The spy photographers have now spotted the Tipo SW Cross jacked-up
estate testing in the Alps. This likely means Fiat will give the Cross
treatment to at least two of the facelifted Tipo’s three body styles – as of
now, we have no proof that the Tipo sedan will also be available in Cross
guise.
As with the Tipo Cross hatch spotted on
the streets of Turin, Italy two months ago, the Tipo SW Cross features
camouflaged wheel arches and side sills, leading us to believe they will
feature plastic body cladding to make them look wider and more rugged.
Besides the cladding, the Tipo SW Cross is
in for other exterior upgrades including more rugged-looking bumpers, dedicated
wheels and, obviously, a higher ground clearance. Add to that the updates
brought by the facelift of the Tipo range, which will include a new grille as
well as new headlights with LED DRLs integrated in the upper part and
taillights with revised graphics. On the inside, the 2021 Fiat Tipo should gain
an updated infotainment system, probably with a larger display, as well as
minor upholstery and trim changes.
Fiat is also expected to make some changes
under the hood by introducing the new Firefly family of 1.0-liter
three-cylinder and 1.3-liter four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engines to the
Tipo lineup. A mild-hybrid powertrain is said to be in the cards as well. As
for the diesels, reports from Italy claim that only the 1.6-liter MultiJet will
carry over. Regardless of the powertrain, all Fiat Tipo models will remain
FWD-only. The facelifted Fiat Tipo, including the new Cross variants, is expected
to debut in early fall 2020.