New Fiat double cab revealed – and it could be built in South Africa

Fiat has taken the wraps off its new Titano double cab which is based on its sister brand’s Peugeot Landtrek.

The Titano is a lifestyle-oriented bakkie that is poised to take on the likes of the dominant Ford Ranger, Isuzu D-Max, and Toyota Hilux; and it will slot in above the Fiat Strada which itself has a local debut scheduled around 2025.

The Titano will go on sale in Algeria and Brazil in the coming months, but unfortunately, it’s not looking like the bakkie will reach our roads any time soon as it has thus far only been confirmed for left-hand-drive markets.

Be that as it may, there is a possibility that the Fiat could be built on local soil even though it might not be sold here.

Stellantis, parent company of both Fiat and Peugeot, is currently setting up a new R3-billion factory in Coega, Eastern Cape that will be completed by 2025 and start production on the Landtrek by 2026.

The plant will be manufacturing around 50,000 completely knocked-down (CKD) units per year including for export, with a capacity to go up to a maximum of 90,000 units.

Fiat is one of the most popular vehicle brands in South America, outselling Peugeot in Brazil by almost 10 cars to one last year, according to Focus2Move. 

Similarly, Stellantis is aiming for aggressive market growth in the Middle East and Africa regions between now and 2030 with the Titano primed to be one of its volume movers.

Therefore, there is a possibility that the South African facility may be used to satisfy demand for the badge-engineered Fiat in other markets, even if it doesn’t end up going on sale in ours.

At present, the Titano is put together at Stellantis’ Nordex plant in Uruguay alongside its Landtrek sibling, but should the automaker need more space or a shorter shipping route, the South African factory is looking like a prime candidate to support production should there be a spike in purchases.

Fiat Titano and Peugeot Landtrek at Uruguay factory. Source: Motor1.com

Fiat Titano specifications

The Titano is launching in 2024 with two turbo-diesel engine options depending on the market comprising a 1.9-litre for Algeria and a 2.2-litre for Brazil.

In the North African nation, the Titano is sold exclusively with a six-speed manual shifter as well as in 4×2 and 4×4 specifications, the former being a single cab and the latter a double cab, whereas in Latin America, it will be available in automatic, too.

Regardless of the body style or gearbox, the bakkie supports a maximum payload capacity of over one tonne and offers “high towing capacity,” said Fiat.

Fiat has only allowed a drip feed of information on its new bakkie to become public, thus far releasing a few key details on its potential equipment.

As such, we know the Titano is going to be available with a digital driver’s cluster, central multimedia touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 360-degree camera system, leather upholstery, an electric driver seat, a leather multifunction steering wheel, and automatic airconditioning.

Additionally, it brings functions such as a rear differential lock, hill assist descent control, a traction mode selector, and Eco and Sport drive settings.

Fiat Titano