The bulk of Fiat brand’s sales has been made up in recent years by just two models, the Panda and its posh sibling, the 500 – both based on the same architecture.
To emulate the success of these models in the upper segments, Fiat is said to be planning to model its entire range around the two city cars, according to a Car magazine report. The first result of this strategy is the 500L minivan, which borrows styling cues from the iconic 500, but plays in the league of B-segment MPVs.
It looks like we’re going to see more 500-badged Fiats in the future, with the 500X compact crossover being next in line. Think of it as an Italian Mini Countryman. The 500X will replace the aging Sedici crossover (based on the outgoing Suzuki SX4) and will have typical SUV characteristics like the increased ride height and plastic body cladding to give it an off-road look.
The next member of the 500 family to emerge will be the 500XL, which will replace the Punto. Sized between a supermini and a family hatchback, the 500XL will share the platform with the 500L and 500X and will be sold in all global Fiat markets.
The Panda-side of the Fiat family will expand with the Panda XXL in 2015, which will replace the Bravo compact hatchback. However, it will ditch the Bravo’s conventional proportions, instead adopting a Panda look with a high roofline and SUV-like proportions. It will be a similar stuff to what Nissan did with the Almera-replacing Qashqai.
Finally, according to the report, Fiat plans to launch a…“giant Panda” crossover that will replace the Dodge Journey-based Fiat Freemont and will give the brand fresh material to compete with the likes of Ford Kuga, Honda CR-V and even 7-seater MPVs like the VW Sharan.
By Dan Mihalascu
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