsize sedan/SW was the fifth best-selling segment with a stable market share of 8.8%, it was led by the Volkswagen Passat, Audi A4 and Mercedes C-Class. The market was completed by the City-cars segment which posted 9% growth, Large sedan/SW with 7% growth, Sport cars which was up by 28% thanks to the Ford Mustang at third place, and the luxury segment which grew by 4%.

Felipe Munoz, Global Automotive Analyst at JATO Dynamics concluded: “The market is continuing to experience positive growth with many segments increasing sales. Small SUVs continue to be the big winners whilst MPVs lost out as consumers look towards more appealing designs.”

Many thanks to JATO Dynamics for the use of the

information included within this press release.