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Big news is on the horizon for the Fiat brand, as it recently announced an all-new, full-sized crossover variant of the Fiat 500X that’s set to hit the U.S. and Europe by early 2014. Teaser images (supposedly unexpected by the company) were released for a few short seconds when the vehicle was announced recently at the Fiat 500L’s media launch on the U.S.’ Independence Day (July 4^th) in Turin, Italy. Fortunately for Fiat fans across the globe, the OmniAuto was able to capture the brief a single image on film.

The lone image shows a rather conventional hatchback design, yet with distinctly tall ride height and rugged-looking protective cladding for adventurous types. In Europe, the vehicle will replace the Fiat Sedici, but in the U.S. it will be a brand- new entry in the fast-growing crossover market, which will soon be comprised of the Ford EcoSport, the MINI Cooper Countryman, and the Buick Encore.

The Fiat 500x Crossover is set to hit dealers in early 2014

The new Fiat 500X will join several other, more seasoned veterans of the Fiat family, which is currently comprised of the Fiat 500C convertible, the standard Fiat 500 three-door hatchback, the sporty Fiat 500 Abarth, and the Fiat 500L MPV. Added to this list is the recently announced 500L minivan (mentioned above), which will begin production at the brand’s Kragujevac, Serbia plant for the North American market next year and Europe in September.

Production of the 500X will begin in December 2013 at the Miraflorini, Turin plant in Italy. The 500X is based on the Punto subcompact and will be longer than any other Fiat 500 model at 165.4 inches in length. Front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive variants are expected. The company is pumping billions of dollars for expansion costs into the Miraflorini plant to accommodate the additional 280-thousand vehicles it will produce of the new model each year. There’s also a battery-powered Fiat 500 Elettra model in the works, which is currently testing at several locations across the United States.

As far as power is concerned, the new 500X will likely feature two gasoline engines (TwinAir and 1.4-liter), as well as a turbodisel engine(1.3 MultiJet II) in Europe, while North America will receive a single 1.4-liter Multiair engine. However, this engine could produce more horsepower than the standard 101 hp and 98 lb.-ft. of torque that the current 500 achieves.

Reviewitonline.net also has received news that a new Jeep model will be built alongside of this stylish, rugged new crossover. The new model is code named the B-SUV 500X SUV and will be much smaller than the current Jeep Compass and Jeep Patriot. Production of this vehicle is slated to begin in the second half of 2014, and it will be sold in several global markets, including Europe and the U.S. The Jeep model will differ from the Fiat in that it will come with additional premium features and will be trail-rated.

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