Fiat 500X sets sights on Juke

New compact crossover, available in front-wheel-drive or 4WD forms, joins the Fiat 500 family

The Fiat 500X is a compact crossover that completes the Italian manufacturer’s family of models based on its popular 500 supermini. It will go on sale in the UK in the second quarter of next year and sit alongside the regular 500 and larger 500L derivatives in Fiat’s line-up.Two versions of the 500X have been created, one intended as a chic urban car, the other with more rugged design themes. Both get a more muscular interpretation of the retro-inspired styling as the rest of Fiat’s 500 family.

Tinted windows, roof rails and  a tailgate spoiler also feature.The 500X sits on a modified version of the SCCS platform that underpins the Fiat Punto and Vauxhall Corsa. The urban-orientated model measures 4.25 metres in length, while the more rugged version is 2cm longer. Both are 1.80m wide and 1.61m high. Boot volume is quoted at 350 litres.  

Personalisation will play a large role in the 500X’s appeal, with a choice of 12 different body colours and eight alloy wheel designs offered.The engine range consists of four petrols and three diesels. Front-wheel-drive, petrol powered models are equipped with either a 108bhp 1.6-litre unit with a five-speed manual gearbox or a 138bhp 1.4-litre turbo with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

A 168bhp 1.4 petrol turbo with all-wheel drive is offered with a nine-speed automatic transmission as standard.The front-wheel-drive diesel range starts with a 94bhp 1.3-litre unit equipped with a five-speed manual gearbox as standard. Next up is a 118bhp 1.6-litre turbodiesel fitted with a six-speed manual gearbox.Four-wheel-drive variants get a 138bhp 2.0-litre diesel, which is fitted with either a six-speed manual or a nine-speed automatic transmission.
The 500X also features a Drive Mode Selector with three modes for the engine, brakes, steering and transmission: Auto, Sport and All Weather. On the more rugged version, All Weather mode is replaced by a Traction function, which speeds up the transmission of torque to the rear axle on four-wheel-drive versions or activates a Traction Plus control system on the front-drive cars.