(G) Uno 2009

Is it just me or does it look far too much like a Suzuki Alto ?

From the door mirrors back it looks very mk1.

Ha, fuel filler is on the wrong side.

It takes a real Uno geek to notice that

Just to clarify from what I understand: this isn't the new Uno. This is the current Uno made in Brazil - it's been available in this facelifted form for several years. See http://www.fiatforum.com/uno/107748-...mia-milla.html, and http://www.fiatforum.com/uno-styling...-fiat-uno.html.

The *real* new Uno will have a two-cylinder turbocharged engine which, I understand from an article in the Economist (April 26th 2008), has no conventional valve gear ("MultiAir" system, presumably electric valve actuation). See http://www.fiatforum.com/uno/109431-...es-2009-a.html
Though, I think littlepip was right when he said that was simply the 500 in drag. I don't think we've seen the new Uno yet...

-Alex

yes, this is the model 2009 brazilian uno... just a facelifted brazilian mk1...
but here soon fiat will release a new model and take the current uno out of production, now I don't know if it will be the same uno as in europe (I doubt it) or a different model...

Certainly makes for interesting times, doesn't it

By the way I didn't want to belittle the achievement of FIAT Brazil keeping the Uno 'fresh' with improvements - from what I read, their engines give more power on ethanol than petrol, and that surely has to be a good thing - a renewable-fuel Uno! Just think how much better off we'd all be if we didn't depend on oil imported from countries that have us by the short-and-curlies. I recall that FIAT Italy don't approve biofuels at all, so I admire FIAT Brazil for that.

As SteveNZ here once said (in the context of "Which is better - Mk1 or Mk2?"), "The best Uno Turbo is the one that's in good condition" - that goes for any other Uno, too

-Alex

The best Uno is one that isn't rusty

more photos

apart from the rear lights, and subtle hatch changes...that is one fugly dog of an uno

OMGWTFBBQ - spare wheel... in the engine bay?!?!
Non-electric windows?


At least it has plastic wheel arches

Why would you want electric windows? The interior is a bit interesting because the doors have the components in Mk1 locations, though the colours are dire and modern. And I think the plastic wheel arch edges are going for the Subaru Forester look (I don't like them!)

Is it just my imagination or are those outside door handles off the Tipo? I noticed one day that those would fit but I always preferred the Uno's style.

Brazil Unos have always had the spare wheel in the engine bay. Under the skin, I think this is very much like the Brazil Uno has always been - totally different metalwork around the engine bay, more similar to the FIAT 127 (which also had the spare wheel in the engine bay ).

If you look carefully in the third photo (the one taken from the rear of the blue car), you can see evidence of significant differences underneath:

- There is a fore-aft pivot visible for the suspension arm - so there will be a transverse leaf spring and transverse control arms with struts, again similar to the FIAT 127 and 128 in the UK.

- The exhaust system silencer/muffler is also transverse.

- In the fourth photo (under the front), you can see an extra bar or two. I don't know what those are. I think they are either protection (similar to the bar fitted under an Uno Turbo intercooler/oil cooler), or possibly an antiroll bar for a different, 127/128-style suspension system. I think that the Brazil Uno uses a similar setup to the European Uno at the front (pressed-steel control arms with two bushes each), but I could have been wrong all these years and it could actually have a setup like the 127/128 (thin cast-iron control arm each side with one bush and anti-roll bar for location).

Anyway, with the rear suspension being more independant than the European set-up, it probably drives and rides a little better. The blue car appears to be jacked-up for semi-offroad use but it has plastic wheel trims that would probably last five minutes off-road

The red car is a better height, doesn't have the silly plastic wheelarch extensions, nice body-colour on the bumpers, and I like the look of those wheels - on the red car I think they're alloys - quite Alfa-Romeo-like! Photo 6 shows they're silver on the inside rim, which steel wheels wouldn't be

-Alex

yes, you are right, the brazilian uno uses a different rear suspension, it is the fiat 147 (brazilian 127) suspension, so it didn't have space for the spare wheel there and the spare wheel is in the engine bay... since the first brazilian uno (1984), the hood and the front fenders are a bit different because of this

I would want electric windows as its easier to flick a switch, than wind a handle.
I'd take a robot co-pilot if it could drive for me too

I supose the advantage of having the spare wheel dans le bay d'engine would be that you dont need to unpack the boot to get it out.

Hmmmmm. You've obviously not had the joy of owning a 1988 Uno 70SL or Uno Turbo like mine with electric windows Winding the handle is not only easier than turning the ignition on and fiddling with the switch, it's also quicker and quieter

Remembering my Intermediate School French, I love it Quite a worthy mangling there! But yes, much better to have the spare wheel in the engine bay, easier to check tyre pressure. Also makes a useful storage container for tools etc.

-Alex