Fiat 500X Crossover is new addition to the 500-series

THE Fiat 500X makes its début on South African soil with a new compact crossover in the 500 family. The new Fiat 500X will be available in three different versions, the 500X Pop Star, 500X Cross and the 500X Cross Plus.

The 500X is equipped with two efficient petrol engines, the 1.4l MultiAir and the 1.6l E-TorQ with three types of transmission, five-speed manual, six-speed manual or a twin-clutch six-speed automatic. The 500X comes with front-wheel drive and traction plus configurations.

Characterised by distinctive, elegant style details, the 500X is sure to win over young, dynamic and metropolitan customers. A decidedly more off-road look makes the 500X Cross the ideal solution for lovers of leisure and outdoor activities who don’t want to give up the unique style of the Fiat 500.

The 500X has a solid, robust appearance which is ideal for customers looking for comfort, space and the equipment typically associated with that of compact saloons. The 500X is compact from the outside and has a large, protective environment with extensive use of fine materials, high-quality finishes and an array of practical storage compartments.

New 500X owners can chose from seven different exterior colours which are further enhanced by different designs of 17- and 18-inch alloy wheels. The new Fiat 500X offers various combinations of engines and transmissions to meet all usage requirements.

The following petrol engines will become available:

• 81kW 1.6 E-TorQ with five-speed manual gearbox and front-wheel drive.

• 103kW 1.4 turbo MultiAir II with front-wheel drive and a six-speed manual gearbox or twin-clutch six-speed automatic transmission.

The new 500X offers the ‘drive mood selector’, acts on engine, brakes, steering and transmission, permitting three different car behaviors based on the driving style most appropriate to the situation or road surface conditions.

The new Fiat crossover combines a body designed according to the most modern criteria with active and passive safety contents that ensures excellent performance.

Standard safety features on the entire range are:

• Six airbags for front, windows and sides.

• Front headlights with daytime running light function.

• Fog lights with self-adaptive cornering function.

• Electronic Stability Control (ESC).

• Lane assist (lane departure warning system).

• Blind spot assist (lane change assistance system to get around blind spots).

• Park view rear camera for reversing (on request from customer).

In terms of comfort and infotainment (entertainment and information combined) equipment, the Fiat 500X stands consists of the Uconnect systems with 5-inch or 6.5-inch touchscreens.

Both versions come complete with Bluetooth interface, Aux-in connector, USB port and voice commands.

Using the colour touchscreen, the system lets you access functions from the radio through to all the main multimedia sources like media player, iPod, iPhone and smartphones which can be connected through the USB port or Aux-in socket or Bluetooth audio streaming. This can all be managed directly using the steering wheel controls.

The new Fiat 500X debuted in the South African market during July and is now available at Fiat Chrysler dealers nationwide.

The 500X range will initially be launched with the 1.4l Cross with the six-speed manual transmission and limited numbers of the 1.4l Cross with the six-speed DDCT transmission.

The pricing will start at R344 900 and R359 900 respectively.

The 500X 1.4l Cross Plus will be launched at the end of August and the 1.6l Pop Star will be launched at the end of September. These models will be priced at R379 900 and R310 900 respectively.

The final model in the range, the Cross Plus DDCT, will be available in the fourth quarter of 2015 and will be priced at R394 900.

All Fiat products come standard with a three-year or 100 000km warranty and maintenance plan.