Miami, Sunday, May 31st, 2015 (By Eduardo A. Hapke/ Negocios Magazine). The new 2016 Fiat 500X was presented in Miami the last Thursday in the classical monthly SAMA luncheon with the presence of more than 30 journalist and Fiat Chrysler executives. The presentation took place in MAPS Backlot, in Wynwood.
Designed at Centro Stile in Turin, Italy, the all-new Fiat 500X leverages the character and iconic features of the Fiat 500 into a larger and more capable package. With recognizable Cinquecento features inside and out, the Fiat 500X delivers a combination of Italian design and functionality to the rapidly growing small crossover segment.
Featuring comfortable seating for five, the 2016 Fiat 500X is available in five trim levels with distinct personalities: Pop, Easy, Trekking, Lounge and Trekking Plus.
“The Fiat 500X will significantly expand the reach of the FIAT brand in North America,” said Jason Stoicevich, Head of FIAT Brand North America, FCA US LLC. “The all-new 500X delivers the Italian design and personality that we are known for, along with an unprecedented level of equipment and technology. In addition, it will be the first vehicle in our portfolio to offer an advanced all-wheel-drive system that will provide customers with peace of mind in all driving conditions”.
Exterior & Interior design
The all-new Fiat 500X provides more space and utility while remaining true to the brand’s heritage. Design elements like double headlamps, trapezoidal nose, signature “whiskers and logo” face and rounded clamshell hood pay homage to the original Cinquecento. The Fiat 500X also features the smooth silhouette, 360-degree character line and chrome door handles characteristic of the FIAT brand.
All-new 500X offers a more capable look with additional ground clearance: 16-, 17- or 18-inch wheels and robust wheel arches. The new models will be available in 12 different exterior colors.
The Fiat 500X’s purposeful and distinct Italian design carries through to the interior, with classic Cinquecento elements such as a body-color instrument panel, circular cluster display and iconic door handles. Seven interior environments are available with a variety of colors and fabrics.
The instrument cluster features a standard monochrome and available color 3.5-inch thin-film transistor (TFT) cluster display, which allows drivers to customize and monitor information like fuel economy, outside temperature and driving range. At the center, the Fiat 500X is available with the Uconnect 5.0 or 6.5 radio system, providing passengers with information and connectivity options on a 5-inch or 6.5-inch touchscreen.
An available dual-pane sunroof features a power sliding panoramic roof with side glass panels that match with the bodyside sheet metal for a wide, spacious effect. A manual sunshade is provided to adjust the amount of light inside the vehicle.
Powertrain options
The Fiat 500X is available with three powertrain combinations, all developed and specifically tailored for North American driving preferences. Standard on the Pop model, the 1.4-liter MultiAir Turbo four-cylinder engine is paired with a six-speed manual transmission and generates 160 horsepower and 184 lb.-ft. of torque for a spirited driving experience. Also the 500X has 2.4-liter Tigershark I-4 engine with MultiAir2 is paired with the segment’s first nine-speed automatic transmission, producing 180 horsepower and 175 lb.-ft. of torque. The fully electronic nine-speed automatic features on-the-fly shift-map changing with Auto Stick manual shift capability.
All the models provides owners plenty of opportunity to customize the compact crossover, but an assist from Mopar (a simple contraction of the words Motor and PARts) is taking personalization possibilities to the “X-treme.” FCA US service, parts and customer-care brand will offer more than 100 accessories to personalize the latest addition to the FIAT lineup in North America.
“Already available in five trim models and 12 exterior colors, the additional option of more than 100 Mopar accessories from which to choose provides unlimited potential for giving the all-new 2016 Fiat 500X a distinct, unique personality,” said Pietro Gorlier, President and CEO — Mopar, FCA US LLC Service, Parts and Customer Care Brand.
Safety is a priority
The new small crossover offers up to 70 standard or available safety and security features, including the availability of Forward Collision Warning-Plus and LaneSense Lane Departure Warning-Plus.
The Fiat 500X is supplemented with both active and passive safety and security features, including Blind-spot Monitoring, Rear Cross Path detection, ParkView rear backup camera with dynamic grid lines, electronic stability control (ESC) with electronic roll mitigation and seven standard air bags.
Standard and available safety and security features on the all-new 2016 Fiat 500X include: advanced multistage air bags, blind-spot monitoring (BSM), driver’s side knee air bag, dual-note electric horns which produces two different tones at the same time, to cut through ambient noise, electronic stability control, front seat-belt pretensioners, parkSense rear park assist system, remote keyless entry, between others 65 available safety things.
Advanced Technology
The all-new 2016 Fiat 500X offers a range of communication, entertainment and navigation features, making a host of features once found only in premium vehicles available in the small crossover segment.
The Fiat 500X includes a standard monochrome and available color 3.5-inch thin-film transistor (TFT) cluster display, which allows drivers to customize and monitor information like fuel economy, outside temperature and driving range.
All the new models showcases Uconnect’s award-winning in-vehicle handsfree communication, entertainment and navigation.
Also available is the BeatsAudio premium sound system, which includes a subwoofer and eight speakers for studio-quality sound.
The starting price of the Pop model is $ 20,000; for the Easy is $ 22,300; the Trekking cost $ 23,100; the Lounge $ 24,350, and the Trekking Plus is $ 27,100.
The Pop model (six speed manual transmission, 1.4 L) gas consume is 25 MPG in city, and 34 MPG in highway.
Source: FCA, and Negocios Magazine.
Pictures: FCA.
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