Reports are coming in that Fiat is working on an all-new compact SUV to rival the Ford EcoSport. This SUV is expected to hit the streets by 2016, and will be a sub-4 metre compact SUV. Codenamed as the X3U, built on Fiat’s modular 326 platform, Fiat plans to enter the popular compact SUV segment before it gets crowded.
It is learnt that Fiat is currently giving final touches to the new SUV. The pseudo-SUV, Avventura, will go on sale sometime this month. The new compact SUV is also expected to make an appearance at the 2016 Indian Auto Expo.
Powering the new SUV will be a scaled down version of the 1.6L diesel motor. Expected to be a 1.5L unit, it will also provide excise benefits and help the manufacturer to price the product competitively. The engine will be mated to a manual transmission and an AMT as well on a later date.
Source – Autocar