Fiat surprises journalists with 500X sneak peek

Fiat is aiming its 500 lineup straight at Mini with the 500L and now this Countryman rival, the 500X.

To us, the vehicle shown here (reportedly shown as a teaser to a pool of assembled journalists) looks to have opaque windows which could indicate that it's a non-rolling prototype, possibly without an interior.

CarsUK guesses it's based on the 500L, suggesting the same 1.4-liter gasoline and 1.3-liter diesel engines will be available. It also makes sense to expect a better look and more details on the 500X that will presumably be released at the Paris Motor Show this September. The vehicle looks somewhat similar to the already-shown 500L, but its raised ride height, trim-free doors, rounded wheel arches and matte lower trim improve the look greatly in our opinion. The best part? It doesn't have the 500L's awkward wraparound windshield or its ungainly greenhouse and stepped roof. The faster rear windscreen angle and different lighting looks much cleaner, too.

Without citing a source, Indian Cars Bikes maintains the 500X is just over 13 feet long and will be available with all-wheel drive with production starting in late 2013.

Source and a teaser video:
http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/04/f...0x-sneak-peek/

 

Interesting.

Makes it a lot more functional (and American appropriate).

 

definition cute-ute hah. Reminds me of a more curvaceous last gen RDX

 

I think it doesn't look right, and it loses the uniqueness and cute from the original 500. Mini's countryman's proportion looks a lot better.

 

Seems like Fiat might get few models around 500, since 500 is by the far their most successful model right now.

 

Rut Roh...dont let my wife see this. she will want one in pink.

 

and make you drive it!

:-)

 

does it have a vase like the bug???

 

nope, but I am sure it will have partially pink interior!

 

Gallery:
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog..../fiat-500l.jpg

After first revealing its new baby at the Geneva Motor Show in March, Fiat has finally served up more information and images on its upcoming 500L. Spanning 13.6 feet from tip to tail, the Italian automaker says there's room for five full-grown adults inside along with room for their luggage, thanks in part to a rear bench that can slide fore and aft as need be. All told, there's a bit more than 14.1 cubic feet of cargo area out back, which bests the Mini Countryman by nearly two cubic feet. With the second row seats stowed and the front passenger seat folded forward, the 500L can also transport material just shy of eight-feet long.

In Europe, buyers will be able to chose between two gasoline engine options: a turbocharged 0.9-liter two-cylinder good for 105 horsepower or a 95-horsepower 1.4-liter four-cylinder. An 85-horsepower 1.3-liter turbodiesel will also be available. Later, Fiat plans to introduce a version of the two-cylinder designed to run on methane.

The Fiat 500L will be produced in Serbia and will be available with options including UConnect with a five-inch screen, a glass roof that covers five square feet and 11 different body colors. No word yet on a U.S. on-sale date, but we do expect the plus-sized Cinquecento to make it to our market, awkward looks and all.

http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/10/p...ails-divulged/

 

500L looks nice.

 

just take the 'i' out, and you have the Fat 500.

 

Im glad they are expanding the line up. In the end I think the 500 isnt do so well because of price and fuel economy. I find that rather than selling like most small cars its fallen into the same rut as the mini. Its too expensive for most econo car buyers and doesnt give the same kind of mileage as many other competitors. I hope they nail it with this one. The added size will only help in the US market . 66.8% of Americans are overweight or obese and we need room for all that ***

 

The 500X and 500L are two different vehicles.

 

the second pic looks a lot better. The first pic just looks like the oversized version of the oversized Mini cooper