IAB Report - Fiat India teases Cross Punto (Avventure); Auto Expo world debut confirmed

Fiat India has released this teaser image of the 'Urban Warrior' which will be revealed at the Auto Expo tomorrow. The Warrior in question is the Cross Punto, which will be badged as Fiat Punto Avventure (or Fiat Punto Avventura according to a newspaper report).

We're able to see a well styled alloy wheel in this image (which is usually reserved for Fiat models from the 500 platform). The exhaust tip bears resemblance to that of the Linea T-Jet's. However, this image confirms an important feature which is a boot-mounted spare wheel. You can see a hinge attached to the rear bumper which will function as a swingarm mechanism for the spare wheel.

Fiat India's Managing Director, Mr. Nagesh Basavanhalli, was quoted telling a newspaper that the R&D for the car was carried out in Fiat's Indian technical center (located in Chennai) with support coming from headquarters in Italy.

This lends us to believe that the Avventure could sport more than just visual enhancements. The ground clearance of the pseudo-crossover could be increased to about 200 mm, up from the current 185 mm. Powering the car will be the 1.3-liter MultiJet engine, which can be offered in power outputs of 75 PS and 90 PS.

The Punto Avventure will compete with the VW Cross Polo and the new Toyota Etios Cross, which coincidentally, has its Indian premiere at the Auto Expo as well.