Paris Live - Fiat 500X

03/10/2014 - 19:57 Fiat 500X, Fiat, 2014 Paris Motor Show Nithyanandh K

Shares its platform with the Jeep Renegade.

The eagerly anticipated Fiat 500X compact crossover SUV bowed in at the 2014 Paris Motor Show today.

The 500X completes the iconic nameplate's (which has now become the automaker's important sub-brand) extended lineup which includes the 500 hatchback, 500 L and 500 L Living (7-seat) MPVs.

Visually, the new Fiat crossover looks like a magnified 500 hatchback which is a good thing given that the design has already struck a chord with a vast audience base. It is available in two looks - one with a 'metropolitan' appeal and the other with an 'adventurous' appeal.

Inside, the dashboard design is fresh with a chunky steering wheel, triple instrument pods, a color infotainment display and centre AC vents that are located unusually low on the centre console. Colors used are black, beige and piano black.

The engine lineup is made up of four petrol and three diesel engines with choices of manual and automatic transmissions driving either the front wheels or all four wheels. The petrol lineup includes a 1.6-litre E-TorQ, 1.4-litre turbo MultAir II in two different tunes and a range topping 2.4-litre Tigershark unit.

The more powerful 1.4-litre and 2.4-litre engines are available with a 9-speed automatic transmission (first for a Fiat car) and an all-wheel drive system which detaches itself without the driver input when not needed. Other transmission options include a 5-speed manual, 6-speed manual and a 6-speed automatic. The petrol lineup's output ranges from 110 PS to 184 PS.

The diesel range is made of the 1.3-, 1.6- and 2.0-litre MultiJet units. The smallest engine makes do with a 5-speed manual gearbox while the other two motors get a 6-speed manual. The 2.0-litre can also be had with the 9-speed AT and all-wheel drive system. The diesel lineup output ranges from 95 PS to 140 PS.