GENEVA - The clock has been turned back, the TIPO is back, and it looks better than ever.

• The full Tipo family is unveiled, including the UK-bound five-door hatchback and five-door estate
• The new body styles 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 UK specification will include air conditioning, Bluetooth connectivity and DAB on all versions
• Pricing will be announced closer to UK launch and aims to be extremely competitive

The all-new FIAT Tipo hatchback and estate have been unveiled at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show. Joining the Tipo saloon, which was unveiled at the Istanbul Motor Show last summer, the new Tipo body styles share the same principles of exceptional roominess, specification, quality and efficiency, all stylishly packaged with a degree of elegant Italian flair that belies its impressive affordability.

The new FIAT Tipo hatchback provides exceptional roominess and is 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 estate version adds an additional 110 litres of boot space which, at 550 litres, is also class leading. 

It can carry loads of up to 1.8m in length courtesy of an extra 20cm of length (4.57m); a flip-and-fold 60/40 split rear seats and completely flat load floor. The estate body style has a height of 1.51m thanks to the standard-fit longitudinal roof bars.

Loading the boot of the estate 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 covers 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 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, including 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 estate (saloon availability in the UK TBC) will be offered in three trim levels with air conditioning, remote central locking, rear electric windows (estate only), electric mirrors, six airbags, DAB digital radio and Bluetooth connectivity with steering wheel remote controls on all versions. Full range details will be announced closer to the car’s UK launch.

The engine range will comprise five engines in total. There are 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, while the petrol engine range comprises a 1.4-litre 16v producing 95hp and 125Nm, a 1.4 turbo petrol with 120hp and 206Nm and the 1.6-litre e-TorQ engine producing 110hp and 152Nm and combined exclusively to a six-speed, torque converter automatic transmission.

The 1.6 litre turbo diesel engine, fitted with second-generation MultiJet technology and variable geometry turbocharger, delivers remarkable fuel efficiency and low emissions: On the official combined test cycle, the FIAT Tipo 1.6 MultiJet II 120hp returned 76.3mpg (3.7 litres/100km) and produces just 98g/km of CO₂emissions. This engine can also be combined with a six-speed TCT twin-clutch transmission.

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.

It goes on sale in the UK in September with pricing and range to be announced closer to the vehicle’s UK launch.

A new weekend long Ford event to be held next year for the first time, in collaboration with Ford magazines.

• New weekend-long event set to become highlight of the Ford calendar
• Featuring classic and modern Fords from across the world
• Advance tickets now available, from just £10 a head

A brand new event celebrating Britain’s most popular car brand is set to become one of the biggest highlights of the show calendar when it opens its doors for the first time in 2016.

The International Ford Fair will be held at Sandown Park, Surrey, on the outskirts of London, on the weekend of April 30-May 1, and will bring together fans of the blue oval from all over the globe.

The indoor event will feature some of the finest Fords from the UK and beyond, be them standard, restored or modified, along with premium trade stands from a variety of Ford experts and specialists. There will be live demonstrations throughout the day, along with a significant presence from two of the Ford scene’s most respected magazines – Classic Ford and Fast Ford.

Advance tickets for the show are available now, priced at just £10 per person for single day access, or £20 for the weekend (up to two children below the age of 14 go free). Those wishing to make even more of a weekend of it can also take advantage of on-site camping for an extra £10 per person, adding to the show’s festival feel. They can be bought from the show’s official website at 

http://www.theinternationalfordshow.com/

Full details of the show, the cars and the various activities will be announced nearer the date, on the event website, or via the official Facebook page and twitter feeds.

The all New Fiat family of Saloons, Hatchbacks and Estates will be renamed TIPO, an Iconic former model name.

• As previewed by the FIAT Aegea Project, the new FIAT C-segment contender will take historic FIAT Tipo name
•  Roomy and practical, the new FIAT Tipo is a member of the “Functional Family” within the FIAT brand
• Four engines for the new FIAT Tipo saloon with an emphasis on value-for-money and a straightforward model range
• The new FIAT Tipo saloon is not confirmed for the UK market at this time

FIAT’s new C-segment contender, as previewed by the FIAT Aegea Project unveiled in May at the Istanbul Motor Show, is to be known as the new FIAT Tipo. The historic name has been used by FIAT since its earliest days and is now making a comeback on a global model designed to tackle the challenges of the future.

The new FIAT Tipo saloon measures 4.5m in length, 1.78m in width and 1.48m in height, with a wheelbase of 2.64m and boot capacity of 510 litres, meaning it can accommodate five passengers and their luggage with ease. As is the case with all FIAT products, a range of reliable, muscular and efficient engines will be available - two MultiJet II turbo-diesel engines and two petrol units with power outputs ranging from 95hp to 120hp, offered with manual and automatic transmissions (depending on engine).

Inside, the new FIAT Tipo is not only styled and built to the highest standards, it is also available with the latest technological features including FIAT Chrysler Automobiles' touch-screen Uconnect™ infotainment system with hands-free Bluetooth calling and audio streaming; a rear parking camera and TomTom satellite navigation.

The new FIAT Tipo saloon sports beautifully balanced proportions and a distinctive and perfectly-resolved design, yet even with its sophisticated styling and exceptional levels of build quality, the new FIAT Tipo will be a member of the “Functional Family” within the FIAT Brand, with an emphasis on value for money and practical features, as well as a straightforward model range and pricing structure.

Designed in Italy at the FIAT Chrysler Automobiles Centro Stile, and developed in Turkey together with Tofaş R&D, one of FCA's largest research and development centres, the new FIAT Tipo will be manufactured in the Bursa plant in Turkey which has been designated Gold Medal status by World Class Manufacturing in recognition of its efficiency, quality and eco-friendliness. It will retain the FIAT Aegea name in the Turkish market only.

The new FIAT Tipo saloon has not been confirmed for the UK market at this time.

Brazilian slump causes FIAT to halt production to ease very high stock levels.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles will halt production at a plant in Brazil from today through Monday due to lower demand for cars and high stock levels. The nearly 16,000 workers at the plant in Betim, Minas Gerais, will be on paid leave.

A Fiat representative said it had previously announced paid leave from Friday through Sunday due to the Easter holiday, and had added days because of elevated supplies.

The representative declined to comment on stocks at the plant but union president Joao Alves de Almeida said the factory was manufacturing some 2,000 cars a day, down from peaks of 3,400 a few years ago, and had enough cars stocked for 40 sales days.

"This isn't good news -- it creates a climate of apprehension between the workers who are concerned about their future and maintaining their jobs," Almeida said.

On Monday another union said Volkswagen had furloughed 4,200 workers at its second-largest factory in Brazil for three weeks.

Many automakers are working to cut costs in Brazil, where sales and output are down more than 20 percent in the first two months. Jobs in the auto industry have fallen 8 percent in the 12 months through February.

REPORT HERE