Fiat Debuts 500 RED With A Sanitizing Glovebox And UV-C Lamp, New Tipo Cross SW And More For 2022

Fiat has announced a suite of updates for its 2022 range including a new Tipo Cross SW, some minor tweaks for the 500X, and a host of new RED Editions created through collaboration with the pandemic-fighting organization (RED).

Starting with the 500X RED, the SUV gains a new “500” emblem at the front replacing the Fiat logo and the chrome accent, and a new FIAT lettering at the back. These changes apply to the entire MY22 500X range including the Cult, Club, Cross, and Sport trim levels. As of last year, the SUV comes in both Hatchback and soft-top Dolcevita bodystyle variants.

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The emblem change makes it look more in line with the fully electric New 500, freshening up its design without the need for a full-blown facelift. The Italian B-SUV premiered in 2014 and was facelifted in 2018 giving it a new lease of life. This year it is rumored that it will get a new engine, although nothing has been confirmed yet.

New Tipo Cross Station Wagon

Another important announcement that was hidden between the lines of the (RED) special editions is the new Fiat Tipo Cross Station Wagon. Since the 2020 facelift of the entire Tipo range, the adventurous Cross variant was exclusively available as a five-door hatchback, but now it has been expanded to the more practical station wagon, leaving the sedan as the only Tipo bodystyle that hasn’t been “crossoverized”.

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Just like its shorter sibling, the Tipo Cross Station Wagon gets 17-inch alloy wheels, plastic cladding on the bumpers, fenders, and side sills, aluminum-style skid plates, increased ground clearance (+1.6 inches / 40 mm), and full-LED headlights/taillights. The longer rear overhang brings a 110 lt (3.9 cubic feet) increase in the boot space that is now rated at 550 lt (19.4 cubic feet)

As for the Tipo RED special edition, it gets a Passione Red exterior with body-colored mirrors, (RED) logos on the pillars, and Sequal Marine Plastic upholstery for the seats featuring the FIAT monogram and red stitching. The model is also available in  Colosseo Grey, Gelato White, and Cinema Black exterior shades but the mirrors are always red.

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The Panda RED is based on the Panda City Cross trim that was updated for 2021, which means it gets the same crossover-style look and the 1.2-liter mild-hybrid engine. In terms of specification, it is borrowing the same colors, badges, and interior upholstery from the Tipo RED.

The 500 RED’s sanitizing glovebox

All RED models get a biocide substance that kills 99.9% of the bacteria and viruses, applied on the air cabin filter, the steering wheel, and the seats. They also benefit from a Welcome Kit that includes a dispenser and a special key cover.

Additionally, the New 500 RED gets the “Sanitizing Glove Box” system which includes a UV-C lamp inside the dashboard glove compartment sanitizing everything that gets exposed to it. The lamp gets activated by a button on the center console while an external blue light notifies when the 3-minute irradiation cycle is complete. This means you can easily sanitize your smartphone, keys, and other small objects every time you gen inside the car.

(RED) was founded in 2006 by U2-frontman Bono and Bobby Shriver with the goal of combating AIDS. Through partnerships with various brands, (RED) has raised nearly $700 million for the Global Fund to date. In the wake of COVID-19, the same army of companies is now raising money for “strengthening healthcare systems and supporting life-saving programs in the communities hit hardest by pandemics”.