Fiat News: Spying: Fiat 500X Abarth Plays Around In the Snow

[William Maley]

Fiat's performance arm, Abarth, looks to be working their magic on the Fiat 500X. Motor Trend got their hands on some new spy shots of a 500X mule sporting some interesting hardware.

 

First off, the 500X is riding on some very unique wheels. If you're wondering why they look familiar, this same wheel design has been used on various Alfa Romeo models. Behind the wheels are a set of red-painted calipers and larger discs. The big giveaway is around back where there are two exhaust tips.

 

As we reported last summer, the 500X could get the turbocharged 1.7L four-cylinder from the Alfa Romeo 4C. It is unclear if it will retain the 237 horsepower rating found in the 4C or be slightly detuned. All-wheel drive is expected to be standard. Abarth will also make tweaks to the chassis and suspension.

 

No word as to when Fiat will revealed the 500X Abarth.

 

Source: Motor Trend

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[G. David Felt]

Car is still Butt Ugly, will it have better reliability? I doubt it. Cool that it is AWD with some power, hopefully Fiat does not make the mistake of detuning the engine. This auto will need every pony to make it move and have some cool factor.Hopefully Torque is equal to or better than the 237hp. Wonder if it is really AWD or 4WD or 4x4 as a powertrain.

[Suaviloquent]

This would make a perfect Dodge subcompact crossover, bring more people to the brand and potentially save the Dart because some sales could be sprinkled onto it.

 

They sell hundreds of Fiats per month, while they sell thousands of Darts...

 

Yet they want to get rid of the Dart? If they're really commited to keep the $h!ty sellers out, are they seriously going to keep the 500 and 500L? 

 

And the 500X isn't a saviour either. It just won't sell, when the Jeep Renegade gives you more vehicle for the same price... the Fiat 500X is like the opposite of the Buick Encore/Chevy Trax twins.

 

You get a worse vehicle, and you pay more... I'm just laughing incredulously that they're going to make a high performance model of a model that they can't afford to even sell, and they are enabled to do so by not developing their only competitive small sedan in their entire family of brands.

 

Unbelievable.

[regfootball]

Fiats have not done well reliability wise but hey, just lease.

Renegade (which I've driven) isn't bad but some may be put off by jeep styling.

So I actually do like the idea to sell it as a dodge. It would sell very well. Sergio's ego doesn't want dodge to succeed though.

[regfootball]

One noteworthy bit is the renegade and 500x can be had with AWD + stick.