Fiat 500X Is A Compact SUV

Fiat is readying the 500X for launch sometime later this year. The 500X is a compact SUV based on the 500 platform. It is part of Fiat’s expansion of the 500 range to more vehicles. Recently Fiat revealed the 500L, which is an MPV based on the 500. The Fiat 500X is a compact SUV, which will rival the Ford EcoSport and Renault Duster. It looks smashing and if priced right, could do very well. The Fiat 500X is based on the same chassis (which is based on the latest generation Panda. The compact crossover will use a front-wheel drive layout, while Fiat will offer a 4-wheel drive version of the 500X sometime later. Fiat currently sells the Panda in 4×4 guise as well.

Other details about the Fiat 500X are still under wraps and one can’t really say what will be the features on this car. However, knowing Fiat, one can expect them to plonk the 1.3-litre Multijet diesel and 900cc MultiAir perol engines. The illustration is somewhat accurate but we doubt the 500X will feature such a sharp coupe-like roof at the rear. Such kind of roof will leave the rear headroom too less for adults. Fiat will offer the best set of equipments on the 500X, something which it already does on the 500 line-up. Prices are expected to start at £14,000 (which translates to Rs. 12.1 lakhs at today’s exchange rates).

Just recently Fiat India’s head of operations, Mr. Enrico Atanasio said that the company will concentrate on the B and C-segment. He further states that Fiat will bring in products in more segments and the SUV segment is one of them. Could Fiat bring in the 500X to India in 2014? This could work very well for them, if they localize the crossover aggressively and price it around Rs. 10 lakhs. The company should also considering bringing in the Panda to India once it establishes its independent dealership network.

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Fiat Punto Van, Do We Need One In India?

Fiat in India has been in a critical stage, and they are trying every bit to get back in the race. Now Fiat in Europe launched an interesting offering, Fiat Punto van. And we are looking down if it can be a potential and possible launch in India in the near future. As the name suggest it’s the same Fiat Punto but undergone some plastic surgery with some body panels where we get our rear windows. This punto is capable of carrying 350 liters and 533 kgs of cargo. The Punto van is powered by a 1.3-liter Multijet II available with three different power trains (75, 85 and 95 BHP). The Fiat Punto Van will be available in three colors and two trim levels.

While Fiat has been doing decent numbers in Europe with the Panda and Punto, the same can’t be said in India. The company has not been able to put a good show infront of Maurti Suzuki’s Swift or Hyundai’s i20. Product onslaught can work wonders at time and Hyundai has shown it very well how going offensive with product launches can increase market share. With Fiat not any further behind with a large range of cars on offer aboard, the company’s two product offering in India has not really caught the fancy of many. So what do you say, will the Punto van be an interesting offering by Fiat India or should it maintain its image as a family car company?

- Kanishk Arora

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Fiat Unveils Viaggio Sedan At Beijing Motor Show

Earlier we had brought you the news that Fiat would be debuting it’s all new premium class sedan, the Viaggio at the ongoing Beijing International Auto Show. With the Viaggio, Fiat is primarily focusing on the Chinese market very seriously, so seriously that it even gets a Chinese name; Fei Xiang. The Fiat Viaggio name evokes the experience of a flying dream towards the discovery of a new lifestyle totally befitting the brand positioning La Vita è Bella (life is beautiful) which embodies the Italian philosophy of living life to the fullest with passion and style.
Looking at the Fiat Viaggio, you can clearly see the underlying Italian styling cues that run through the entire exterior. With a large front grille, large fog lamps and a big swept back headlamps design, the car looks sleek and sophisticated. An extended C-pillar enables a sleek silhouette. Also abundant on the Fiat Viaggio is the amount of chrome treatment that it gets right from its base variant. Coming to the interior, the Fiat Viaggio gets a driver centric look that Fiat calls “Floating Island Bezel”. The Fiat Viaggio is based on Fiat’s new CUSW (Compact US Wide) architecture. This is the most advanced platform in the Fiat Group and has been previously used in the Dodge Dart which the company presented at the Detroit Motor Show in January 2012.
The CUSW architecture is, in turn, derived from the Compact architecture originally developed for the best-selling Alfa Romeo Giulietta, a framework that enables the Italians and the Americans to share technologies and components and most of all best practices for engineering and design capabilities. In the Chinese market, Fiat will be offering the 1.4-litre T-jet engine that develops 120 and 150 BHP of power. The Fiat Viaggio measures 4,679 mm in length, 1,850 mm in overall width and has a 2,708 mm wheelbase.

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Fiat Releases Teaser Images Of Viaggio Sedan

Fiat is all set to debut its new compact sedan, the Viaggio at the 2012 Beijing Inernational Auto Show to be held on 23rd April. The Fiat Viaggio is based on the 2013 Dodge Dart model which in turn is again based on Fiat’s new CUSW (Compact US Wide) platform derived originally from the Compact architecture developed for the Alfa Romeo Giulietta. Though the sharing of platforms may seem complicated, but things have gotten a simple here. Before the official debut of the Fiat Viaggio, some images of the car got leaked in the online media.
Apparently Fiat came to know about this and has now officially released some teaser images and details about the vehicle before the debut. The name Viaggio stands for “voyage” or “journey” in Italian. The Fiat Viaggio also gets a Chinese name “Fei Xiang” which means flying. The Fiat Viaggio measures 4679mm in length and 1850mm in width with a wheelbase of 2708mm. Fiat however, has only released exterior shots of the vehicle and no interior shots. From the exterior, it is clearly visible that the Fiat Viaggio is differentiated from the Dodge Dart based on its front fascia and the rear end.
The company will be offering this vehicle first in the Chinese market. in china, the Fiat Viaggio will come with 1.4 -litre T- Jet turbocharged petrol engine producing 120 BHP and 150 BHP of power. The engine is either mated to a 5 speed manual gearbox or the Dual Dry Clutch Transmission (DDCT) developed exclusively by Fiat Powertrain. The Fiat Viaggio will go on sale during the third quarter of this year. The company is also developing a 5 door hatchback version of the same which could be a replacement for the Fiat Bravo.

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New Fiat Linea 2013 Facelift Model Revealed In Turkey

Back in January 2012, not even three months back, Fiat launched the 2012 Fiat Linea and 2012 Fiat Grande Punto in the Indian market. Whereas during the same period, in Turkey, Fiat was working on the facelift model of the New Fiat Linea 2013 and recently it has started assembling the same.
Autossegredos, a Portuguese automobile blog, has been able to gather some scoop shots of the new Linea hitting the production line in Tofas in Bursa, Turkey. As of now we do not expect this new model to come to India but in 2013 we can surely expect the same to reach the Indian shore.


So what is new in the 2013 Fiat Linea?

• From the image it is completely clear that the front fascia has got some major improvements
• A good amount of chrome has been used on the face now
• A new chrome grille is there
• Revised bumpers with chrome accents
• A lip spoiler

image – 2013 Fiat Linea Facelift Model Turkey
In India the Fiat Linea 2012 is available with three engine options, a 1.4 litre petrol, a 1.4 litre T-Jet petrol and a 1.3 litre Multijet diesel but also comes with a 1.6 litre Multijet diesel engine. However the New Fiat Linea 2013 facelifted model will also feature a 1.4 litre Multiair petrol engine and a second generation 1.3 litre Multijet diesel engine. It is yet to be known whether the 1.4 Multiair will reach India or not.

image – 2013 Fiat Linea Facelift Model Turkey
By comparison to the older model, the 2012 Linea has been upgraded with features like rain sensing wipers, automatic headlamps, improved sound proofing ( only available with diesel versions), better air conditioning system and 185 mm of ground clearance which is best-in-class. Despite the remarkable upgrade, the car is still finding it hard to reach a position where it sales are appreciable enough. So let us hope the New Fiat Linea 2013 model comes to the domestic market soon and improves the sales further for Fiat India with its improved styling and better engine options.
Some more new and clear shots of 2013 Fiat Linea Facelift have been spotted online which we are sharing with you below:

image – 2013 Fiat Linea Facelift New Model

image – 2013 Fiat Linea Facelift New Model

image – 2013 Fiat Linea Facelift New Model

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2013 Fiat Linea Facelift Hits The Production Line

Fiat India will not be launching any new product in India this year, but that does not stop the Italian automaker from updating its models worldwide. The Fiat Linea has received a minor facelift and production has already started in Turkey. As can be seen in the pictures, the Linea now gets minor cosmetic updates, which to be honest steal the gorgeous looks of the current model. The front retains the headlights of the old model but the Linea now features a new front bumper, chrome slated grille, front lip spoiler, new alloy wheels, new rear bumper, new boot lid and new tail lights.

The interiors of the 2013 Fiat Linea too get some minor changes, with new colours being used on the dashboard. The overall update is quite minor but the major change is to the powertrains. The Linea is now powered by a 1.4-litre MultiAir petrol engine and the 1.3-litre Multijet II diesel engine. Both these engines are the latest in Fiat’s compact engine line-up and feature the best of technology, helping them to emit less CO2 and return exceptional mileage.

The Multijet II engine gets a new injection management system, which offers upto 8 injection per cycle (the Multijet 1 offers only 5). This engine meets Euro V emission norms and produces 95 PS of peak power and 200 Nm of peak torque.The 1.4-litre MultiAir engine is an award winning motor, which gives the vehicle increased power and torque output and reduced fuel consumption. Fiat is unlikely to get these engines to India due to the costs involved in the development of these engines.

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Fiat To Launch 500X Small Crossover Next Year

The Italian car manufacturer, Fiat is set to commence the production of the cross-over variant 500 minicar by next year. The new model is set to be called the 500X where the letter X standing means “Cross”. The 500X will be replacing the current Fiat Sedici and it is set to get a SUV styling with design cues of a hatchback. The 500X will add up to the current model line-up of Fiat as the 6th variant along with the Fiat 500 3 door hatchback, Abarth Performance version, the 500C Convertible and the 500L 4 door.

The 500X, just like the 500L will be using a widened version of Fiat’s small car architecture that underpins the Punto subcompact. The 500X will measure close to 4200mm long. The 500X is expected to be manufactured at Fiat’s Mirafiori plant at Turin. The Fiat Sedici is also to be built along with its sister model, the Suzuki SX4 at the Japanese automaker’s factory in Hungary. Fiat is expected to begin production of the 500X by the month of December 2013.

It will be built alongside a new Jeep small SUV code-named B-SUV. The B-SUV will go into production in the second quarter of 2014. The Fiat 500X and the Jeep B-SUV will be provided with Fiat’s 900cc, 2 cylinder and a 1.4 litre 4 cylinder gasoline engine along with the company’s 1.3 litre multi-jet diesel called Multijet II. Will Fiat consider bringing in the 500X for the Indian market?

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Fiat India Opens India’s First Fiat Caffé At New Delhi

Fiat India Automobiles has announced the launch of Fiat Caffe- an initiative to showcase the distinctive Italian automotive lifestyle experience for FIAT owners and enthusiasts. The Caffe opening at Tolstoy Marg in New Delhi is the first FIAT Caffe in the country. The second Caffe will be launched in Pune which makes India the only country in the world to proudly house two FIAT Caffes.

At the Caffe, customers can go through the latest FIAT India cars on display, take a test drive, browse through FIAT worldwide or FIAT India details, guided by specially trained personnel. The collection of international FIAT merchandise, giant video screens running FIAT ads, stylish and unique furniture & fittings will give a glimpse of FIAT’s vast history and rich heritage while adding a luxury feel to the Caffe There will be special events, product display and previews held at the Caffe from time to time. An in house library will feature books on FIAT’s glorious history, the various sub brands and its sister companies. The guests can enjoy the classic Italian atmosphere while enhancing ones knowledge about their favourite brands, sipping to some authentic Italian coffee, which will be one of the many highlights of the Caffe.

image – Fiat Café New Delhi India

Speaking on this occasion Mr. Rajeev Kapoor, President & CEO FIAT India Automobiles Ltd said,

“The launch of FIAT Caffe is an integral part of our strategy to showcase our commitment to the Indian customer and market. With this Caffe we aim to promote our Italian heritage and the ‘real’ FIAT brand, by engaging a passionate connect amongst the audience and prospects with FIAT automobiles. The Caffe will provide us with an opportunity to hold an array of events, both car and lifestyle related, demonstrating the values and culture we share at FIAT, amidst the Italian ambiance while sipping on authentic Italian coffee.”

image – Fiat Caffé Launch At New Delhi India

FIAT will display its merchandise and accessories at these brand stores. It is a marketing initiative with the idea of buzz creation around the brand and aims at making a bold & crisp statement about its presence in India. It also aims at audience and prospect engagement as well as sales facilitation. Globally, FIAT has several Caffes to showcase brands like Ferrari, Lancia, Alfa Romeo and Maserati.

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Fiat Linea 2012 and Grande Punto 2012 Price & Changes Compared To Older 2008 Models

Fiat India launched its Fiat Grande Punto 2012 and Fiat Linea 2012 In India with lots of new segment first features like automatic headlamps and rain sensing wipers, BlueMe Technology and many other improvements on the features and interiors. There has been improvements in ground clearance, Air conditioning interior color tones etc. Now the variants have also been revamped to present more value to Fiat car buyers. There have also been new colour (Oceanic Blue) and lot more listed in detail below.


image – Fiat Linea 2012 Sedan New Model

Fiat Linea 2012 and Fiat Punto 2012 New Features Details

Fiat Linea 2012 India

New Features Added to Fiat Linea 2012 India are as follows:

• Integrated Audio System in all variants
• Airbags, and BlueMe feature  in mid variants
• Automatic Climate Control System
• ABS and EBD 
• New Design alloy Wheels
• Rain Sensing Wipers
• Auto On/Off Headlamps
• New Leather seats in top of the line diesel variants
• New Chrome Interiors and 16 inch alloys in top of the line diesel variants
• New Light beige interiors and seat fabric
• New Dashboard and door trims
• New Floor Carpets and Seatbelts
• New Oceanic Blue Exterior Colour
• Improved Air Conditioning
• Power Windows with delay feature
• Improved NVH for diesel models

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Dodge Journey and Fiat 500 recalled for safety issues

Chrysler has decided to recall a total number of 340 vehicles consisting of Dodge Journeys and Fiat 500s built between the 24 and 26 October of this year. The recall is as a result of contaminated brake fluid that was put in during the vehicles’ assembly. According to a report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, these vehicles “may experience a degradation of the sealing components within the brake system.” The consequences of this incident could lead to the loss of breaking ability and result in a crash.
To resolve the problem, Chrysler will be replacing, free of charge of course, any vehicle components that would have come in contact with the contaminated hydraulic fluid. The official safety recall is expected to begin in December.

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