It is no secret that Fiat is working on a compact SUV based on the Grande Punto platform. The Italian automaker has decided to widen its product portfolio using the retro Fiat 500 name. The first such vehicle is the 500L, which has already hit the European markets. The 500L is a 5-door version of the 500 small car, but with space of an MPV. Fiat had also revealed its plans to develop a crossover on the 500L, which is called the 500X. The Fiat 500X crossover has been unveiled in a promotional video, which shows a rugged looking vehicle, ready to take on the likes of the Ford EcoSport, Renault Duster and MINI Countryman.
Measuring 4.2-meters in length, the 500X is the longest car in the Fiat 500 line-up and is powered by the same engines which do duty on the 2012 Fiat Punto (the one recently launched in Europe). Thus power will come in from a set of TwinAir, MultiAir and Multijet 2 engines which will give the 500X a good mix of power and economy. Fiat will start sales of the 500X in Europe by the end of the year and is expected to reveal the car in all its glory at the upcoming Paris Motor Show. Fiat has given the 500X styling cues right from the 500 hatchback and the crossover looks unmistakably a vehicle from the 500 range.
Fiat India hasn’t shown any commitment to bring back the 500 to the country. The 500 was launched initially as a brand builder but was eventually pulled off the market due to its poor sales. If Fiat wants to boost sales in India, there is no car better than the 500X to do it for them. Remember, Renault is not a very known brand in India but the Duster has received more bookings by the first day of launch than what the French automaker has sold in the past 5 months combined. Clearly the Fiat 500X has huge potential in a SUV loving market like ours.
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Source – Autoforum.cz