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Fiat's new bakkie for rugby-crazy SA: It's called the Fullback!

Cape Town - On Monday, Wheels24 reported on Fiat's as-yet-unnamed bakkie for South Africa, based on the upcoming Mitsubishi Triton.

On Tuesday, the Italian automaker has unveiled its new bakkie at the 2015 Dubai International Motor Show.

It's called the Fullback and it's headed for South Africa in 2016. Further details of SA-bound bakkie will be made available closer to its local launch.

Single and double-cab

The new, medium-size bakkie will be available in both single- or double-cab guise in South Africa.

According to Fiat SA: "The Fullback will be launched in the third quarter of 2016 in South Africa with a line-up that includes single-cab with a 4x2 drivetrain and double-cab with 4x2 or 4x4 drivetrains. It will be built by Mitsubishi Thailand."

Why the Fullback moniker?

The reason for the Fullback name? Fiat SA says it refers to "...a player role in Rugby and American Football standing for the bearing column of the team. Last man in defence and defender in attack, solving any problem for the team.”

Read - New bakkies for SA: Hilux, Navara, Triton and more!

Mid-size bakkie for SA

The Fullback measures 1.7m, 1.8m wide with a wheelbase of 3m. The length varies depending on the configuration - 5.1m (single-cab) and 5.2m (double-cab). Also the length of the cargo compartment depends on body style - 2.2m (single-cab) and 1.5m (double-cab).

The payload capacity, according to the configuration, comes up 1100kg.

Power

Locally the Fullback will be available with two engine options; a 2.5 litre diesel with power outputs ranging from 100kW to 131kW and a 2.4 litre petrol capable of 97kW. All engines are mated to a five-speed manual.

According to Fiat: "The Fullback is FIAT Professional’s first contender in the medium-duty pick-up truck segment in the EMEA region, which totalled 675 000 units in 2014 representing 23% of total sales in the LCV segment."

ITALIAN BAKKIE: Fiat has released the first details of its double-cab bakkie headed for South Africa in 2016. Image: Quickpic

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