Fiat takes wraps off Viaggio sedan in Beijing

Fiat has unveiled the Fiat Viaggio sedan at the on-going 2012 Beijing Auto Show. The Viaggio sedan bear a strong resembles to the American Dodge Dart, which was first unveiled at the 2012 Detroit Motor Show.

The key factor that separates the Italian Viaggio from its newly launched sibling in the U.S is the bespoke front end sporting, headlamps, the chrome grille and the re-sculptured bumper. On the rear, the Viaggio has ditched the Dodge's full-width light bar and instead houses single LED units with chrome detailing in between.

The Volkswagen Jetta-sized Viaggio is the first full project that has been developed jointly between Fiat and Chryser and sits on the CUSW (Compact US Wide) platform, which was originally developed for the Alfa Romeo Giulietta.

The Italian sedan will be offered with a choice or two turbocharged petrol engines - the 1.4-litre T-Jet with either 118PS or 147PS of power. The engine will come mated to either a five-speed manual or a twin-clutch automatic transmission.

The Fiat Viaggio is the company's first car that is made in China with its local partner GAC and will go on sale in the Chinese market by July 2012. Rumors are rife that a five-door hatchback version based on the Viaggio will be developed that will replace the Fiat Brava in the European market. It is also said that, maybe the Brava hatchback could also be introduced in the Indian market later on.