Fiat Fastback Breaks Cover As A Coupe-SUV For South America

Following a recent teaser, Fiat has published the first shots of the Fastback, a brand-new coupe-SUV that will soon be offered in South American markets like Brazil and Argentina. This is Fiat’s first effort in the segment which has been popularised among mainstream automakers following the earlier sales boom in the premium sector.

The Fiat Fastback is a follow-up to the 2018 concept of the same name. Predictably the design of the production version has been toned down compared to the showcar, looking more like a coupe-SUV version of the Fiat Pulse. After all, both models are based on the MLA architecture created for South America.

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The Fastback seems to have many carry-over parts from the Pulse, including the LED headlights, grille, bonnet, front fenders, front doors, and the front bumper that is sourced from the Pulse Abarth. Things change towards the back, with the tail being completely redesigned, creating a more aerodynamic silhouette.

The high-mounted, horizontally-arranged LED taillights look similar to ones on the BMW X6, while the heavily inclined rear windshield and the integrated spoiler on the tailgate are following the trend among coupe-SUVs. The rear overhang is longer than on the Pulse, and the rear bumper integrates a diffuser and faux tailpipe trim.

The pictured vehicle is painted in White Banchisa shade, contrasting with the black roof, the Dark Chrome accents, and the unpainted plastic cladding around the bodywork. It also gets a set of five-spoke alloy wheels with a diamond finish that look rather small in diameter, although we suspect that this depends on the selected trim.

The company didn’t publish pictures of the interior but we suspect it will be shared with the mechanically-related Pulse. This means it will most likely inherit the 7-inch digital instrument cluster and 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen, at least in high-end grades.

Fiat was coy on technical details but reports from local media suggest that the Fastback will get a turbocharged 1.0-liter engine producing 128 hp (96 kW / 130 PS) and 147 lb-ft (200 Nm) of torque. The model could also be offered with a naturally aspirated 1.3-liter engine producing 106 hp (79 kW / 107 PS) and 99 lb-ft (134 Nm) of torque. Both engines are already available on the Pulse, with either a manual or a CVT automatic sending power to the front axle.

We will learn more about the Fiat Fastback in the coming months as the model is expected to make its market launch in South America. We don’t know if Fiat is planning on exporting the Fastback elsewhere but it seems unlikely given the market-specific nature of its design and underpinnings.