Fiat Toro Pickup to be Launched in South Africa

Previewed by the Fiat FCC4 concept unveiled at the 2014 Sao Paolo Auto Show, the double cab pickup has been primarily developed for the Latin American market.

The model will compete with the Toyota­ Hilux, the Ford Ranger and the like, in South Africa. In its originally intended market, the bakkie would rival the Renault Duster Oroch that was launched in Brazil in October.

Fiat of South Africa has indirectly confirmed the news by stating that a new model will be launched in 2016 which will be “a completely new pick-up in the competitive bakkie segment”.

Johan Cloete, the newly appointed project manager for Fiat LCV development, has said, “yet-to-be-named one-ton bakkie” will be made available “in single or double-cab variants and powered by petrol or diesel engines”. He added that it is slated for launch in the first half of 2016.

The Toro pickup is believed to be based on an extended version of FCA’s Small Wide 4×4 platform which underpins the Jeep Renegade. The technical specifications of the truck have not been released, but Fiat Brazil has revealed that it measures 4.9 m long.

The Fiat Toro pickup will be powered by a 1.8-litre E-Torq flex-fuel four-cylinder engine that produces 140 PS (103 kW) and is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. It will also get a diesel version, powered by the 2.0-litre Multijet turbo-diesel engine that delivers 173 PS (127 kW) and 380 Nm, mated to either a six-speed manual, a six-speed automatic, or a nine-speed automatic transmission, reportedly.

The Toro pickup has a payload capacity of one-tonne. It will be manufactured at the Pernambuco plant in Brazil.