irishcar.com

19 June 2002: More than two-thirds of Fiat Stilo buyers have opted for the 5-door version of the middle segment car, switching the mix from the predecessor Bravo/Brava cars which favoured the 3-door cars.

This perhaps reflects an older driver profile, as the 5-door has been specifically geared to attracting more family-type drivers than the 3-door, which is much more highly styled. Elements of the 5-door which are specifically aimed at the older driver profile include a higher seats position and more headroom.

Of all Stilos sold in the Jan-Apr period this year, 83 percent of owners opted for the entry-level 1.2-litre engine, while 11 percent bought 1.6-litre power units. Buyers of cars powered with the 1.9-litre JTD engine represented just 5 percent of sales.

Fiat Auto Ireland told IrishCar.Com this week that they have no plans to bring in a lower-powered 80bhp JTD version of the Stilo which has been introduced in the UK. But they are giving strong consideration to bringing a 1.9JTD 115bhp version of the Alfa Romeo 156, which currently only has the VRT-unfriendly 2.4-litre JTD on its Irish list.