Fiat will start producing new small SUVs in the Polish Tychy factory in 2023. So far, there has been speculation that it will be a new generation 500X, but now it seems that it will be different.
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The Italian carmaker Fiat is preparing to expand again after joining the Stellantis concern. It is preparing new models for the coming years, which will finally strengthen its position on the European market again. One of the upcoming innovations should be an affordable city SUV nicknamed Panda SUV.
It has been revealed several times that Fiat is counting on two series of models in the future, as confirmed by the head of the brand, Olivier Francois. One day, there will be a well-known, rather premium 500 family, complemented by affordable, inspired cars Centovent concept from 2019which will probably bear the popular name Panda. The city SUV could also be a part of this family.
“What is certain is that now I have the opportunity to come up with a new name or use a legendary name from the past. I’m more inclined to the latter, because we have this favorable experience with a lot of satisfied customers, “he says of the possible name of the new Francois line for Auto Express magazine.
Both series differ in both price concept and design. The differences should also be emphasized by the fact that while the 500 series will in the future carry the number five hundred instead of the Fiat logo (after the electric 500 this detail was newly used by the 500X), the Panda Panda ’family continues to be adorned with the sovereign emblems of the Italian manufacturer.
So far, a three-member “Panda” family is emerging. A small hatchback could appear alongside today’s mini-truck as a replacement for the former Punto and small SUVs. It is to begin production in 2023 at the Tychy plant in Poland, taking advantage of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles’ merger with the PSA Group into the Stellantis Group. The basis is originally to be the French CMP platform.
This small SUV will complement the future 500X. However, he will use a more angular, more practical body against him. As a result, it is more of a replacement for the small MPV 500L. Fiat therefore seems to be responding to today’s trends and replacing small MPVs with city SUVs, as has been the case with competitors. The future 500X would then be an even bigger style than today, moreover, possibly only available with electric drive.
It is this small SUV that could be presented as a concept this year. In the Polish plant Tychy then will produce alongside small SUVs from Alfa Romeo and Jeepto use the same technical basis.
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