How is the medium pickup that may be national doing?

Fiat Last week it officially presented its medium-sized truck Titano, which for the moment will be sold in the Brazilian market but which has chances of being manufactured in Argentina.

As a preview, Clarion was able to test this model that is currently assembled in Uruguay and that represents an important type of vehicle for this part of the world.

Just as an example, the medium truckslike the Toyota Hilux or the Ford Ranger, in Argentina they represent just over 24% of the market, while in Brazil that share reaches 18%.

The Italian brand today exercises strong leadership in the neighboring country, since it concentrates 43% of the trucks (of all sizes) sold there: of every 10 sold, just over 4 are Fiat. Although this vanguard is exercised with smaller vehicles.

The Street, a small truck, is the most chosen in the total market in Brazil and is seconded by the Toro, a compact truck that also leads its segment. But until now it had no representation in the most important category in the entire region, that of medium-sized flats.

When we talk about medium pickups we are talking about models that were designed for hard work, that is why they are built on a stringer chassis, which gives them robustness and strength.

But these trucks have also evolved towards comfort and safety with levels of comfort that have convinced many to be taken as a family vehicle. Is the Titano on par with the historic pikcups in the segment?

To know the origin of this Titano we have to go back to 2017, when Peugeot reached an agreement with the Chinese manufacturer Changan to produce a mid-size pickup truck. In this way, the Landtrek pickup from the lion brand was born.

Four years later it was created Stellar, the conglomerate that brings together the Fiat, Peugeot, Jeep, Citroën, DS and RAM brands in our region. It was there when the Italian company saw the opportunity to have a new model that would expand its truck offering.

Using the base of the Landtrek, which delayed its arrival in the Argentine market, Fiat made some adjustments to the suspension to present his truck on Brazilian soil.

In general terms, the style of the Titano is very attractive. It is not the largest truck in the category in all size references but it does surpass one or the other to some extent. That is why It looks wide, strong and very well standing..

The Titano will be offered in Brazil only with a double cab body. The new vehicle measures 5,330 mm long, 1,963 mm wide, 1,897 mm high (with roof bars) and 3,180 mm between axles.

It weighs 2,150 kilos and has one of the largest load capacities, with 1,020 and a towing capacity of 3,500 kilos. In addition, it has the largest cargo box in the segment (1,630 mm x 1,600 mm).

It comes equipped with a turbodiesel engine (of Peugeot origin) 2.2 liters, with 180 horsepower and up to 400 Nm of torque. It can come with an automatic or manual transmission, both with 6 speeds. All are also 4×4, with a plug-in system with transfer case and rear differential lock.

In the neighboring country it is offered in three equipment levels: Endurance (which can be manual or automatic), Volcano and Ranch (there are two, only with automatic transmission). Clarion tried the intermediate version of the range.

The choice for the Fiat Titano test drive was no coincidence and showed the brand’s intentions. The state of Mato Grosso, in the central west of the country, is, on average, the one that buys the most pickup trucks in Brazil (27% versus 18% of the national average). Its economy supported by agricultural activity justifies this relationship.

Its capital, Cuiabá, is also known as “Cuiabrasa”, due to the high temperatures recorded throughout the year. The rugged environment of the Chapada de Guimaraes ended up creating demanding conditions to test Fiat’s midsize truck.

The first section was by road, on an asphalt strip in relatively good condition. However, we quickly noticed a fine-tuning of suspensions designed for harsh punishment, since it turned out to be a little bouncy. It is true that we did not have a load in the box, something that would have reduced this effect, but in any case it showed a more marked reaction than its competitors.

We also noticed a vibration in the steering, something that was also experienced by other colleagues. But after checking, we noticed that the test unit had tires full of mud and that could have been the reason for the unbalance.

Against the prejudices that could have previously been had, since it has a less powerful engine than the most powerful versions of its rivals, the Titano’s engine responds with energy when sought. On the road, for example, it is more than enough to safely overtake. The box meets every requirement.

Off the asphalt is where he left us with the best sensations. Passing through broken roads or with a lot of fine sand did not affect the confidence that this truck provides. So much so that during the tour, they suggested on several occasions to do it with the 4×4 connected. However, the unit that managed Clarion It was all the time in 4×2 and without any major surprises.

Where the four-wheel drive had to be connected, and even the “low” one, was on a test track designed especially for the test, with “violent” axle crossings and steep slopes that were easily overcome.

Inside, it is inevitable to compare it with the Landtrek, mainly because it has not had any major changes: even the style of the button panel on the center console is the one used by the French brand in several of its models.

The materials used in the dashboard and doors are all rigid and with a quality that can improve. Something similar happens with some finishes and inserts, which show details to evolve.

The driving position of the Titano is very good, thanks to the height and depth adjustment of the steering and a wide range of movement of the seat. This is accompanied by a driver-oriented center console, which defines a more car-like stance.

The space in the rear seats is average for the category, but with a small width advantage. The lack of more storage places for objects is felt, especially in the center console.

The equipment is good but not outstanding. The most notable element is a camera with 180° view which shows the entire right side of the vehicle, that is, the one opposite to the driver. Compared to other trucks, it lacks some driving assistance systems, since it only offers lane change warning and descent control.

The Fiat Titano is assembled in Uruguay, at the Nordex complex, where the imported parts arrive to be assembled. But the question surrounding this project is whether the vehicle will end up being located in the region. That is, if it is going to be manufactured in Mercosur.

The strongest rumor is that It will be manufactured in Córdoba, at the Fiat plant, in Ferreyra. These versions come from both automotive industry suppliers and unions in the Mediterranean province and from the Brazilian press.

The possibility of this model being manufactured in Argentina is logical due to the ecosystem that exists in the country to produce this type of vehicle. Currently, the Toyota Hilux, the Ford Ranger, the Volkswagen Amarok, the Nissan Frontier and the Renault Alaskan are manufactured, the latter two, in Córdoba.

The scale that a production plant can have in comparison to the company that assembles in Uruguay also raises doubts. Only in Brazil, Fiat, the best-selling brand there, has more than 500 dealers. Therefore, a regular commercial performance would require a high number of units.

On the other hand, what is also not confirmed is if the Titano is actually going to be sold in Argentina or if that presence in the Stellantis Group’s midsize pickup segment will be in charge of the Peugeot Landtrek. In any case, the chances that this pickup is domestically produced are high.

In Brazil the Fiat Titano has a price ranging from 219.990 (approximately $44,000) up to 259.990 reais (US$52,000). While the range of the Toyota Hilux there sells from 242,590 (US$ 48,500) to 334,890 (US$ 67,000) and the Ford Ranger goes from 234,990 (US$ 47,000) to 349,990 (US$ 70,000).

It is clear that it will first seek to gain an advantage with a more affordable price compared to the competition, something logical given that it does not have a tradition in the category. The robustness and strength shown initially will surprise more than one.

Time will tell if the reliability and after-sales of such a vehicle live up to what a pickup owner expects. It will surely be the same period that we need to finally know the scope of this project and what its relationship with Argentina will be.