Fiat’s big news at the Paris Auto Show is the world debut of the new 500X small crossover that will go on sale in more than 100 countries worldwide, including the United States next year.

It joins Fiat’s rapidly expanding 500 family after the 500 city car, 500L MPV and 500L Tekking.

You won’t be able to tell from its appearance that it shares its underpinnings with the Jeep Renegade, as Fiat went for a softer, more chic look for the 500X, which will be offered in two versions, one aimed at the stylish, urban crowd and the other, with a more off-road look and equipment.

The 500X measures 4.25 meters long (the rugged model is 20mm longer), 1.8 meters wide and 1.6 meters tall (with roof bars or 4-wheel drive the figures are 1.61 meters and 1.62 meters respectively). The boot capacity with the rear seats in place stands at 330 liters.

In Europe and at launch, the engine line-up will feature the 140PS 1.4 Turbo MultiAir II petrol with front-wheel drive and 6sp manual gearbox, the 120PS 1.6 MultiJet II diesel also with front-wheel drive and 6sp manual and the 140PS 2.0 MultiJet II diesel with 9sp automatic and 4-wheel drive.

Later on, Fiat will enhance the range with the 110PS 1.6 “E-torQ” with a 5sp manual and front-wheel drive, the 170PS 1.4 Turbo MultiAir II with a 9-speed automatic and 4-wheel drive and the 184 HP Tigershark 2.4-liter with a 9-speed automatic and 4-wheel drive.

The rugged versions of the new 500X will offer the ” Drive Mood Selector “, which acts on engine, brakes, steering and transmission, permitting three different car behaviors, based on the driving style and road surface conditions: Auto (for the best in comfort and fuel economy), Sport (for performance) and All weather (maximum safety even in low grip conditions).

On the leisure editions with AWD, the All-weather mode is replaced by the “Traction” function, which, in the case of the four-wheel drive version, speeds up the transmission of torque to the rear axle. On models with front-wheel drive, it activates the “Traction Plus” control system, which improves grip.

Photo Gallery