Paris Motor show: Fiat 500X aims for quality high ground

We've seen the shape already - the first photos of Fiat's most important new car in a decade filtered out through the gaps in the internet last week, but here in Paris, we're getting our first proper look at the Italian answer to the Nissan Juke.

The 500X, to judge from the name, must be based on the 500 itself. It isn't though - like the new Jeep Renegade, to which it is closely related and which is built in the same factory, it actually sits on a platform that began life under the current Fiat Punto and the outgoing Opel Corsa. It's smaller and more petite than the bulky, over-square Renegade though; much less the mountain climber, much more the urbanite and on this first viewing we'd say it does a better job of sizing-up the tiny 500's styling cues than does the bloated 500L MPV.

Fiat is playing the quality card with the 500X, trying to convince buyers that being made in Italy can be synonymous with high-end construction and says that "extensive use of high-grade materials, top-quality finishes and practical storage compartments" can be found on the inside. The boot is also a reasonable siz e for the class, at 350-litres.

Engines will kick off with the 1.3-litre MultiJet diesel in 95hp form, followed by the 120hp 1.6-litre MultiJet. Petrol power will be provided by Fiat’s familiar 1.4-litre turbo and the downsized 900cc two-cylinder TwinAir engine will doubtless make an appearance at some point. There will be a four-wheel-drive option, with the 140hp 2.0-litre diesel engine and a nine-speed automatic gearbox but Fiat expects take up on this model to be minimal.

All cars will get a Drive Mode Selector, similar to Alfa Romeo’s DNA system which will allow owners of front-wheel-drive models to tweak their car’s settings to better cope with foul conditions, without going to the expense of having a 4WD model.

Fiat was at pains to emphasise that, although the Renegade and 500X are related, they are quite different cars that will sell at quite different price points. The rugged Renegade, designed as much to go climbing mountains as bumping over school-run kerbs, “has some extra abilities engineered into it that won’t go into thr 500X.” Consquently, while the Renegade’s prices will start at around the €25,000 mark, the 500X will start at more like the €19,000 mark.

The 500X will go on sale in the second quarter of next year.