What is the Fiat Viaggio?
3 Answers
Fiat Viaggio is a car under the Fiat brand, known in Chinese as the Fiat Feixiang. This 'Feixiang' has a dual identity: it is both a rebadged version of the previously released Dodge Dart and the first domestically produced model by GAC Fiat, previously known under the codename 'C-medium'. Introduction: A project jointly established by Chinese and foreign investors. The Chinese side contributes by providing land and factory usage rights, as well as capital; foreign investors contribute the brand, technology, capital, and talent. Joint venture cars are the products of such collaborations. Foreign partners provide technology, talent, and brand for domestic assembly, but the core technology remains under foreign control. Joint venture brands under the FAW Group include: FAW-Volkswagen, FAW-Audi, FAW-Mazda (all produced in Changchun, Jilin), and FAW-Toyota (produced in Changchun, Jilin; Tianjin; and Chengdu, Sichuan).
Speaking of the Fiat Viaggio, it is actually the Fiat Viaggio launched by GAC Fiat. This car was officially launched in 2012, positioned as a compact family sedan. My family owns a 2015 automatic transmission version, and it has been running well for six or seven years. The exterior has a distinct Italian style, with a highly recognizable three-bar grille on the front face and smooth body lines, resembling a smaller Maserati at first glance. The space is sufficient for a family car, with room for two child safety seats and an adult in the back. The 1.4T engine comes in high and low-power versions; it’s a bit sluggish at start-up but runs steadily at high speeds. Fuel consumption is average, around 8 liters per 100 km in the city. The configuration is quite generous, with ESP (Electronic Stability Program) as standard across all models, and leather seats in higher trims. However, there are indeed quite a few minor issues, with common complaints in owner groups about transmission jerks and electronic faults. The car is now discontinued, but you can occasionally find it in the used car market.
As an enthusiast who frequently researches car platforms, what attracts me most about the Viaggio is its chassis DNA. This car was developed based on the Dodge Dart, but after a complete rewrite, it leans more towards a European style. The front MacPherson and rear torsion beam suspension are tuned to be relatively firm, providing good cornering support. The 1.4T turbocharged engine with MultiAir technology offers fuel efficiency as an advantage. The interior design is very Italian, with the dashboard tilted towards the driver and a solid grip on the three-spoke steering wheel. Unfortunately, the dual-clutch transmission tuning isn't refined enough, causing some jerkiness during low-speed follow-up driving. The 2017 model improved sound insulation, but wind noise at high speeds is still noticeable. Safety features are quite comprehensive, including six airbags and tire pressure monitoring. The trunk offers 506 liters of capacity, and in practice, it can fit three suitcases. In the used car market, you can now find well-maintained examples for around 50,000, which offer higher configuration than the Lavida in the same price range.
