The Fiat Group may have exhibited both the sedan and convertible variants of the Chrysler 200 re-branded as the Lancia Flavia at the Geneva Salon in March, but at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the Italians will only bring the open top model.
Citing inside sources from the Fiat Group, Autonews reported that only the convertible version of the Flavia will make it into production as the cost of adding an essential diesel engine wiped out the business case for the sedan model in Europe.
Fiat insiders claim that while the absence of a diesel option would kill any chances of success for the saloon, the convertible can attract buyers with a gasoline-engine only.
At the Frankfurt show, the Lancia Fulvia Convertible will be displayed with a 2.4-liter gasoline engine that generates 175-horsepower and is hooked up to a 6-speed automatic transmission.
Lancia said that its version of the Chrysler 200 Convertible comes with a “wealth of standard equipment” including leather upholstery, electronic stability control (ESC) and traction, numerous airbags (front multi-stage, side and window bags), the Uconnect multimedia system complete with satellite navigation system, and a “Boston Acoustic Sound System.
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