Fiat has taken the wraps off a brand new SUV, a first for the Italian brand in a really long time. Internally codenamed Project 363, this new SUV has been specifically developed for emerging markets like South America. The Fiat Project 363 has been under development for quite some time but interestingly, Fiat hasn't yet confirmed the marketing name for this new SUV. Currently, it's simply called the SuvFiat because the company is holding an online poll where it has invited fans to choose the final name. Options include - Tuo, Domo, and Pulse. The name with the highest vote will become the badge on the new Fiat compact SUV.
In terms of styling, this new Fiat compact
SUV carries the same design language that was seen on other newer Fiat models
like the Argo and the Strada. The SUV boasts of an upright nose with wide
wraparound headlamps flanking a rather large grille with a big Fiat logo in the
centre. The front bumper features deep set, triangular fog lamp housing at each
end along with a large central air dam. The SUV features a prominent chin with heavy
body cladding that also runs across the entire body. The front bumper also
features a rugged-looking faux silver skid plate that further adds to the SUV
appeal.
In profile, the compact SUV looks
relatively clean and simple. There's a strong character line that runs from the
front fender to meet the taillights at the rear. The body cladding along the
door sills continue to lend an SUV-character. The window line has an upwards
kink near the C-pillar and with higher-spec variants to be offered in dual-tone
color options, it creates a beautiful floating roof effect. At the rear, the
SUV gets sleek and stylish LED tail lamps, a well sculpted boot lid and black
cladding on the bumper. The faux exhaust tips could, however, have been done
away with. The carmaker hasn't revealed the interior of the SUV yet.
Under the hood, the Fiat compact SUV will
be powered by a direct injection 1.0L three-cylinder engine turbo-petrol engine
that's capable of producing 128 hp. The engine will come mated to an
Aisin-sourced CVT gearbox. Additionally, there will also be a 1.3L turbo petrol
engine, the same that does duty on the South American-spec Jeep Compass and is
also set to be introduced in the upcoming three-row Jeep SUV in some markets.
Lower-spec versions of the Project 363 will be offered with a 1.3L naturally
aspirated petrol engine that's capable of producing 109hp.
