Fiat is poised to launch an all-new supermini that will sit between the Panda and the Grande Punto.
The new model will use the famous Uno name and in effect be a replacement for the original Uno and Mk2 Punto, both of which are still in production in various parts of the world.
Launched in 1983, the crisply designed and spacious Uno supermini was a huge hit for Fiat.
Sources say the new model is based on a shortened and simplified version of the Grande Punto platform. It should be around 3.8 metres long, which would make it a similar size to the Mazda 2. However, the design will focus on interior space in a bid to deliver more room than any similar-priced rival.
It's thought that the new car will be priced very aggressively, but there's no news yet as to whether it will be launched in the UK.
However, in the face of huge competition from Korean brands and the gaping hole between the Panda and Grande Punto, Fiat could achieve significant success with the Uno in Europe and Russia.
From the photos of these early production versions of the new Uno, it's clear that Fiat has moved away from the design language of the Punto and original Uno and produced a much more curvaceous, friendly-looking car.
There are also strong shades of the Panda around the upright tailgate and vertical tail-lights. The three offset slots in the nose are a reference to the original Panda.
These scoop shots also appear to show that the Uno will be sold in entry-level, upmarket sporting and pseudo-SUV guises.
There's little news on engines, but it's thought that the sophisticated new Multiair units will be too expensive for all but the range-topping models.
The Uno is initially being built at Fiat Brazil's Betim plant. The factory has recently announced plans to hire 1000 new workers and boost output by six per cent to 3200 cars per day.
The entire Fiat Group is poised to announce its future product plans up until 2014 this Wednesday.
Hilton Holloway
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Re: Fiat plans new Uno supermini
Compared with modern competition - but when launched in 1983 the competition consisted (amongst others) the equally nasty Mk1 Ford Festa, Citroen Visa, MiniMetro, Mk1 Nissan Micra and the truly awful Vauxhall Nova - chavtastic! At least the Uno was designed by the master Italian car designer - Guigiaro. Don't forget also that the Uno was 1983 European Car of the Year. Unfortunately for FIAT, the Pug 205 came along and pee'd on FIAT's chips!
Re: Fiat plans new Uno supermini
Re: Fiat plans new Uno supermini
looks very similar in the A to D pillar design to the panda.....