2015 FIAT 500X
FIAT’s latest vehicle is a compact utility vehicle targeted at the young and adventurous. The new FIAT 500X will come in two different flavors – one for urban drivers, and another who like the great outdoors.
FIAT plans on offering the 500X with a wide variety of gas and diesel engines (at least in Europe), as well as five- or six-speed manual or a nine-speed automatic transmission. Both a front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive variant will be offered, with the front-wheel versions coming with either a 110hp, 1.6 -liter or 140hp 1.4-liter turbocharged engine, a 95hp 1.3-liter diesel, or a 120hp 1.6-liter turbo diesel. All-wheel drive models get either a 170hp 1.4-liter turbo or a 184hp 2.4-liter Tigershark engine, similar to the one found in the Dodge Dart SXT.
The 500X offers a MacPherson rear suspension, and selectable drive modes for everyday, sport and inclimate weather situations. The more rugged model gets a traction mode in place of the weather mode to improve handling in extreme low-traction conditions.
The 500X appears to have a lot in common with the new Jeep Renegade, offering a compact, but highly practical and well-styled vehicle for young drivers. It’s no coincidence that both vehicles are being made in the same plant in Melfi, Italy. It’s clear that the Renegade is meant to be more rugged, and the 500X is more of a city driver.
FIAT plans on releasing the new 500X as a global vehicle, arriving in the UK in Q2 2015, and later in numerous other countries – including the U.S.