Last time we caught up with engineers from the Fiat-Chrysler group trying out Jeep’s upcoming small SUV, they were in a test mule dressed in a Fiat 500L…Frankenstein suit. Now, we have the first photos of an actual prototype of the new model that we’ll be calling the Jeepster for the time being and until the Detroit carmaker reveals the official designation.
While the prototype model is deeply camouflaged and aside from the traditional slotted Jeep grille peaking behind the black veil up front, we can see that the SUV has a different body with a boxier design than the 500L with which it shares its underpinnings.
A related model to Fiat’s upcoming 500X crossover, the Jeepster should be a tad smaller than the current Jeep Patriot, with rivals to include the Nissan Juke and Opel Mokka / Buick Encore.
Both the Fiat and the Jeep SUVs will be built at the same plant in Italy, with Marchionne pointing to a late-2014 launch for the Jeepster, which will likely make its world premiere as the Geneva Motor Show in March.
Photo Credits: CarPix for CarScoopS
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