The automotive company Fiat is preparing to update its model lineup for the South American market. The first step will be a full update of the Argo hatchback. Journalists managed to photograph a well-camouflaged prototype of this model during winter tests, which revealed a resemblance to an already existing brand model.
New Platform and Design
The current generation Argo debuted back in 2017 and underwent a facelift in 2022. It used the same platform as the Cronos sedan and the Pulse and Fastback crossovers. However, the next generation will not be an evolutionary development of its predecessor. It will be a completely new model, based on the European Fiat Grande Panda, which is already on sale.
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Despite the heavy camouflage, the body proportions and placement of lighting units on the prototype look very familiar. Patent drawings published in Brazil indicate that the Argo will look identical to the Grande Panda, except for the absence of embossed stampings on the doors and tailgate.
Equipment and Technical Features
Given the budget segment of the Argo model, it is expected that base trims will receive halogen headlights, steel wheels, and a simple instrument panel without a screen. LED optics, alloy wheels, and a digital instrument cluster will likely be available only in top versions.
The subcompact hatchback with off-road notes will be built on the Stellantis Smart Car architecture, like the Fiat Grande Panda, Citroen C3, C3 Aircross, and Opel Frontera. However, unlike the European models, which are equipped with a turbocharged 1.2-liter engine in conventional or mild-hybrid versions, the South American model will receive a different powertrain.
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According to the latest data, the new Argo will receive a naturally aspirated 1.0-liter three-cylinder Flex Fuel engine capable of running on gasoline and ethanol. Its power will be approximately 72-77 hp, as in the current generation. A turbocharged 1.0-liter version with a 12-volt mild-hybrid system, producing 125-130 hp, may also be available. In both cases, the drive will be front-wheel drive.
Future Plans and Market Strategy
The debut of the new Fiat Argo in South American markets is expected in the coming months. According to local media reports, the new generation will coexist with the previous one for some time. The current model will likely receive the designation “Argo Urban” and be positioned as a more affordable alternative.
In addition to the new Argo, the next Fiat novelties for the Brazilian market will be a larger Panda-style fastback crossover, which will replace the Pulse-based Fastback, as well as a new generation of the subcompact Strada pickup.
The update of Fiat’s lineup for South America demonstrates Stellantis’s global strategy of using modular platforms. Borrowing the successful design of the Grande Panda allows for a significant reduction in development costs while providing the regional market with a modern product. The use of proven local engines, as opposed to European powertrains, is a logical step, considering the specifics of Brazil’s fuel market and the needs of local consumers for reliability and ease of maintenance. This approach allows the company to compete effectively in one of the world’s most fierce automotive markets.