UK SALES MARCH - Fiat and its evergreen range of cars continue to post gains, the best since 2004.

• FIAT UK March sales the best monthly total since 2004
• Market share grows from 2.42% to 2.54%
• Sales driven by segment-leading FIAT 500 and the growing popularity of the FIAT 500X SUV
• With all-new FIAT Tipo and FIAT 124 Spider due before the end of the summer, the prospects for FIAT UK look positive in 2016

FIAT UK has achieved its best monthly sales total in almost 12 years with 13,190 registrations in March 2016, an increase of 10.62% compared to March of last year. 

Indeed, FIAT UK’s March registration figures are the strongest monthly figures it has posted since September 2004, when FIAT sold 13,668 vehicles. It’s also the brand’s best March since 2004, when the popularity of the FIAT Punto and FIAT Panda drove sales to 14,146 vehicles.

According to SMMT figures, sales for the iconic Italian brand have reached 18,665 for the first quarter of the year resulting in an increase in market share from 2.42% to 2.54% compared to its 2015 year-to-date figure and a further signal of the FIAT brand’s resurgent popularity.

Key to FIAT UK’s sales growth has been the arrival of the new FIAT 500 and increasing public awareness of the size, performance and capability of the FIAT 500X SUV.

The FIAT 500 was refreshed in the autumn of 2015 and is now regaining its stellar sales momentum as more buyers are won over by the benefits of its new infotainment technologies, increased personalisation options, improved refinement and subtly enhanced styling, not to mention the addition of the 1.3 MultiJet II diesel and Eco version of the popular 1.2-litre engine. With the sporty new FIAT 500S arriving in showrooms in the summer, the indications are positive that the FIAT 500 will grow in terms of popularity and success in 2016, further consolidating its position as the leader in its segment.

As the FIAT 500X range celebrates its first anniversary in the UK market, sales are now shifting into high gear as its distinctively Italian design and surprising on-road presence attract more and more customers into showrooms. The FIAT UK marketing team has also launched an innovative media plan featuring a new advertising campaign - tailored to the UK and developed hand in hand with FIAT HQ - which reinforces the size, versatility and fun-to-drive characteristics of the FIAT 500X. This plan, combined with a positive response to the 500X from the motoring media, has seen sales jump from just a handful a year ago to 2,863 in March 2016, making it the fourth best seller in the compact SUV segment.

With the FIAT 124 Spider roadster and FIAT Tipo range all set to arrive before the end of the summer, the prospects for the brand look increasingly positive as 2016 progresses.

Sebastiano Fedrigo, Country Manager FIAT UK, commented, “We were confident that 2016 would be a turning point for the FIAT brand in the UK and so far this is proving to be the case. The careful enhancements our designers and engineers made to the FIAT 500 were exactly in line with what our customers wanted and as the visibility of the FIAT 500X increases as more hit the streets, we’ve shifted our marketing focus to emphasis its true capability and versatility. It’s always a challenge to enter a new segment but momentum is building behind the 500X and we expect this success to grow, especially as the new FIAT 124 Spider and FIAT Tipo draw even more customers to our dealerships.”

The FIAT 500 range starts at £11,050 OTR while the FIAT 500X range is priced from £14,295 OTR. The three-model FIAT 500L line-up (500L, MPW and Trekking) starts from £13,665 OTR while the three-model Panda range (Panda, 4X4, Cross) is available from £9,510 OTR. The other models in the FIAT range include the FIAT Punto (£11,485 OTR), the FIAT Qubo (£12,695 OTR) and FIAT Doblo (£13,775 OTR).

New Beats Edition™ added to FIAT's 500L range.

• Special FIAT 500L Beats Edition™ model announced, a collaboration between FIAT and premium audio brand Beats by Dr. Dre 
• Unique exterior and interior style combines with high standard specification including 520W BeatsAudio™ audio system
• Two new 120hp engines – one petrol and one diesel – also available across the 500L range
• The FIAT 500L Beats Edition™

The FIAT 500L range goes from strength to strength in 2014 with the announcement of a new special edition, new engine variants and new optional equipment.

The new FIAT 500L Beats Edition™ blends cutting-edge technology with a cool, urban look, combining the chunky go-anywhere styling of the 500L Trekking with an eye-catching, two-tone, grey/black colour scheme finished in a choice of gloss and matte finishes. Further styling enhancements include 17-inch alloy wheels, wheel arch extensions, side skirts and bumper inserts, all finished in black, as well as mirror fairings, front “whiskers” and the tailgate handle in satin chrome. Red brake callipers and red inserts in the mirror fairings complete the distinctive “Beats” look.

The interior of the FIAT 500L Beats Edition™ has also been enhanced with automatic dual-zone climate control as standard, as well as a matte-grey dashboard panel and a Total Black interior pack which includes special black fabric/eco-leather seat upholstery complete with red, embroidered '500' logos on the front backrests.

Naturally, a premium BeatsAudio™ audio system is also standard, employing the latest Beats by Dr. Dre technology to provide a rich, immersive listening experience for all occupants. With a total output of 520W via an eight-channel DSP-equipped amplifier, the seven-speaker system (there are two subwoofer channels) employs advanced equalisation algorithms to recreate the sound spectrum that artists experience during studio recordings. The outstanding performance of the BeatsAudio™ system is indicative of the quality that has helped the “Beats by Dr. Dre” brand enjoy such rapid growth in the U.S. and, more recently, in Europe.

Based around the FIAT 500L Trekking, the new FIAT 500L Beats Edition™ also features the Trekking’s revised suspension, Mud and Snow tyres, City Brake Control and FIAT’s Traction+ traction control system as standard. Additional features, also standard on the Trekking, include rear electric windows, front fog lights, a touchscreen Uconnect infotainment system, automatic headlights, rain sensors and rear privacy glass.

The FIAT 500L Beats Edition™ is available with two petrol engines, the new 120hp 1.4 T-Jet and the 105hp 0.9 TwinAir Turbo, as well as two turbo-diesel power plants: the 105hp 1.6 MultiJet II and new 120hp 1.6 MultiJet II.

Pricing and final specification details will be announced closer to the UK launch of the FIAT 500L Beats Edition™ in mid-March 2014.

New 120hp engine derivatives for the FIAT 500L range

In order to maintain its top-selling status in its segment in Europe, with a market share of 17.2 percent, the FIAT 500L range broadens its appeal still further with more engine derivatives for 2014. Available across the 500L range, including the new FIAT 500L Beats Edition™, two new 120hp engines are now available - the 1.6 MultiJet II turbo-diesel and the 1.4 T-Jet petrol.

The EU6-approved, 1.6 MultiJet II turbo-diesel engine is equipped with a variable geometry turbocharger, developed by Honeywell, and develops 120hp at 3,750 rpm and 320Nm of torque at 1,750 rpm. Top speed increases to 117mph (up from 112mph with the 105hp engine) while the 0-62mph sprint is now dispatched in 10.7 seconds (versus 11.3 seconds). Combined consumption dips only slightly to 61.4mpg (versus 62.8mpg) while CO2 emissions of 120 g/km (+3g/km) ensure it remains in the same tax and BIK band as the 105hp engine.

The EU6-ready 1.4 T-Jet petrol offers an identical 120hp at 5,000rpm but its maximum 215Nm of torque is available from just 2,500rpm, ensuring a broad and flexible performance range. Top speed is 117mph while the 0-62mph dash takes just 10.2 seconds, with combined-cycle fuel economy figure of 40.9mpg and CO2 emissions of 159 g/km.

These new engines will go on sale in the UK in mid-March with pricing to be announced shortly.

Finally, for 2014, two new packs are now available on the FIAT 500L and 500L MPW. The new “Premium Pack” offers £1,720-worth of luxury equipment for just £1,300. Full beige or grey leather upholstery; a ParkView rear parking camera and a five-inch touchscreen Uconnect system with DAB and satellite navigation are all included in the pack, which is offered on the Lounge model only. In addition, a new “Living Pack”, comprised of heated front seats, height adjustable front seats, driver- and passenger-seat adjustable lumbar support and a front arm rest, can be combined with the Premium Pack for an additional £450, a saving of £125 versus the standard combined price of these options.

New Fiat 500L MPW on sale now in the UK, not a pretty car this one.

• New FIAT 500L MPW has arrived in UK showrooms
• Available in 5-seat and 5+2-seat* configurations
• Most compact 5+2-seat* people carrier in the segment
• Two trim levels, four engines and
• 7 body colours and 9 bicolour combinations
• Prices start from £15,795 OTR for the 500L 1.4 Pop Star

Following the successful launch of the FIAT 500L in March and the 500L Trekking in June, the newest member of the 500L range now goes on sale in the UK: The new FIAT 500L MPW.

The 500L MPW is the perfect expression of FIAT’s know-how in making space-efficient cars with a twist - combining the charm and agility of the FIAT 500 with the comfort and contents of a C-segment car and the space and the versatility of a people carrier.

In either five-seat or optional 5+2-seat* configuration, the FIAT 500L MPW offers two compelling packages: As a five-seat vehicle the FIAT 500L MPW is a credible alternative to a traditional C-segment estate, combining exceptional roominess and comfort with an impressive load capacity of 638 litres and all within a footprint at least 20cm shorter overall.

As a people carrier it is the most compact 5+2-seater* in its segment, measuring just 4,352mm in length, 1784mm in width and 1,667mm in height, while still offering the same kind of load-carrying versatility of the five-seat version when its rearmost seats are folded flat and stored neatly under the boot the floor.

The new Fiat 500L MPW will be offered in two trim levels: Pop Star and Lounge. Equipment highlights on the Pop Star version include air conditioning, cruise control, 16-inch alloy wheels, a 5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Uconnect, six airbags, a full suite of stability and traction control safety systems as well as rear parking sensors.

The Lounge version builds on the Pop Star’s high specification level by adding rear electric windows, front fog lights, dual-zone automatic climate control, automatic headlamps, rain sensors,
front seats with seat back tables and storage nets, an electro-chromatic rear view mirror, rear privacy glass, floor mats and an electric glass sunroof.

The new FIAT 500L MPW engine range consists of four power plants: The 95hp 1.4-litre petrol (5-seat only); the 105hp 0.9 TwinAir petrol; the 85hp 1.3 MultiJet (also available with the Dualogic automatic transmission) and the 105hp 1.6-litre MultiJet. A total of 9 different colour choices are available, plus a variety of contrasting roof and mirror colour combinations, as well as a range of alloy wheels in different sizes, styles and colours.

Prices for the FIAT 500L MPW start at £15,795 for the 1.4 Pop Star while the 7-seat versions start at £17,990 for either the TwinAir 105hp Pop Star or 1.3 MultiJet 85hp Pop Star.

FIAT 500L MPW, first official pictures and info

• The wider ‘living space’ of its segment: 5 + 2 seats in only 4 metres and 35 centimetres
• The only car in the segment with a load capacity of 638 litres
• The first car for the whole family: the unique Fiat 500 design combined with the best interior space/external dimensions ratio
• Agile and compact as a mid-size car, comfortable and capable as a Station Wagon, roomy and functional as a Multi Purpose Wagon

Fiat presents the first official photos of the Fiat 500L MPW (called ‘Living’ in the rest of Europe), the new model that will have its world preview in July on the sixth anniversary of the 500 family.  A development of the icon launched in 2007, the new car is for living life to the full, a car which reaches out directly to a diverse public, attentive to new features and looking for a balance of functionality and design, to make room for their many interests and intended uses without compromising on style.

The new Fiat has all the charm of the 500, the agility of a city-car, is as compact as a mid-size car, has the comfort and contents of a C-segment station wagon or saloon and the space and the versatility of an MPV. These are the ingredients of a new conception of the car, which is not based solely on technical specifications, but also on how it is experienced in life, to create a magic combination.

The 500L MPW is therefore the perfect marriage of effective use of space and unmistakeable ‘made in Fiat’ design. With an additional third row of seats, the new car is the most compact ‘5 + 2-seater’ MPV in its segment: it is 435 cm long, 178 cm wide and 167 cm high. What’s more, despite being 20 cm shorter than a C-segment Station Wagon, the Fiat 500L MPW ensures exceptional values in terms of comfort, space and load capacity, as demonstrated by a volume of 638 litres.

The new model therefore assumes its position as the first car for the whole family which reaches out to all consumers, able to win over both men, thanks to its characteristics of functionality and efficiency, and women, due to its beauty, intelligence and style. And it’s bound to please children as well: to their eyes it will be attractively spacious. In short, the Fiat 500L MPW  is the superlative expression of Fiat’s characteristic ingenuity in creating vehicles that make everyday life more simple, and a bit more fun as well.

At launch, the Fiat 500L MPW will be equipped with two petrol engines - 95 HP 1.4 16v and 105 HP 0.9 TwinAir Turbo - as well as two turbodiesels: 105 HP 1.6 MultiJet II and 85 HP 1.3 MultiJet II, the latter also with automatic transmission.

The range includes two trim levels (Pop Star and Lounge), both with 5 or 7 seats, 19 body colours (including 11 two-tone combinations) and 6 interior trims, 15 different types in terms of alloy wheels and hub caps: in total, no fewer than 282 combinations are possible. The new Fiat 500L MPW offers equipment worthy of a higher segment, as demonstrated by the new leather interiors, integrated navigation system and rear camera to assist with reversing manoeuvres.

The Fiat 500L MPW will be produced in the new Serbian factory at Kragujevac, while orders will open in July in Italy, to be extended progressively to the other countries of Europe.