The next model that Fiat will introduce for its Australian launch will be named Ritmo and will be officially unveiled at the 2007 Australian International Motor Show in Sydney on October 11, 2007. The Italian car maker has created Ritmo the mid-size five door hatchback to compliment the award winning Fiat Punto which has helped Fiat to return to Australia last year.



Fiat Punto is also named as Bravo in most markets and Australia is just one of the markets in which Fiat is using a different name due to another car maker already having the “Bravo” name registered.



David Stone, General Manager for Fiat Cars in Australia explains, “Ritmo, like Bravo, is a name that was used for one of the new model’s predecessors, a car that not only provided Fiat with strong sales in the 1970s and 80s, but which also produced what is often named as one of the world’s best remembered TV commercials of all time, 'Hand-built by Robots'. That advertisement marked the achievement that the original Ritmo was the first car to be built almost entirely by robots, now an industry standard, and demonstrated the Fiat Group’s domination in the automated car production line market with its ‘Robotgate’ production lines.”



The new Fiat Ritmo has taken its style, performance, and advanced diesel technology from Fiat Punto. For its Australian lineup it will include a 110 kW 1.9 liter Multijet Turbo Diesel and a new turbocharged version of the 1.4 liter engine from the Punto. Producing an impressive 110 kW, the new 1.4 liter T-Jet engine is light and packed with high performance that delivers significant fuel economy as compared to other engines that offer similar power from larger and heavier power units.



And just like the Punto, the new Ritmo has achieved a five star Euro-NCAP safety rating. It is also fully equipped, loaded with car features, and provide spacious and stylish interior that matched its refined and classy exterior.



The pricing and specification of the new Fiat Ritmo will be announced with the sale of the vehicle in Australia which will start in October.



About Fiat


The Fiat Group, or Fiat S.p.A. is an Italian automobile manufacturer, engine manufacturer, financial, and industrial group based in Turin, Northern Italy. It was founded in 1899 by a group of investors including Giovanni Agnelli. Fiat is an acronym used short for Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino (Italian Car Factory of Turin). It also means “let there be” in Latin which is also a fantastic idea to be used for car decals. Fiat was also an aircraft manufacturer in the past.