FIAT STRADA:THE NEW MODEL IN DETAIL

STYLE

The Fiat Strada's styling suggests a sturdy, practical vehicle capable of good performance over all terrains and a strong, dynamic personality. Visually, the vehicle combines the typical features of a pick-up with unmistakable Palio family traits.

The Fiat Strada differs from other 178 project models in its grille-bumper assembly: the new design is highlighted by big air intakes and black bumpers built into the body.

The overall impression is one of a car built for demanding applications. This idea is reinforced by good floorpan ground clearance: the feature was obviously introduced for practical reasons (the ability to negotiate potholes without problems) but also gives the vehicle an image of strength and power.

The side panel ratio between cab and box is finely judged to make the vehicle look well-proportioned. The generously-dimensioned doors are also very evident. Derived from the Fiat Palio three door model, they are therefore the biggest in the 178 range.

The big doors make the model more practical and distinctive. They are also in line with current design trends for this type of vehicle. Another distinguishing feature is the spare wheel profile. This emerges from the side when stowed in the box (it can also be positioned behind the seats).

The front light clusters, based on the Fiat Palio lights, are double-reflector type. The tail-lights have been fully redesigned, and are now rounded.

The Fiat Strada owes its personality to a host of practical details that define its style: like the cab air outlets and plastic upper box protection made in one piece to convey an idea of continuity and solidity; a ladder holder integral with the rear window protection grille that can carry big objects and also gives the vehicle an unexpectedly gritty touch; and the rear platform in ridged aluminium that makes access to the load area easy and safe.

The vehicle's overall image is complemented by wide tyres and bolted-on wheelarch reinforcements. The wheel bolts are also visible.


INTERIOR

The Fiat Strada design brief was to produce a light commercial vehicle with a car-standard interior. Accordingly, it offers plenty of space for passengers and excellent comfort in quiet surroundings with careful detailing.

The comfortable, ergonomic seats provide passengers with lateral and lumbar support to make long journeys less tiring. The seats also feature height-adjustable anatomical head-restraints made out of fire-resistant material.

The seats also offer good reach and squab rake adjustments for effective adjustment to occupants of all shapes and sizes. The upper seat-belt attachment is also adjustable.

A space behind the occupants - between the seat squabs and the partition separating the passenger compartment from the load box - can be used to stow luggage safely within easy reach.

A generous expanse of glass makes the passenger compartment bright with excellent visibility in all directions.

The one-piece moulded facia is curved and - like the vehicle exterior - completely smooth. The soft, grey trim is particularly pleasing to look at and touch.

The control panel with dark background and white figures is easy to read even at night because it is back-lit. The vehicle comes with speedometer, mileometer/trip counter, coolant temperature gauge and fuel gauge.

All controls are within easy reach and even the built-in radio (available as an option) is positioned so that the driver can operate it without distraction. The headlights are aligned electrically and beam height can be adjusted to three different settings according to load.

The rim of the height-adjustable three-spoke steering wheel is coated in soft material and designed to house an airbag: this option is also available for the passenger.

The heating and ventilation system with three-speed centrifugal fan delivers an output of 400 m3/h of air and ensures occupants the constant level of wellbeing so important to preventive safety.

Good-looking Jacquard cloth trim contributes to the satisfying experience of travelling in a Fiat Strada.


LOAD COMPARTMENT

The Fiat Strada's great strength is naturally its large load area. This measures 1770 mm long and 1314 mm wide with a capacity of 1100 litres (width between wheelarches is 1090 mm). Its regular shape makes it roomy and easy to use. The floor is protected by stylish wooden slats arranged lengthways, which also make lighter work of stowing and unloading goods.

Sturdy hooks are positioned around the edges of the box and on the floor where they cannot get in the way of loading and unloading. These can be used to fasten objects securely. The side panels, also equipped with hooks, are protected by a sturdy polypropylene coating that protects the vehicle from scratches and dents.

Access to the load compartment is made easier by the low box ground clearance (605 mm) and also the presence of a tailgate that opens to 90°. The tailgate is coated with a non-slip surface and can stand a weight of 300 kg.

The Fiat Strada can also be optionally equipped with a sturdy boat-type hood to protect the load compartment. This extends flush against the side panel and performs a practical and aesthetic role.


ENGINES AND GEARBOXES

We already know the Fiat Strada's styling is strong and distinctive. We know its generous, regular load platform makes it a good workhorse. Last but not least, its power units make this model a good performer too.

The Fiat Strada can be fitted with two engines: a 1.2 MPI petrol unit or a 1.7 turbodiesel.

The petrol unit fitted to the 75 version is a member of the Fire family. It features four cylinders in line, cast iron crankcase, aluminium alloy cylinder head and sheet steel oil sump. The overhead camshaft timing system is driven by a toothed belt.

The engine develops maximum power of 54 kW (73 bhp) EC at 6000 rpm and a maximum torque of 10.6 kgm (104 Nm) at 3000 rpm.

When powered by this unit, the Fiat Strada can reach a top speed of 157 km/h (155 fully laden) and consumes 6.3 l/100 km at a constant speed of 90 km/h; 8.7 l/100 km at 120 km/h and 8.3 l/100 km (CUNA standards).

The 1698 cc turbodiesel unit fitted to the TD 70 version generates a maximum power output of 51 kW (69 bhp) EC at 4500 rpm and a maximum torque of 13.7 kgm (134 Nm) at 2500 rpm.

It is a four cylinder in line power unit with cast iron crankcase and aluminium alloy cylinder head. The overhead cam timing system is driven by a toothed belt. Injection is indirect within a combustion prechamber. The engine is turbocharged by a Garrett turbocharger. The engine is equipped with an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve to keep emissions low.

With this engine the Strada reaches a top speed of 153 km/h (151 fully laden) and fuel consumption figures are 5.9 l/100 km at 90 km/h, 8.3 l/100 km at 120 km/h and 7.3 l/100 km.

The emission levels of both engines are well within limits set by current European legislation.

The Fiat Strada gearbox comes with different ratios to make the most of each individual engine's power and torque specifications. Gear selection and shifting take place via a dual cable system to eliminate vibrations transmitted from the engine to the passenger compartment.

The vehicle's attributes of manoeuvrability, precision and low interior noise levels also remain unchanged with time.

A 'syringe' control prevents involuntary engagement of reverse.


SUSPENSION AND BRAKES

This new model grips the road well and is easy to drive. It owes much of its performance to its suspension geometry. The suspension is designed to withstand heavy loads while simultaneously keeping occupants comfortable even over difficult roads.

The independent front suspension is MacPherson type with lower wishbones in forged steel and an anti-roll bar. This geometry is shared by all 178 models and facilitates traction, particularly over slippery road surfaces. Although suited to wide tyres, it nevertheless ensures a sufficiently tight turning circle.

The rear suspension is a live axle type with single parabolic leaf springs. This layout effectively damps road surface vibrations and can also ensure maximum driving stability even when the load is not evenly distributed.

The rear axle profile is omega-shaped, i.e. the central part is raised to prevent the vehicle coming into contact with the ground even under the most difficult conditions.

The front brakes on both versions are ventilated disc type with a diameter of 257 mm. The diameter of the rear drum brakes is 228 mm and the brakes are fitted with load proportioning valves sensitive to weight changes. The self-centring shoes feature automatic play take-up.

The braking system acts via a double-crossover circuit and a nine inch brake servo.

The Fiat Strada may be optionally equipped with ABS featuring four active sensors and four channels, with an electronic brakeforce distributor (EBD) that distributes brake force effectively over all four wheels to reduce front brake temperature and brake servo thrust.



SAFETY

For a pick-up like the Fiat Strada, safety means reinforcements beneath the floorpan and between the cabin pillars, a feature that strengthens the body and increases torsional rigidity to 80,400 daN/radiant. This configuration can carry heavy loads with ease while also maintaining vehicle strength.

Although as strong as a commercial vehicle, the pick-up offers car-standard protection for its occupants. The body crumples gradually in an accident situation to safeguard the passengers. The doors are also fitted with side impact bars and the vehicle comes fitted as standard with an energy absorbing steering wheel (EAS), anti-submarining seats, fire prevention system (FPS) (locks the fuel pump and prevents fuel escaping) and a Fiat CODE antitheft system. These are supplemented by less evident but equally important devices such as shielding for vulnerable leads, heat shields on the exhaust piping, fire-resistant materials and a collapsible bonnet with safety hinges.