FIAT Group Automobiles Ireland has announced its revised pricing for 2013 despite the lack of clarity from the government regarding VRT, road tax and number plate revisions in the run up to the announcement of those measures in Budget 2013.
In the light of such uncertainty, FIAT has chosen to extensively streamline its range, focusing on the most popular derivatives, which in turn facilitates low and fluid stock levels. The FIAT Panda range, for example, has the same number of versions available as in 2012 despite welcoming the new normally-aspirated, 65hp TwinAir and 4X4 Climbing models to the range for 2013.
Whereas the TwinAir Turbo commands a premium of around €1,000 (depending on the model) compared to the 1.2 69hp engine, the new TwinAir 65hp is only an additional €500, a small price to pay to cut CO2 emissions from 120g/km to just 99g/km which could be further offset by a potential reduction in road tax. Quite what the total saving to the consumer will be for opting for the new TwinAir 65hp we will have to wait until December to learn, however.
The FIAT 500 range is reduced from 11 derivatives to just four, with renewed emphasis on the low CO2-emission TwinAir engines, while the entry level price of the hardtop has been reduced by €400 to €12,495 compared to 2012. The 500C Cabrio now starts at €15,495, a price reduction of almost €1,000, while the entry-point for the award-winning FIAT 500 TwinAir is reduced from €16,745 to €13,495, a massive reduction of €3,250!
FIAT Punto range is reduced from eight derivatives to just three with reconfigured pricing to better suit Irish market conditions. The entry point for the five-door FIAT Punto, for example, has been reduced from €15,295 to just €13,495, a remarkable saving of €1,800! The TwinAir 85hp model is also reduced by €1,800 - from €16,295 to just €14,495 - and that despite the addition of two extra doors. With a price difference of just €1,000 compared to the 1.2 69hp it is expected to be a cornerstone model in 2013, particularly when its low CO2 emissions (98g/km, compared to 1.2's 120g/km) and improved performance are taken into consideration.
The price of the five-door FIAT Punto diesel remains unchanged despite significant technological upgrades to its 1.3-litre MultiJet engine. It now employs new efficiency technologies (Intelligent Alternator and Intelligent Flow) to reduce its CO2 emissions to a mere 90g/km while power increases from 75hp to 85hp for improved driver satisfaction. Priced at €15,495, FIAT Punto diesel will be one of the most competitive superminis on the market in Ireland in 2013.
Announcing pricing for 2013, Managing Director of FIAT Group Automobiles Ireland, Adrian C. Walsh, commented: "Despite the lack of clarity from the government regarding VRT, road tax and number plate revisions due in 2013, we believe that no matter what the 2013 Budget throws at us in December, FIAT will be ready with some of the most technologically advanced, environmentally sound and great-value vehicles on the market today."
Skoda has today launched its new compact saloon, the Skoda Rapid across showrooms nationwide. Available with three different specification variants, both manual and automatic transmission options and five engine alternatives the Rapid is competitively priced from €15,995 and will suit families looking for a roomy car at an affordable price, reckons Skoda.
You can see what we thought of the Rapid on our test drive HERE.
To mark the launch of the Rapid, Skoda Dealerships nationwide are holding an Open Week from Saturday 27th of October to Saturday 3rd of November where motorists can test drive the Rapid and avail of special introductory offers for new 2013 purchases.
Competing in the diesel dominated A-segment the new Skoda Rapid offers a broad range of petrol engines from the 1.2 MPI delivering 75bhp to the turbocharged units in 1.2 and 1.4 TSI ranging from 86bhp to 122bhp. A diesel unit is offered in the form of 1.6 TDI producing 105bhp.
In CO2 emission terms the 1.6 TDI, 105bhp and 1.2 TSI 86bhp both achieve Band-A status with the remaining engines falling into Band-B.
The 1.6 TDI Diesel will account for the volume of sales however Skoda recognises an opportunity by offering motorists an alternative to diesel with an aggressively priced range of petrol vehicles.
Explaining Raymond Leddy, Head of Marketing, Skoda Ireland said “The Skoda Rapid is fitted with low volume TSI Petrol engines that utilise the latest turbo charging and direct fuel injection technologies to produce surprising power with diesel rivalling fuel economy and CO2 Emissions.
Expanding, Leddy, said “The primary reason for purchasing a Diesel vehicle is to acquire annual taxation and fuel savings over a petrol vehicle. The basic premise is you pay a premium for the Diesel car but over time you will recoup the savings by reducing your operating costs. The question is how long will it take to achieve these savings? Take the Rapid 1.2 TSI, 86bhp like the Diesel it achieves Band-A emission status and consumes just 0.7l more per 100km driven. Using today’s fuel prices it would take 14-years for a Diesel version to justify and recoup the savings on fuel alone! This really brings petrol back into the equation.”
Designed as a roomy, elegant and affordable car for the whole family, the Rapid draws parallels with other models in the Skoda range with class leading passenger leg and head room and 550 litres of luggage capacity rivalling competitors from higher model segments. The Rapid also offers simple yet clever solutions such as a high visibility vest under the front driver seat and an ice scraper inside the fuel tank flap.
Safety also features prominently in the Skoda Rapid with standard safety equipment on board including ESP and ABS systems, six airbags including large capacity driver and front seat passenger airbags, side airbags and curtain airbags to prevent head injuries.
Emphasising the focus on affordability customers can drive a Skoda Rapid from €199 per month inclusive of workshop servicing and delivery through their PCP Solutions package from Skoda Finance.
