Want to get the X side of beauty? We secured prices and specs for new Fiat 500X

We are all familiar with the Fiat 500, right?  The adorable re-invented Fiat 500 is the stylish city car many have come to love, and have sold very well.  So Fiat decided to cash in by riding on the Fiat 500 name, in expanding its 500-named products to 500L van/SUV type odd-ball which was launched in 2013, and now entering the proper popular cross-over segment with the Fiat 500X.

The 500 family face is clear, and as they nailed such a design icon in the 500, it only made sense to use that capital to create a bigger version of it, much like MINI has successfully done with the MINI Hatch and Countryman.

The ivory-grey paint colour seems to be in vogue, and is named Arte Grey.

Make your choice of 2 souls

The 500X is one product with 2 souls: 1 is the more urban-oriented Pop Star with city look, and the other has a stronger off-road look available in Cross and Cross Plus, thus appealing to different tastes.  Unfortunately the more luxurious 500X Lounge is not available locally.

Fiat 500X Pop Star

Fiat 500X will be available locally in Pop Star with a 1.6 petrol engine of 81kW and 152Nm (no turbo, sorry) and 5-speed manual, and features items like 6 airbags, electric parking brake, Electronic Stability Control, UConnect radio with USB and Bluetooth, Drive Mood Selector and rear parking sensors.

Fiat 500X Cross and Cross Plus

The 500X Cross gets the 1.4 turbo petrol engine is from the smart Multiair 2 family, delivering 103kW and 230Nm.  all-road-look bumpers, roof rails, half-leather upholstery, 17-inch alloy wheels, and Traction Plus for front-wheel traction, as none of the 500X are 4x4.  The Cross Plus adds items like xenon headlights, 18-inch alloys, navigation and keyless entry&go.  The Cross spec is available in 6-speed manual or 6-speed DDCT automatic transmission.

Prices and availability

The 2 models available at launch will be the 500X Cross in manual and auto:

Fiat 500X 1.4T Cross manual	:  R 344 900
Fiat 500X 1.4T Cross DDCT	:  R 359 900

In the fourth quarter the 1.6 Pop Star will be phased in, at indicative pricing of R 310 900, and introduction dates to be confirmed on the Cross Plus at around R 379 900 / R 394 900 for manual / auto.