In recent months, an unexpected trend has been taking hold in model design. Fiat for the Brazilian market. After the Abarth Pulse and the restyled Fiat Fastback, it's now the turn of the Fiat Toro pickup to get a new face, with a distinctive element that doesn't go unnoticed: a grille strongly inspired by Maserati.
A shared visual signature
It all started with the updated Abarth Pulse SUV. This muscular version of the small Brazilian SUV featured an unprecedented front end, with a black and red upper grille composed of slender, sharp vertical blades. A visual signature immediately associated with... Maserati, the icon of Italian sports luxury.
Is it just a wink, or is it a new direction for certain models from the Italian galaxy in South America? The question remains open, but the trend is confirmed.
The Fastback 2026 goes with the flow
A few weeks later, leaks about the restyled Fiat Fastback version 2026 confirm this new design. The Brazilian SUV coupe also adopts a new, more upright and aggressive front end, strongly reminiscent of the Abarth Pulse. With a redesigned grille, more pronounced air intakes, sporty black wheels and visual elements taken from the Abarth design, the shadow of Maserati once again hangs over Fiat's design.
The Fiat Toro pickup also gets in on the act
The latest model to adopt this "Maserati"-style aesthetic is the Fiat Toro. The compact pickup, very popular in Brazil since its launch in 2015, receives a new restyling to extend its career. And like its urban cousins, it now sports a wide vertical chrome grille, highlighted by aggressive air intakes and sharper LED headlamps.
Some observers were quick to comment that the restyled Toro "looks like it's trying to sneak into a Maserati showroom", so obvious is the inspiration. And yet, despite its more upscale appearance, the Toro retains its fundamentals: a dual petrol/ethanol or diesel engine, real load capacity, and an updated interior without revolution.
A uniquely South American strategy?
In reality, it's part of a wider strategy: in Brazil, Fiat is the undisputed leader, with more than 55 % of its worldwide registrations in this market alone.. This strong position has prompted the brand to pay particular attention to its local image.
And it works. The Pulse Abarth, the restyled Fastback and the modernized Toro make up a coherent, muscular and rewarding range. Fiat continues to win over the Brazilian market with well-equipped, stylish internal combustion engine vehicles that are now... a little more premium in spirit.
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On a positive note, at least there will be cars with grilles that look like Maserati's that actually sell - see, thats glass half full thinking!
Ahah true!
Alfa cars made in Algeria, FIAT cars with Maserati styling, but who's in charge of this company?
That's a really nice grille. We'd love to see such a wide range of Fiat models in Europe. It's amazing that some models aren't adapted to the European market.
It's reminiscent of Ford starting to install Aston grilles on its models.
That said, Aston kept its mythical radiator grilles, whereas Maserati's Mc20 and Granturismo have no real radiator grille, just a gaping hole!