Fiat goes large with new model

This is Fiat’s upcoming Mondeo-class car – known as ‘New Large’ – shorn of its disguise (above). It’s based on the same long-wheelbase Epsilon chassis as the Vauxhall Signum. The car should be revealed at the Geneva Motor Show in March.However, few in the industry expect it to turn Fiat’s fortunes around, especially when it’s competing in the shrinking middle market sector.

Meanwhile, Fiat bosses are locked into negotiations with General Motors over the controversial ‘put option’ agreed in 2000, which should allow the Fiat Group to force GM to buy Fiat Auto. But GM Europe is also deep in the red and it may have to buy its way out of the agreement if mediators decide that Fiat can force such a sale.