2017 Fiat X500 – X Marks The Spot!

A few months ago, we featured an article about a small and sassy legend, the 2016 Fiat F500.

We defined the F500 as a piece of art, something as feminine as curves and red lipstick. We also said it has very strong character and captures the Italian style and charisma that inspired it. The 2016 F500 is a re-incarnation of the legendary F500 of 1957 to 1975.

This new generation F500 inspired new market entrants such as the Opel Adam, VW UP and Audi A1, and lately it has inspired a sibling, the X 500 – a hatch/SUV crossover. With the market frenzy leaning towards SUVs, any carmaker not headed in that direction would be doing themselves an injustice. Fiat went for more space and all weather, hence the X500 SUV/hatch crossover.

I think it’s inappropriate to call the X500 an F500 derivative because it’s much bigger and more complete than the F500 in every sense; they are two different cars on different platforms. This week, we drove the X500 and had the opportunity to familiarise ourselves with it.

Built at Fiat’s Melfi plant in Italy, the X500 comes in three derivatives; the more urban Pop Star, the off-road biased Cross and the Cross Plus which is the most athletic of the bunch.

Looking at the current Fiat product portfolio which includes the Abrath, Panda, Punto, Qubo, Doblo, F500, X500 and L500, each of these has a sub list of derivatives. Fiat seems to be out to reclaim the top spot and they are making small cars to fill every small car need and sub segments just like they once did. Indeed, few cars fit this small car segment as well as the Fiats do.

Though gentle in appearance and having a jellybean or bubble aura, the X500 is a fashion statement. Its inspiration, the F500, is clearly feminine but the X500 sits on the unisex fence if we talk gender. The X500 enters the market with a bold approach centered on innovation functionality and Italian flair. Fiat designers took the F500 and added more space, utility, driver centric amenities, capability advanced safety and security features.

Fiat has a legacy of being a high-tech carmaker and the X500 is not exempt. They are designed to have low fuel consumption while maintaining top notch performance, other exploits include; Fiat was the first to produce a direct injection diesel engine for a passenger car. Fiat began its green movement in the 80s producing natural gas and electric cars and by 1990, Fiat introduced the Panda which is the world’s first mass produced electric vehicle.

Fiat also introduced the Tetra fuel system SDE and multi-jet, technologies which allow fuel to be mixed in the same tank. It’s also worth noting that Fiat introduced Italy’s first jet (aircraft), the G.80.

Entering the interior, quality is evident in its fine stitching and its leather/cloth seats, even in places like buttons and dials. The dash and centre console looks and feels solid. Throughout the interior, it’s evident Fiat values simplicity as only a few buttons and dials are in plain sight. The X500 has all the necessary basics to aid sitting and comfort, especially heated seats and steering.

Infotainment features on the X500 include a 6.5-inch ‘U connect’ infotainment display, a DAB radio, Aux-in and USB slots, bluetooth, TomTom integrated sat-nav with 3D mapping and traffic data. You are also connected to social media connectivity through the ‘U connect’ system. It also has voice command and Wi-Fi .

Driving about in Windhoek, the first and strongest impression I got is that Fiat has graduated and gone a couple notches up in the market, they are not the Fiats we knew. I have also come to learn that carmakers grow in their phases, they are not static. Fiat has grown in stature to be positioned where they are today. The Fiat X500 feels as good as any small crossover and beats many of the ‘big boys’.

In its engine bay is a 160 hp 1.4 multi-air turbo that powers its front wheels churning 184 lb torque which allows it to sprint from 0-100 kph in 7.8 seconds. The X500 shares the same platform with the Jeep Renegade and engines as well. Its power is regulated by either a six-speed manual or a ZF nine-speed auto.

Prior to the test drive, I thought it would feel as peppy and as connected to the exterior but it’s more insulated and of a far better build than I expected. Your peace of mind is enhanced to know about its array of safety features which includes: driver and passenger airbag, side and rear head airbags, rear body airbags, knee airbags, ESC, blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning, daytime running lights, night vision parking assist, rear view cam, panic button on key and remote start, to mention a few.

Some recent experiences have led me to think that anything made in Italy is superb, artistic and charming. For the test drive, I shelved this notion and found it truly impressive with adequate power, perhaps these are the fruits of the Fiat-Chrysler merger… It’s certainly a neat piece of work and an amusing car to boot.

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