Fiat and Chrysler are currently working on a new small SUV for the Fiat and Jeep brands that will be built in Italy and share the same platform as the Fiat 500L.
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Fiat and Chrysler are currently working on a new small SUV for the Fiat and Jeep brands that will be built in Italy and share the same platform as the Fiat 500L. Fiat has already revealed the Fiat version that will be dubbed the 500X, but it’s reportedly been tweaked a bit to give it more curves. Chrysler has yet to unveil the Jeep version, but according to sources it will look like a baby Wrangler.
Production of the new small Jeep SUV will kick off in June 2014, while the Fiat 500X will go into production around three months later. It’s expected that 150,000 versions of the Jeep SUV will be produced, while the Fiat 500X will be slightly less at 130,000 units. In terms of size, the Fiat 500X will slot in between the five-passenger 500L and the seven-seat 500L Living. The 500X will be offered in both front and all-wheel-drive versions and in Europe it will also replace the Sedici.
The unnamed Jeep version, which is known internally as the B-SUV will only be offered with all-wheel-drive. “If we get the right ride and handling and we get the right fuel economy — and I’m convinced we will — not only will we be competitive in what is the emerging B-SUV segment, you’re going to see hatchback and sedan buyers in B and C [segments] looking at that vehicle as a competitive alternative,” stated Jeep brand head Mike Manley.
Source: Automotive News
