Cross-country-capable Fiat Argo debuts with taller stance, improved looks

The Fiat Argo hatchback family sold in Brazil has gained a new member called Trekking. The new version is being marketed as off-road capable and should enter retail any day now priced at just U.S. $14,800 – almost $500 less that the Renault Sandero Stepway, for example.

On the outside, the Fiat Argo Trekking sports roof railings, black ornamental inserts and assorted plastic guards. There is more to it than meets the eye, though. For one, the company claims it has made substantial improvements in power steering and overhauled the suspension by upgrading the shock absorbers and springs. As a result, the car boasts an impressive 210 millimeters (8.2 inches) of ground clearance.

The hatchback comes front-wheel-driven by a 1.3-liter gas/ethanol engine that produces up to 101 hp (75 kW) when fueled with gasoline and up to 109 hp (81 kW) when using ethanol. It comes partnered with a five-speed manual transmission, which might be a bit of a downgrade from the regular version, which also ships with a DCT.

The new car should boost the sales of the model in Brazil considerably, but it’s not like it isn’t popular enough as it is. In 2018, the Argo entered the top 10 list of best-selling cars in that country.

Photos: Fiat