What's the news?
In an effort to kick-start sales of its Tipo hatchback, estate and saloon (which, let's face it, have been less than stellar thus far) Fiat has chopped the pricing of the Tipo's diesel models, matching them up with the petrol versions.
That means a saving of as much as €1,750 on all the current diesel Tipos, and it also means that prices for the basic Pop model, with the 95hp 1.3-litre M-Jet diesel engine now start from the same €17,995 as the 1.4-litre 95hp petrol model. You can also get a 1.4-litre petrol turbo engine, with 120hp, or a 1.6-litre M-Jet diesel (basically the same engine as in the Alfa Romeo Giulia and Jeep Renegade), also with 120hp.
On top of that, if you put your order in before the 31st of July, Fiat will knock another €2,500 off the price, with the 'Fiat Welcome Bonus.'
Fiat also wants to remind us that the Tipo badge has more than a little history behind it, saying "the Fiat Tipo recently celebrated 30 years of functionality, simplicity and personality. The original model was launched to the public on 26th January 1988. It employed innovative manufacturing technologies and high-quality materials to guarantee reliability and quality, including a lightweight, corrosion-free plastic boot hatch."
That basic 1.3-litre M-Jet diesel might be an old design (it dates back to 2003) but it actually has some quite impressive performance figures, with claimed 97g/km CO2 emissions and 3.7 litres per 100km fuel economy (that's 76mpg). Considering that you can get standard-fit air conditioning and a five-inch touchscreen uConnect infotainment system in a family hatchback for less than the price of a basic Dacia Duster. That has to be worth a look, at least, right?