Fiat unveils next generation Uno

Fiat has released official pictures and details of its second-generation Uno, which is poised to go into production at its Betim plant in Brazil.

The new Uno will be available with a choice of two new flex-fuel petrol engines when it goes on sale in Brazil later this month. The 1.0-litre petrol unit will produce up to 75bhp of power, while the 1.4-litre petrol motor will deliver a maximum of 85bhp of power. Both engines power the front wheels through a five-speed manual gearbox.

At 3.77m long and 1.64m wide, the new Uno is positioned between the Panda and the Grande Punto. The Uno’s styling is loosely based on the Panda’s but with a slightly softened shape and is redesigned front grille and bumper.

The Uno, brought to India in the year 1997, was made at Premier Auto’s Kurla plant in mid-town Mumbai. When bookings for the car opened, Premier received so many applications that the car had a long waiting list. But  what put the spokes in the wheel were labour issues at the Kurla plant. As a result, Fiat was not able to fully realise the potential of the car. Way back then, the Uno was BS II-compliant, making its way ahead of other cars as far as emissions go.

Whether Fiat will bring the new Uno to India remains to be seen, but clearly an appropriate localisation plan will be needed to get the right pricing.