The new Fiat Ritmo will be launched in Australia towards the later part of 2007. The new Fiat will play big brother to the Punto, which recently spearheaded the return of Fiat passenger vehicles to Australia. Anyone who has spent time driving in Europe knows that hatchbacks have always been the car of choice: light on fuel, ideal for narrow streets yet possessing the talent to tackle a journey on the autostrada.

Following the small-hatch phenomenon of Punto in Italy and western Europe (it is currently the car to have), the new Ritmo aims to become a similar benchmark in the medium hatchback class. It's no surprise then that the Fiat Style Centre has created a vehicle that is unmistakably Italian, embodying beauty, substance and essential solidity.

Built in Piedimonte San Germano, midway between Rome and Napoli, the new Ritmo excites from the first glance. The cabin is constructed of high quality, 'high touch' materials, with attention to the smallest details. Its compact five-door body encloses remarkable interior space, and its 400 litre boot capacity is top of its class.

The Fiat Ritmo has been exhaustively developed and tested to be agile and a pleasure to drive in every situation, thanks in part to the wide choice of engines. These will include Fiat's world-leading turbo diesel multijet engines, and an exciting new family of turbocharged T-jet petrol engines, all of which should combine low fuel consumption with outstanding performance.