IAB Report - Not-for-India Fiat 500X production body shown, to be unveiled on July 4

10/05/2014 - 14:43 Fiat 500X, Fiat Karthik H

Fiat has released production images of the upcoming 500X mini SUV. As we had reported earlier, the Fiat 500X will not be sold in India.

Fiat 500X manufacturing in Melfi plant — The 500X is based on the Jeep Renegade platform (side structure seen in the background).

The SUV will be made at Fiat's manufacturing facility in Melfi, Italy and be sold in Europe, USA and China. Emerging markets like India and Brazil have been left out of the launch plan for the 500X. As far as the 500 family is concerned, India will get the successor to the nine-year old Fiat Punto, the Fiat 500 Plus in 2017, apart from the 500 Abarth in 2014.

Fiat official product plan India — Fiat's product plan for India clearly shows that the Fiat 500X is ruled out.

The 500X is built on the same platform that houses the Jeep Renegade, another product that has been canceled for India. Based on the Fiat-Chrysler Small-Wide platform, the 500X and Renegade share the same architecture.

Fiat 500X IAB Rendering — The 500X speculatively rendered by our digital artist Shoeb.

The mini SUV is headed to Europe soon to take on the likes of the Ford EcoSport, Nissan Juke, Peugeot 2008, Renault Duster and the upcoming Ssangyong XLV - which had made its debut at the Geneva Motor Show.

Fiat 500X production body side spyshot — The mini-SUV is to be unveiled on July 4.

The 500X will feature distinct styling details from other 500 models. The circular headlights and foglights (arranged below each other) and the grille are inspired by the 500 hatchback.

The car will be unveiled on July 4th, the 57th anniversary of the original Fiat 500 small car.