Fiat 500X bodywork uncovered

Images showing the bodywork of Fiat’s upcoming 500X SUV have surfaced online, providing a few more clues as to how the compact SUV will look.

Clearly at an early stage in the production line, only part of the bodywork is in place, however the overall shape is easier to make out than on the heavily disguised 500X we caught testing on the road earlier this month.

As you can see, the bonnet is longer and less curved than the Fiat 500, although the family resemblance will be maintained by overlarge rounded headlights – which will be accommodated by cut outs in the front fascia metalwork.

Taken at Fiat’s factory in Melfi, Italy, these photographs also show sculpted lines running along the lower flanks, as well as bulging wheel arches - like on the 500L MPV.

This common design language is hardly surprising. Not only does it further link Fiat’s new SUV to the 500 range, but both the X and L variants are built on Fiat-Chrysler’s ‘Small Wide’ platform.

The 500X’s sister car, the Jeep Renegade, is underpinned by this chassis as well, and can be seen in the background of these pictures on a separate production line. It’s unlikely to be the only resemblance between the co-developed cars, with similar engine line-ups also expected – including a 2.0-litre diesel with either 136bhp or 165bhp.

Although the uncaptioned pictures are not official, we’re fairly certain they’re the real deal, given they appeared in slideshows used to outline the FCA’s five-year product plan.

Squirreled away in a separate presentation was yet another revealing image, showing what appears to be the official 500X badge. The rather conventional 500L-inspired design was leaked earlier this year, but it’s now clear the colour scheme will follow the same pattern, too.

An official debut at the Paris Motor Show in October is possible, with the 500X set to go on sale toward the end of the year.