Fiat is preparing to replace its 500X urban SUV with a new model, potentially named 600. A prototype in development has already been seen in the Far North.
For several years, Fiat has been surfing on the success of the 500. In Europe, the city car has sold 120,000 units since its launch in 2020, including 66,000 units in 2022. However, there is no question of forgetting its SUV counterpart, the 500X. It will soon be replaced by a new model, as evidenced by photos brought back from Lapland by our spy photographers.
Launched at the end of 2014, the Fiat 500X is reaching the end of its life and should be replaced by 2024, after a major restyling in 2018 and lighter touch-ups in early 2022. Currently based on the Jeep Renegade platform, the SUV Italian has greatly reduced its catalog over the years with the disappearance of diesel or all-wheel drive. In the catalog, there is now a single engine, the 1.5 micro-hybrid 48V of 130 hp also under the hood of the Alfa Romeo Tonale or the Jeep Renegade and Compass. The 500X offers classic bodywork and a canvas-top Dolcevita version.
Electric but not only…
But for the new generation of its urban SUV, Fiat is taking advantage of its synergy with the rest of the Stellantis group (Peugeot, Citroën, Jeep, etc.) to adopt the latest generation CMP platform. This notably equips the new Jeep Avenger (its close cousin voted Car of the Year), as well as the Opel Mokka, DS3 and Peugeot 2008. The future Fiat 600 (a name yet to be confirmed) should therefore take over the new electric motorization of the group, a block of 156 hp associated with a battery of 54 kWh. The duo offers around 400 km of range.
Unlike the Jeep Avenger, the Fiat 600 should trust engines other than 100% electric with us. In France, Fiat’s SUV could indeed embark thermal, as is the case with the Avenger in certain markets (Spain, Italy) where the three-cylinder 1.2 PureTech gasoline 100 hp is offered. Will the new 136 hp petrol engine inaugurated by the Peugeot 3008 and 5008 also be part of it? Nothing is less sure !
A look close to the 500
In terms of style, the model is still in development and logically hides under thick tarpaulins. Nevertheless, there are large round headlights at the front and more rectangular lights at the rear, which are obviously reminiscent of the 500e and 500X. Rarely, the photographers were also able to take a picture of the passenger compartment, which is unsurprisingly reminiscent of that of the 500 electric. The digital counters are placed in a round element behind the steering wheel, and the multimedia system is placed in the center of the dashboard. It has Apple CarPlay compatibility as per the picture. Under the vents, there are also physical buttons for the air conditioning.
This Fiat 600, which would therefore be both electric and thermal, should be presented by the end of 2023 or the beginning of 2024.
Photos : Andreas Mau / CarPix.
Also read on Auto-Moto.com:
Fiat 500X and Tipo Cross: 48V hybrid and end of non-Cross versions
Jeep Avenger: what price for the car of the year 2023 with state aid?
Used Fiat 500e: our opinion, from 20,000 euros
