Fiat Tipo Trio - Saloon, Hatchback and Estate

Fiat's Tipo was first unveiled in saloon guise last summer at the Istanbul Motor Show, but even today we still don't know if it's coming to the UK.

Tipo Saloon

We do know, however, that the hatchback and estate models will be arriving on our shores.

Fiat claims that the hatchback will comfortably sit three 6-foot rear passengers, with an overall length of 4.37 metres. That's exactly as long as a Volvo V40. The difference between the V40 and Tipo hatchback? Its boot. The Tipo offers 116 litres more (440 litres), with the estate boasting an even larger 550 litres. There is an additional 12 litres of storage space dotted around the cabin.

In fact, the Fiat Tipo Hatchback offers on average more than 70 litres more space than 21 of its rivals, with only the Peugeot 308 (+30 litres) and Honda Civic (+37 litres) offering more.

Tipo Hatchback

Available in 3 trim levels, all models will include air conditioning, electrically adjustable door mirrors, 6 airbags, DAB digital radio, Bluetooth, a multifunction steering wheel and electric front windows (with estate models gaining electric rear windows).

Two MultiJet II diesel engines will be available, a 1.3-litre offering 94 bhp and 200 Nm, and a 1.6-litre with 118 bhp and 320 Nm. The later, when paired with a 6-speed dual-clutch transmission, is said to achieve 76.3 mpg and 98 g/km of CO2.

It's best to avoid the entry-level 1.4-litre 16v petrol with its 94 bhp and 125 Nm, in favour of the 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol whose 118 bhp and 206 Nm make it a lot more enticing.

A 1.6-litre e-TorQ petrol engine produces 108 bhp and 152 Nm, using a more conventional 6-speed torque converter automatic transmission.

Tipo Estate