Bravo For The Ritmo
Sydney Morning Herald
Saturday February 9, 2008
FIAT has released its new small-car contender - a rival to European hatches such as the Volkswagen Golf.
The new Ritmo five-door hatch is in showrooms now and costs from $29,990.It is available with either a 1.4-litre (110kW) four-cylinder petrol engine or a 1.9-litre (110kW) turbo diesel. The petrol engine takes 8.2 seconds to get to 100kmh from rest and has a claimed average fuel economy of 7.1 litres/100km. The turbo diesel takes 9.0 seconds for the 0-100kmh sprint and Fiat says the average fuel consumption of 5.6L/100km. There are two levels - Emotion and Sport.The diesel Emotion model costs from $33,490. The Sport petrol model from $32,990, the diesel is $36,490.Emotion equipment levels include power windows and mirrors, cruise control, power steering, an advanced audio system, alloy wheels, two-zone air-conditioning, cooler unit for food and drinks, leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, fog lights and 16-inch alloy wheels.Extras on the Sport models include a rear spoiler, climate-control air-conditioning, sports pedals, front sports seats with lumbar adjustment for the driver's seat, sports leather steering wheel, leather-wrapped gear lever and handbrake, sports upholstery, red brake calipers, chrome window strip and 17-inch alloy wheels. The Sport versions also have a telematics system with a hands-free Bluetooth mobile phone system with steering wheel controls, a multifunction display and MP3 audio input.The Ritmo scored a five-star crash rating in recent European testing and standard safety includes stability control, anti-lock brakes, six airbags, fuel cut-off switch in case of fire and fire-resistant interior trim.All models also have a hill-holding function to stop the car rolling back.The Ritmo initially was to be called the Bravo, as it is in other markets, but Mazda would not let Fiat use the nameplate in Australia as it used to be the name of the Mazda's utility.
© 2008 Sydney Morning Herald