By: Minesh Bhagaloo
Turin, Italy - Daimler divorcing Chrysler, and Fiat taking over Daimler’s side of the bed in recent years, we knew that jointly-developed, American-Italian offspring would be imminent.
And so the latest Cherokee from the Yanks got an injection of Alfa Romeo Giulietta in its underpinnings, while more tangible is the latest all-new badge and product from the Italians in the form of the Fiat 500X – which gets its running gear from the Jeep Renegade and its design cues from its ancestral icon.
The carmaker is already calling the 500X the best Fiat of all time.
This latest Italian compact crossover is the fourth derivative in the Fiat 500 family, after the coupé and cabriolet, and the 500L, with the X in the badge representing a more rugged and adventurous approach to a car which started life in 1957 as a well-loved city runabout.
In terms of design the X may look like a juiced version of the more-regular 500 (Fiat actually created a viral video of a 500 coupé’s tank being spiked with Viagra and the X being the result!), but the crossover’s lines are still unmistakably 500 – and that (like the Mini Countryman) is what will count with fans.
Described as a fun vehicle you can wear everyday, the 500X is visibly larger than the coupé thanks to wheelbase and all-round dimensions swelling, but typical 500 cues like the circular headlights, “moustache and logo” nose, and bonnet with side-folds are just some of the design highlights.
The blue-pill effect kicks in with the bigger wheel arches housing bolder 17” and 18” wheels, 162mm of ground clearance, and specific bumpers (skid plates on a bundu-bashing Trekking version too) – while adding some fun are the various customisation options, with everything from body paint to trim finishes in tune with your taste buds. And then there are the Mopar bits and pieces, for some aftermarket aggro.
CREATIVE ENGINEERING
Look a little deeper and you may be surprised to find the lengths the Italians went to in terms of creative engineering.
As that X badge suggests, all-wheel-drive models are part of the offering, but so is a nine-speed gearbox (from the new Cherokee and Renegade, available on all-wheel-drive 500X models only), and two versions of front-wheel drive – with the more creative version termed Traction Plus, which uses the traction-control system to electronically mimic a limited-slip diff on the front axle.
Also cool across the range is the Mood Selector switch – offering Auto, Sport and All Weather driver modes (that last mode becomes a Traction mode in 4x2 models). These modes tweak engine, brakes, steering, traction and auto transmission for, well, best delivery of your driving mood.
A fleet of petrols and diesels are being launched to European buyers – but all us Saffers will need to concern ourselves with at local launch is the 1.4 Turbo MultiAir petrol (103kW/230Nm, six-speed manual or dual clutch) and the 1.6 E-torq petrol (naturally-aspirated, 81kW/152Nm, five-speed manual). The Italians reckon our fuel quality rules out the diesels.
The lack of the 2-litre petrol and diesel engines also rules out the nine-speed ‘box and all-wheel drive for SA. We will at least get the Traction Plus option, and various packs and trim levels (including two specific “looks” in the form of City and Offroad, with the latter getting raised this and protective that).
REFINED RIDE
Our drive in and around Turin last week made apparent that over and above its butch image the 500X offers a refined ride, solid build quality, and a generally modern feel. It may overshadow the littlest 500 size-wise, but the X doesn’t feel that much bigger to pilot, offering firm and tidy road manners on narrow Italian tar.
The interior is especially clean, with the retro throwbacks to its granddaddy evident (think hook-shape door handles, rounded-chrome dials, shape of glovebox, chrome 500 badge), but the overall design-school curves and finishes aim at pleasing the exuberant buyer.
There’s generally a good tactile feel going on here, with a comfy and sporty seating position, and controls which are easy to use.
In terms of space two adults should be happy in the back, while the 350-litre boot (1 000 with seats folded) is adequate for a weekend-warrior lifestyle.
The revelation, though, was the 104kW/350Nm 2-litre turbodiesel, paired to the nine-speed auto box and all-wheel drive. This range-topper offered idle-like revs at highway speed limits, and proved quite a capable warthog when things got dirty and the All Weather driving mood was at play. More than the quality of our fuel we suspect pricing may play a part in inhibiting this model from reaching SA.
Overall it’s safe to say that this X marks the spot in the 500 range; expect it in SA towards the middle of next year. And be nice Fiat SA, also consider the 140kW 2.4-litre “Tigershark” petrol (with nine-speed auto and all-wheel drive) – it will turn this 500 into a proper alligator.
Star Motoring
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