The 500X maintains the proportions and cute packaging of the smaller sibling. It is a genuine five-seater that maintains the proportions and cute packaging of the rounded revival of FIAT’s highest favorite, called the Cinquecento in Italy.
FIAT fans have known since at least earlier this year that the Italian brand would build a small SUV. Well, the wait is over. Witness the 2016 500X, an all-new model that’s a mechanical sibling to the soon-to-go-on-sale Renegade from Jeep, one of umpteen mash-ups to be expected in FIAT Chrysler.
FIAT 500X will mostly come with a fronted wheel driving mode. All petrol based engines have 108bhp, five speed manually controlled and nine speed automatically controlled with 1.4 liter turbo.
The new FIAT is available in two versions; one that is characterized by the dynamic, metropolitan style, and the second offering a more off-road appearance and functionality. The 4.25m long, 1.8m wide and 1.60m high car arrives with a choice of six petrol and two turbo-diesel engines that also comes with three types of transmission – manual, 9-speed automatic or a twin-clutch 6-speed automatic. Customization in the form of more options is continued with both two- or four-wheel drive configurations also being applicable.
The range-topping variant also has an Amore Red exterior with rain-sensing wipers and automatic headlights. Other niceties include a two-tone interior, an electro chromic rearview mirror and a Uconnect infotainment system with GPS navigation.
If approved, the 500X could serve as a suitable foil for the likes of the Mini Countryman JCW and Nissan Juke Nismo – and potentially more affordable than the Mercedes GLA45 AMG and the Audi RS Q3 that isn’t currently offered in North America. One could even hope that some of those changes could be ported over into a Trackhawk version of the Jeep Renegade as well, but we’ll have to hold on to see how the Abarth prospect materializes.
Source: FIAT USA of Hurst