Fiat Argo sheds camou, continues testing ahead of this month’s launch

The Fiat Argo has entered the final testing phase days before its launch in Brazil this month. Fiat has finally dropped some camouflage to give a better look at the compact hatchback. The spy shots were captured by Quatro Rodas at the Curitiba International Speedway in Pinhais, Brazil.

The Fiat Argo is the long-overdue replacement for the Fiat Punto, and reports say, it will replace the Fiat Palio as well. Like the Fiat Tipo, the Fiat Argo rides on the Small Wide platform. Fiat will use the same platform for a new small sedan (codename: Fiat X6S) which will replace the Fiat Linea and Fiat Siena.

The Fiat Argo buyers will get the option of three trim levels: Attractive, Essence and Sporting and three engine models are planned. The base model will get the 1.0-litre FireFly three-cylinder engine that develops 72 CV (72 hp) and 10.4 kgfm (101.99 Nm) of torque running on petrol and 77 CV (77 hp) and 10.9 kgfm (106.89 Nm) of torque running on ethanol. It will have a 5-speed manual transmission as standard.

The mid-tier engine model will have the 1.3-litre FireFly four-cylinder producing 101 CV (101 hp) and 13.7 kgfm (134.35 Nm) of torque running on petrol and 109 CV (109 hp) and 14.2 kgfm (139.25 Nm) of torque running on ethanol. Along with a 5-speed manual transmission, Fiat will offer an option for the 5-speed Dualogic automated manual transmission in this model.

The top-end engine model will sport the 1.8-litre E.Torq Evo engine tuned to deliver 135 CV (135 hp) and 18.8 kgfm (184.37 Nm) of torque running on petrol and 139 CV (139 hp) and 19.3 kgfm (189.27 Nm) of torque running on ethanol. This engine will send power to the wheels via either a 5-speed manual transmission or a 6-speed automatic transmission.

The Fiat Argo falls in the B-segment and could effectively replace the Fiat Punto Evo.