The name "Ritmo" has been used, by Fiat, in years gone by. The image opposite is the Ritmo for 1978-1982 in European trim. The new model, for 2008, is shown below.

“Five door family hatchbacks are not renowned for flair or excitement but the Fiat Ritmo is set to change everything with fresh dynamic styling inside and out, cutting edge engines that deliver performance and economy and a chassis that is sharp, responsive and great fun” says David Stone, General Manager for Fiat Cars in Australia in putting some spin into words. “Developed from the styling seen on the award-winning Punto, the Ritmo has the effortless style for which Italy is so famed, with a breathtaking overall shape and fine detailing.”

“The Ritmo is powered by two unique engines, the new 1.4 litre T-Jet Turbo petrol engine that pumps out 110 kW and which offers the ability to provide more acceleration literally at the press of a button, and the acclaimed 1.9 litre JTD Multijet diesel. Equipment levels are lavish and pricing is keen, so the Ritmo will enable Fiat to take the next step up in our growth plans for the marque in Australia.”

The new Ritmo joins the Fiat Punto, which relaunched Fiat in Australia last year and is the first of two new models to be launched in 2008 that will redefine Fiat’s position in the car market. The Ritmo is an entrant into the small car market sector, while the Fiat 500 which will arrive in March may well be, quite frankly, the most overpriced new car to enter the Australian car market in 2008.

Initially Fiat will offer four versions of the Ritmo in Australia, with additional models to arrive later in 2008, including self-shifting gearbox versions. The two trim and equipment levels, Emotion and Sport, are offered with a choice of the advanced 1.4 litre 110 kW T-Jet petrol engine and the 1.9 litre 110 kW JTD Turbo Diesel, with prices starting with a recommended retail price of $29,990 for the Fiat Ritmo Emotion T-Jet.

The new Fiat’s equipment specification has been carefully considered to simplify and enhance life on board. Interior trim is not just good to look at; it also provides a tactile experience, with different textures to delight on touch for interior trim and upholstery.

Both Emotion and Sport versions are fully equipped, offering electric windows and exterior mirrors, cruise control, power steering, remote central locking, an advanced audio system, AirCon, alloy wheels and a host of other features as standard.

As befits its name, the Sport adds comprehensive performance orientated equipment package, including rear spoiler; side skirts; Climate Control AirCon; sports pedals; front sports seats with lumbar adjustment of driver’s seat; leather sports steering wheel, gear lever and handbrake knobs; sports upholstery, red brake callipers and 17” sports alloys with 225/45 tyres.

The Sport versions also come with the innovative Blue&Me integrated telematics system developed in a joint venture with Microsoft, which has proven so popular that more than 20 per cent of Fiat vehicles sold in Europe are now equipped with it. In simple terms, it offers hands-free system with Bluetooth™ technology with steering wheel controls, instrument panel with multifunction display, MP3 audio file player from a USB port and SMS text reader.

The new Ritmo, using a name derived from the Italian word for rhythm  was designed in just 18 months from design ‘freeze’ to production. To achieve this record-breaking development time, Fiat employed new, groundbreaking, state-of-the-art Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) systems of unprecedented power and complexity, allowing the development of this new hatchback to be undertaken almost entirely through virtual analysis and engineering.

So sophisticated is the computer software involved, that not only could Fiat’s engineers simulate every aspect of the Ritmo’s structural, dynamic, NVH and accommodation characteristics to a level of unprecedented detail, but they were also able to design a virtual production-line to ensure consistently outstanding component and build quality.

The benefits of these all-encompassing developments in virtual design and engineering are evident in every aspect of the new Fiat Ritmo, from consistently high build quality and class-leading passenger accommodation, to driving dynamics, minimal NVH levels and safety provision.

The new Ritmo has been awarded a 5-star rating for adult occupant protection in the Euro NCAP crash test programme.

Achieving 5 stars for adult occupant safety, but only 3 stars for child protection and just 2 for pedestrian protection, the new Fiat recorded 33 points in testing.