Test: Fiat Fastback has Compass engine, Renegade price, but less space than C3 | Tests

The most recent endeavor is with the Fastback, a Pulse-derived SUV coupe that hits stores between the end of September and the beginning of October for, who knows, convince an audience that would not normally enter a Fiat store to put a Fiat in the garage. Prices range from R$129,990 to R$149,990. The latter is exactly the amount requested by the evaluated version, Limited Edition.

The expectations of the Italians are great – sell 2,500 to 3,000 units every month. The competition too. With just one car, Fiat hopes to fight from the entry of the segment, along with the Pulse itself and the Volkswagen Nivus, to the main strip, currently occupied by T-Cross, Hyundai Creta, Jeep Renegade, Chevrolet Tracker, Nissan Kicks and the Renault Duster and Captur.

To face such a challenge, the Fastback needs to be big. And is. That’s 4.43 meters, more than any other compact SUV on sale in Brazil today. It’s even bigger than the Compass, considered an average SUV.

Side image shows that Fastback has great swing — Photo: Disclosure

But the reality is that Fastback is like those doughs that have been given too much yeast and too little filling. When it comes out of the oven, the bread is large, but with little content inside. In the case of the Fiat, this happens when we compare the generous length with the small wheelbase. It’s only 2.53 m, the smallest in its category, along with its “brother” Pulse. Want to hear another comparison? Come on. Even the Citroën compact hatch C3 beats the new Fiat in this regard – even by a measly centimeter.

This discrepancy in measures has a simple explanation: cost reduction. It’s cheaper to grow a car at the ends than between the wheels.. That’s why the Fastback has the same wheelbase as the Pulse, from which it “borrows” the MLA platform, part of the look and an infinity of parts.

Front of the Fiat Fastback is identical to that of the Pulse Abarth — Photo: Disclosure

Disassociating the two models is a virtually impossible task. The similarities are in your face, literally.. Even the B column, the one just beyond the front doors, are basically the same car. The front of the Fastback is identical to that of the Pulse Abarth. In truth, the SUV coupe was designed first and only then lent the look to the sporty version that hits stores in the coming months.

But the first inspiration was another. Back in 2018, Fiat showed the Toro-inspired Fastback concept at the Auto Show. The SUV coupe lines were maintained, but everything that mentioned the pickup ended up being left out. Thus, the optical set divided into two floors gave way to a single piece with a slender shape.. The thick-framed grille is hexagonal and filled with a honeycomb pattern, and the air intakes are vertical. It’s obvious that the set is reminiscent of the Pulse, but there’s a lot of personality – especially from the side onwards.

Thick C-pillar and tapered headlamps are striking on the rear of the Fiat Fastback — Photo: Disclosure

Fiat designers nailed the Fastback’s rear. The long overhang could make the look disproportionate, but the wide C-pillar with creases and the prolonged drop of the roof brought a striking and unprecedented style in this segment – not even Nivus has that much personality. Keeping the proper proportions, the rear resembles that of the BMW X4.

From a rational point of view, a coupe SUV brings yet another advantage: bigger trunk. And Fiat took advantage of this body style like few other brands and gave the Fastback the largest luggage compartment in the segment. It’s 516 liters – 100 more than the Nivus, one of the direct rivals. The downside is that the arched roof limits headroom for rear seat occupants – and I’m not even one of the tallest people at 1.73m.

Fiat Fastback has the largest trunk in the category — Photo: Disclosure

But the Fastback must make up for the limited space with performance and equipment. The evaluated version, Limited Edition Powered by Abarth (yes, that’s the official name), is the only one to offer the engine combination. 1.3 turbo 185 hp and 27.5 kgfm with a six-speed automatic transmission already available in other Stellantis cars, such as Renegade, Compass and Commander and Toro.

The big thing is that the SUV coupe is the lightest of the models to receive this set.. At 1,304 kg, he’s not quite a featherweight, but he’s in better shape than his peers. The consequence is that Fastback goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.1 seconds and reaches 210 km/h.

In the quick contact with the Fastback, in a journey of approximately 100 km on smooth asphalt roads and few curves, it was possible to notice that the SUV coupe runs more “loosely” than the Renegade, for example. This can be explained by the 176 kg that separate the two models – the Jeep is heavier, despite being smaller.

Fiat Fastback with 1.3 engine passes 200 km/h — Photo: Disclosure

This feature also contributes to the smooth operation of the six-speed automatic gearbox. please note that the gear ratio is the same in both SUVs – what changes is the differential, a little shorter on the Fiat.

Remember that story of trying to change the brand’s profile with better cars? The Fastback, according to Fiat, is the last chapter of this transformation. And more than design or marketing, engineering also had to work to differentiate the SUV coupe from the Pulse. And from Argo. And the rest of the line.

A few small details prove this concern. The wheels are secured with five screws – up from four on the Pulse. Using the same model as a comparison, the air conditioning box is unprecedented and there are ventilation outlets for the rear seats.

Electronic handbrake is unprecedented on the Fiat Fastback — Photo: Disclosure

The seat structure is fixed to the same anchor points, but there is exclusive upholstery, more comfortable and better finished.. The handbrake gave way to the electronic button-activated system and the suspension, which preserves the Pulse architecture – McPherson in front and torsion axle in the rear, had stabilizer bar, springs and dampers changed in the name of a more precise touch.

At the wheel, the Fastback proves to be slightly superior to the Pulse on steering and suspension adjustments. But it’s a notch below the Renegade. The wind noise invading the cabin at speeds above 100 km/h drew attention negatively.

Interior of the top-of-the-line Fiat Fastback features leather seats and digital instrument panel — Photo: Disclosure

in equipment, the top-of-the-line version is among the best positioned in the segment. There are automatic emergency braking, side airbags, lane departure alert with steering wheel correction, digital instrument panel with 7-inch screen, 10.1″ multimedia center with Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay, leather seats, wheels 18-inch, full LED headlights and lanterns, cell phone charging by induction and digital air conditioning. Sunroof, curtain airbags and blind spot alert are not even offered as options.

Will Fastback be able to change Fiat’s status? Or will it be another frustrated foray into the upper segment?

It’s too early to pin down an answer. But considering the product and the market, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Fastback among the best sellers in this segment. Even though it is less spacious and not as refined as some of its peers. It would be a fair way to honor the memory of Tempra and co.

Fiat Fastback 2023 — Photo: Disclosure

Do you want access to exclusive content from autosport? it’s just click here to access the digital magazine.