Fiat at the 500L’s media launch on July 4 in Turin, Italy, Fiat brand global director Olivier Francois teased a full-sized clay model of a 500X crossover slated to launch in the future. Currently, the company plans to drop its 500X crossover variant early 2014 in both Europe and the U.S. But it’s too early to say whether Fiat will include the 500X in its India portfolio.
Fiat 500X Crossover is the Italian automaker’s answer to the Mini Countryman and will be pitted directly against the Mini in markets across the world. The Fiat 500X is expected to make its debut at the 2012 Paris Motor Show, with a launch to happen sometime in 2013. Like the 500L hatchback, the 500X crossover is also expect to share its engine range with the Punto.
The crossover will be offered in both front-wheel- and all-wheel-drive. The powertrain line-up will most likely include Fiat’s 0.9-litre two-cylinder turbocharged TwinAir petrol engine, and a 1.3-litre Multijet turbo diesel.
The 500X will be the fifth model in the 500 range, after the 500 three-door hatchback, the 500C convertible, the Abarth-branded performance versions, and more recently, the 500L five-door minivan. While the 500L is Fiat’s new minivan, and the 500X appears to blend elements from an SUV and a hatchback. Based on the Punto subcompact, it will stretch to 165.4 inches in length, making it longer than any other 500.
Production is scheduled to kick off for December 2013 at the Mirafiorini, Turin plant. The plant is undergoing a $1.24 billion expansion to accommodate the additional 280,000 additional models per year for the 500X and other models. But, looking at the company’s lukewarm performance in the Indian market, newer models like the 500X would help boost Fiat’s performance in developing markets like ours.
Also see – Fiat 500X crossover to debut in next-year
Checkout the teaser video below:
Source – Autoforum.cz
