Following the success of the Maruti Ertiga, Fiat has big plans to roll-out an all new compact MPV (Multi Purpose Vehicle) in the Indian market. According to the sources, the Italian car maker is planning to launch a seven seater version of its Fiat 500L grown up hatchback. Based on a modified Punto platform, this extended version of the five-seat 500L will have a large rear overhang, flat folding seats on all three rows and some really clever packaging.
Fiat will enhance the current model with 20 cm, and this gives extra interior space to place pop-up seats in the rear of the car. These extra seats won’t give that much room to an adult, but are merely thought of for the children of a family. With this extra model Fiat is able to compete with competitors like Maruti Ertiga, Toyota Innova, and Mahindra Xylo. According to the spokesman of Fiat, the 500X is also under development and will receive a real 4×4 look (already teased).
On the inside, the space will be maximised by compacting internal fittings and fixtures, and the interiors will have coloured inserts on the dash that match the colour of the car. Fiat has used slim pillars and wrap-around glass to lend an airy feel to the cabin and the neo-retro look has been carried onto the dash of the car too. Fiat should offer a stylish model range that is recognizable by its Italian DNA.
The new seven seater version of Fiat 500L is expected to replace the Fiat Idea in Europe, and Fiat is expected to sell it in other grown-up markets like the US as well. That will mean the 500L will be engineered to meet global crash-test norms and that certainly bodes well for India as well.
Fiat is likely to use the updated 90bhp version of its 1.3 diesel (called Multijet II) to power this car. The updated engine features advances in areas of injection, turbocharging and internal friction. However in India, the new Fiat MPV is likely to be having more than 80 percent of local content, which will surely enable the car maker to shelve it more competitively in the Indian market, in the price segment of Rs 8 to 10 lakh.
Also see – Teaser video of Fiat 500X crossover revealed
See more pictures of Fiat 500 7-Seater MPV –
Image Credit – AutoBlog.rs (via FIATblog.nl)
