Fiat 500X production body revealed, confirmed for Australia by 2016
The body of the all-new Fiat 500X has been revealed at the company's production plant in Melfi, Italy, ahead of the car's rumoured debut on July 4 - and Fiat Australia has confirmed it's coming down under.
The new Fiat baby SUV - which has been confirmed to bear the 500X name and is expected to enter production within months - will further expand the 500 range, which already includes the cutesy retro three-door hatch, the five-door 500L and the extra-large (for a Fiat 500) 500 Living seven-seater model.
The images of the body shell of the new 500X were reportedly offered up by Fiat, and they show the basic form of the new high-riding model in stark contrast to the Jeep Renegade - with which is shares its underpinnings - which is seen in the background (see above image).
It generally retains the rounded shape of the now-iconic city runabout, though its roof is more angular at the rear, and it clearly adopts some typical crossover cues with sculpted doors and broadened wheel arches.
Engines and further specifications are unknown at this point, but the Fiat 500X will likely be powered by the brand's small capacity TwinAir two- and four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engines. It is expected that front- and all-wheel-drive versions will be sold.
Fiat Chrysler Australia director of corporate communications Karla Leach confirmed to CarAdvice the new 500X will be sold here, but it may not arrive until 2015 or possibly 2016 - depending on the levels of interest from other global markets.
If the car is revealed on July 4 - the day Fiat will celebrate the 500's 57th anniversary - we'll bring you all the images and information. Otherwise, expect full details later this year, as it is expected to make its motor show debut in Paris in October.
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