Available from Q2, the Fiat 500X will be built in the updated SATA plant in Melfi, Italy and uses the same platform and drivetrain as the Renegade with a MacPherson rear suspension.

Two versions will be offered, one for urban drivers and one for more leisure-orientated buyers, along with a choice of 12 different body colours and eight different designs for the 16-, 17- and 18-inch alloy wheels to aid personalisation options.

The compact vehicle measures 4.25 metres in length (the more adventurous FIAT 500X is 2cm longer), 1.80 metres in width and 1.60 metres in height (1.61 with roof bars, 1.62 with 4WD) and offers a 350-litre luggage compartment. 

The engine range of the new FIAT 500X in EMEA countries comprises four petrol engines and three diesels. Front-wheel drive, petrol-powered models are either equipped with a 108bhp 1.6-litre "E-torQ" engine with a five-speed manual gearbox or a 138bhp 1.4-litre Turbo MultiAir II petrol engine with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed twin-clutch transmission. All-wheel drive petrol models, which are equipped with a new nine-speed automatic transmission as standard, are powered either by a 167bhp 1.4-litre Turbo MultiAir II engine or the 181bhp 2.4-litre Tigershark engine.

The front-wheel drive diesel range consists of the 93bhp 1.3-litre MultiJet II turbo diesel, equipped with a five-speed manual gearbox and the 118bhp 1.6-litre MultiJet II turbo diesel equipped with a six-speed manual gearbox.

The four-wheel drive diesel features the 136bhp, 2.0-litre MultiJet II turbo diesel, which will be available with a six-speed manual or nine-speed automatic transmission. All engine and transmission versions will be offered in the UK, with the exception of the 2.4-litre Tigershark unit.

All models offer the "Drive Mood Selector", which has three different modes – Auto, CO2 and All Weather – for engine, brakes, steering and gearbox/transmission settings.

On the more rugged version of the FIAT 500X, "All Weather" mode is replaced by the "Traction" function, which speeds up the transmission of torque to the rear axle on four-wheel drive versions or activates the "Traction Plus" control system on front wheel drive versions.

The FIAT 500X also features a 5.0- or 6.5-inch Uconnect colour touchscreen infotainment systems, which can be operated via steering wheel remote controls and voice commands.

Final specifications and pricing will be announced closer to the launch of the FIAT 500X in the UK.