2014 Fiat 500l Trekking on 2040-cars

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Fiat thinks big with new pickup for global markets

Fiat is thinking small in the United States, it will soon discontinue the 500X and bring the tiny 500e EV to our shores, but its global range will continue to include bigger models. One of its not-so-city-friendly vehicles is a medium-sized body-on-frame truck announced for Brazil. Official details about the pickup are few and far between, we don't even know what it will be called yet, but a preview image released by the company's Italian division reveals familiar styling cues. The grille, the shape of the headlights, and the kink in the beltline remind us of the Peugeot Landtrek, a body-on-frame truck designed jointly with Chinese carmaker Chang'an and sold in some global markets since 2019. Fiat hasn't confirmed that its upcoming truck is Peugeot-based but borrowing the Landtrek's platform would make sense: the two companies both live under the Stellantis umbrella. And, the Landtrek is largely sold in countries that Peugeot has historically been strong in, such as certain African nations, but it's not available in Brazil, where Fiat dominates a pickup segment growing at a surprisingly quick rate. The firm claims that its Strada, a small car-derived model that makes the Ford Maverick look a little big-boned, is the best-selling pickup in Brazil. Additional details about Fiat's next truck will emerge in the coming months. When it lands, it will join the aforementioned Strada and a unibody, Jeep Renegade-derived model called Toro in showrooms. Nothing suggests the pickup will be sold in the United States and it may not turn a wheel in Fiat's home country, where the company hasn't sold a truck since the Mitsubishi L200-derived Fullback retired in 2019. Related Video This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Fiat Truck Future Vehicles

Marchionne open to combination with Ford or GM

At the depths of the auto industry implosion, there was widely reported talk that General Motors and Chrysler would be merged into a mighty import-beating behemoth. While such notions clearly never materialized, that doesn't mean the idea is dead. In fact, FCA boss Sergio Marchionne still welcomes the idea of a partnership with either GM or Ford. He responded positively to the idea, calling it "technically feasible," when asked about it at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, Automotive News reports. "There's bantering that goes on all the time," Marchionne told AN, before quashing suspicions that a plan was in the works by adding that "nothing substantive" was going on. Our favorite black sweater enthusiast isn't quite as interested in the idea of teaming with a foreign manufacturer like PSA Peugeot Citroen, or in the rumored tie-up with Volkswagen, though. That is a shame, particularly in regards to Marchionne's shut down of a partnership with the French, although it isn't necessarily surprising – FCA already consists of eight automakers, and as Sergio told AN, there's really nothing at PSA that could help the company out. What are your thoughts? Is there an obvious project or segment that would benefit from an FCA partnership with Ford or GM? Have your say in Comments. News Source: Automotive News - sub. req.Image Credit: Marco Bertorello / AFP / Getty Images Chrysler Fiat Ford GM Sergio Marchionne FCA merger

2014 Fiat 500L Trekking takes the hatchback into the big leagues

Didn't think it was possible to pull and pry at the diminutive Fiat 500 with enough gumption to make the Italian hatchback qualify as a large car (according to the EPA, at least)? Witness the Fiat 500L Trekking, seen above. It's a full 26-inches longer than the regular 500, and it's grown six-inches taller and wider.
All that stretching means there is 42 percent more interior room in the 500L than the standard car, which means it's a good thing the only engine available is Fiat's 1.4-liter MultiAir turbo four-cylinder engine, as seen in the Abarth, with 160-horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. A manual gearbox is standard, and a dual-clutch automatic is optional, each with six gears.
The Trekking model features unique front and rear fascias and 17-inch alloy wheels to set it apart from the base 500L, and the black wheel arch and body-side sill moldings make it look more aggressive. Want to know more? Check out the high-res gallery above and scroll down below for the press release.