Chinese Fiat saloon could come to Ireland

Here are the first official images of a new mid-sized four-door Fiat saloon. The Viaggio will make its world debut at the Auto China motor show in Beijing on April 23.

Here are the first official images of a new mid-sized four-door Fiat saloon. The Viaggio will make its world debut at the Auto China motor show in Beijing on April 23.

The Viaggio, meaning 'Voyage' in Italian, is built on the 'Compact US Wide' platform launched with the Dodge Dart this year - and derived from the underpinnings of the Alfa Romeo Giulietta. Power will come from 120- and 150hp versions of Fiat's 1.4-litre T-Jet engine, which can be mated to a five-speed manual gearbox or a new dual-clutch transmission, called DDCT.

Fiat will produce the Viaggio in a new factory in Changsha, Hunan province and it will also be known as the Fei Xiang in China, meaning 'Flying'. Sales start at the end of 2012. There are no plans at this stage to offer the Viaggio for sale in Europe. However, we do suspect that, given its Italian name and origins, we'll see something like it in hatchback form in the not too distant future.

For more images and other news go to CompleteCar.ie...

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