Fiat considering Fiat 500 SUV

Posted: Jul 09, 2007

Filed under: Fiat

Fiat is really hoping for the Fiat 500 to become a huge success. The Italian auto maker is getting ready to launch the Abarth performance version of the 500 later this year and hopes to have a convertible variant out next summer. But that’s not all Fiat has planned for its 500 lineup.

According to a Fiat executive who spoke with Automotive News Europe, Fiat is also working on a station wagon variant as well as an SUV using the four-wheel-drive system from the Fiat Panda.

“By the end of the year, we expect to decide on the 500 [wagon] and SUV,” a Fiat executive told Automotive News Europe.

Fiat has supposedly already shown a concept version of the wagon in a video shown at the media release of the 500 last week. They also showed a sketch of the Giolito, a pillar-less 500 convertible with a canvas top set to hit the European market next year.

The Abarth 500 will be launched with a 135hp turbo version of the 500’s 1.4-liter gasoline engine. Also in the works is a faster Abarth 500 SS (an abbreviation for Super Sport) with 155hp.

2008 Fiat 500 Gallery: