Fiat 500X SUV spied

Fiat’s new 500X SUV has been spotted out and about by our spies, proving the Italian-based manufacturer is wasting little time in pressing on with the ambitious five-year plan it announced earlier this week.

The newest member of the Fiat 500 family arrives as Fiat looks to simplify its range, and will serve as a replacement for the axed Sedici, combining crossover practicality with the city car’s looks.

Although the 500X is heavily disguised in these pictures, it’s still clear the rounded headlights and door mirrors are inspired by those found on the standard 500.

Further back, the squared-off taillights, oversized rear bumper and a boot-mounted spoiler all serve to echo the supermini, too.

This won’t just be an inflated 500 though, as the bonnet is longer and less curved, while the single-bar grille appears to have been reworked for a more muscular appearance. Not that the styling will be overly rugged, as Fiat will look to avoid too much overlap with the 500X’s sister car, the Jeep Renegade.

Both cars will be built on the Fiat-Chrysler ‘Small Wide’ platform, which already underpins the 500L and is essentially an enlarged version of the current Punto’s chassis.   

There’s no word from Fiat just yet about what will power the 500X, although expect two- and four-wheel drive layouts to be offered with a 1.4-litre turbo in various stages of tune and a 1.6-litre Multijet diesel. 

It’ll be built alongside the Renegade at Fiat’s factory in Melfi, Italy, and could possibly make its official debut at the Paris Motor Show in October, before going on sale toward the end of the year.