The New Fiat 500X Sport makes its debut at the "Luigi Ridolfi" Federal Technical Centre in Coverciano (FIorence), a centre of excellence for teaching, training and sport, as well as the historic seat of the Italian Football Federation. The FIGC Federation headquarters was chosen to honour the 20-year cooperation between the Fiat brand and the Federation, as well as to express the shared values uniting the new Fiat 500X Sport with sport in general. What better location could there be for displaying "in the field" the qualities of dynamism, precision, control and Italian style highlighted in this new version... the same characteristics that lead a player to wear the blue jersey of Italy with pride and joy. The new "spearhead", top of the range version of the renewed 500X family, offers greater performance, thanks to its new technical features offering even more agility, safety and pleasure. Thus was born an extraordinary sporting crossover, which fulfils its maximum performance expression with the new FireFly Turbo 1.3 engine delivering 150 HP of power and 270 Nm of torque, a benchmark in its segment, combined with a new suspension setting, a closer height from the ground, plus a new steering system calibration, 19" wheels with high-performance tires and a sportier look. 500X Sport, the sporting crossover that didn't exist until now.
Luca Napolitano, Head of EMEA Fiat and Abarth brand said: "Like the national football team, the 500X is designed and engineered in Italy and built in the FCA factory in Melfi, and it is prepared to be able to play all over the world, to the point where - together with the iconic 500 - it has become the most global model in the Fiat range. Launched in 2014 and renewed last year, the 500X is the leader in its segment in Italy and has consistently been in the top 10 in Europe, as well as having notched up the highest growth outside Italy: +12%. The 500X has been produced in over 500,000 units. Not to mention that it is also the Fiat model which more than any other conquers new customers from other brands or segments, thanks to its versatility, its ample interior space and its innate ability to adapt to all uses, surfaces and driving styles.
And so the fates of Fiat and FIGC intertwine once more: two global symbols of Made in Italy that share the same sporting and human values - such as passion, energy and emotion - which have seen them travel together for over a century of Italy's social, cultural and industrial evolution. Among other things, this year both entities celebrate the 120th anniversary of their foundation: a milestone in both the automotive and sporting sectors. And last June, on these "solid pillars", the renewal was signed, for another four years, of a sponsorship dating from 2000: the Fiat brand will remain Top Partner and Official Car of the Azzurri, Italy's international soccer team, thus continuing its adventure on the playing field.
But along with the 500X Sport, the other members of the renewed range will also be playing, including the outstanding new 500X Lounge, featuring a rich array of standard equipment and a refined style identity, both inside and outside the passenger compartment.
500X Sport: after Urban and Cross, the model makes its debut on the new "field" of Sport
The 500X conquered the market with its Urban and Cross versions, which reflect its dual soul. The urban version is more metropolitan, technological and connected, as expressed perfectly by the recent S-Design, Mirror and 120° special series, while the more crossover version enjoys pleasant adventures outside the city. Today the 500X changes pace and accelerates onto a different playing field, that of sportsmanship, presenting itself as an alternative to compact C-segment cars with a sporty look. This is a growing market segment that is worth more than 500,000 units per year in Europe. And in perfect 500 style, this Fiat brand proposal is a new more attacking version of the 500X, beautiful to look at and thrilling to drive. To achieve this goal, Fiat engineers carried out the equivalent of what a sports "athletic trainer" would have done, following a special "training programme" to increase the sporting prowess of the 500X. So, further significant and carefully focused tuning interventions on driving dynamics, steering precision and suspension have been carried out, making driving even more emotional. Simultaneously, various modifications towards more specifically sporting design elements, plus the new exclusive Red Seduction livery, have made the 500X Sport perfect for a young, dynamic customer attracted by a sporty style with a strong personality.
Driving dynamics, precision and control create new levels of performance and safety
The new 500X Sport presents several important technical innovations intended to boost dynamism, driving precision and control. In particular, the new top-of-the-range version features an exclusive sports-style suspension with a 13 mm reduction in height from the ground compared to the Urban and Cross versions, and the option - on request - of new 225/40 tyres with sports-level performance and 19" alloy wheels with a special design. This all results in a more aggressive car, with better ground adherence and guaranteed safety and dynamism... a bit like what one would expect from a powerful centre-forward who is also highly agile in the penalty area.
Power must provide precision and perfect balance, and in the automotive field this means greater precision and driving comfort. This is why we have acted even more radically with the most powerful engine in the range: a high performing 1.3 FireFly Turbo 150 HP, combined with a DCT automatic transmission. For example, the steering system calibration has been adjusted to return a more precise and reactive feedback to the driver. As well as this, specific adjustments of the shock absorbers and the front and rear suspensions - using FSD (Frequency Selective Damping) technology - mean that the 150 HP Sport 500X guarantees greater road holding, even at high speeds, as well as extraordinary manoeuvrability and total safety... all without compromising comfort. Thanks to all these technical features and its 19" sports tires, the gritty 500X Sport 1.3 FireFly 150 HP DCT generates an 8% increase in lateral acceleration - compared to the 500X Cross with equal engine and 18" tires - and this translates into a significant improvement in road holding and a substantial increase in active safety. The new suspension tuning greatly enhances responsiveness at curve entry, reducing understeer by 26%, and oversteer, in extreme conditions, by 17%. In short, so armed, the new 500X Sport fears no comparisons in its segment, and generates dynamic emotion in driving.
A new Italian beauty that seduces with sportiness and refinement
Fiat 500X, like the iconic 500, brings with it all the Italian beauty that, in terms of style and elegance, has always fascinated the world. Likewise, the thrilling play of the Italian national football team keeps millions of spectators glued to the screens every time it takes the field. And as the national team's blue jersey belongs to the collective imagination of Italy, so the 500X Sport "pulls on" its new Red Seduction livery - exclusive to this version - highlighting the car's dynamic lines. The special red "team kit" is then embellished with a long series of titanium grey details on the handles, the specially designed inserts on the front bumper, the front moulding, the rear-view mirror caps and the door handle with the "500" logo in a refined Myron treatment. The marked assertiveness of the exterior is achieved through the many sporting elements offered as standard: these include the side skirts and the arches over the body-coloured wheels; the diffuser-style rear bumper; the dual chrome exhaust - designed exclusively for this Fiat model - and the Full LED lighting systems that provide 160% more power than halogens but with reduced energy consumption. The Full LED headlights are coupled with LED fog lamps, creating a homogeneous and sporty light signature. All "certified" by the Sport badge on the front fender. And for those who want to further boost the power look, on request it's possible to fit special Sport tires with 19" alloy wheels and glossy black hubcap (the special 18" rims are standard). In addition to the exclusive Red Seduction colour, other livery options include Gelato White, Moda Grey and Italian Blue (all of which can be combined with a black roof for a suggestive two-tone exterior), plus Cinema Black.
By the end of the year, new 19-inch wheels will be available, with a sporty look developed by Mopar, the brand dedicated to assistance, spare parts and customer support for FCA vehicles. They are distinguished by their personalisation possibilities: each wheel, for instance, can accommodate a set of 5 possible inserts - in the colours Matte Bronze, Miron, Dark Miron, Copper and Titanium. These can also be mounted by the customer or by the dealer thanks to a simple clip (a visit to the dealer is only required for disassembly). The novelty will enrich the already ample collection of Authentic Accessories supplied by Mopar specially for the 500X Sport.
The same sporty and elegant style of the exterior is also found in the interior of this new top-of-the-range version. This is demonstrated by the dark shade for the imperial and the front uprights; the specific TFT graphics of the instrument panel and its red elements; the aluminium gear-knob; the techno-leather sports steering wheel, cut underneath; the dashboard in titanium grey; and the detailing in Myron with finishing in Red Seduction. On request, you can equip your 500X Sport with a precious Alcantara covering for the sporty silhouetted steering wheel and the instrument panel cover, a touch of sporting elegance unique in this segment, featuring hand-crafted red stitching. The interior is completed by new exclusive seats in black fabric with vinyl inserts and a grey "500" logo, the black vinyl bezel and special stitching in grey and red. On request, however, you can have the seats upholstered in black leather with titanium grey finishing, in addition to the sporty aluminium pedals and the front mats with personalised stitching.
As well as being outstandingly sporty, the new 500X boasts a rich technological assortment that offers highly innovative driving assistance systems as standard, including "Traffic Sign Recognition", "Speed Advisor" and "Lane Assist", the automatic lane maintenance system. And to make any journey more comfortable, also standard are the Uconnect 7" system, with satellite navigator, predisposed for Apple CarPlay and with Android Auto compatibility; as does automatic climate control, Cruise Control with speed limiter. Completing the equipment are the rear parking sensors and the electric parking brake.
Finally, to meet any mobility need, the new 500X Sport can be equipped with all the engines in the range, combined with front-wheel drive. In more detail, two FireFly Turbo petrol engines are available: a 1.0 with 120 HP and six-speed manual gearbox, and a 1.3 with 150 HP and six-speed DCT dual-clutch automatic transmission (plus steering wheel controls on request). Also available are two Multijet turbo-diesels: a 1.3 with 95 HP combined with a five-speed manual transmission and a 1.6 with 120 HP and six-speed manual transmission or an automatic dual-clutch DCT six-speed gearbox (steering wheel controls on request).
The entire new 500X range enters the playing field as a star player
Hand in hand with the new 500X Sport, the new 500X Lounge also makes its debut: a refined version rich in content, unlikely to pass unnoticed on city streets. On the outside, it features body-coloured mirror caps and 16" alloy wheels, as well as DRL daytime running lights and LED rear lights. It's especially refined inside, as can be seen in the techno-leather steering wheel and the front armrest. Sophisticated and metropolitan, therefore, the 500X Lounge is also highly comfortable thanks to its rich standard equipment including the innovative 7" HD LIVE touchscreen Uconnect system with DAB digital radio, Apple CarPlay integration and Android AutoTM compatibility. The standard equipment is completed by front and rear parking sensors, invaluable for protecting the bumpers during parking, and the rain and twilight sensors which provide an additional driving aid. Novelties also for the 500X Cross, the first car in its segment to offer 19'' wheels with "tall and narrow" tires that ensure improved aerodynamics and a consequent reduction in fuel consumption, CO2 emissions and noise. The City Cross and Urban versions complete the range: the first is the ideal solution for anyone looking for a car with a cross appearance; the second enables them to immediately start driving the Fiat crossover, at an affordable price.
The new communication campaign with Buzz the mosquito is on the air
The new 500X Sport has such an intensely sporty and impressive character that it seduces at first sight. That's exactly what happens to the other protagonist of the spot, the mosquito Buzz, who "will humorously accompany" the launch of the new top-of-the-range version. A chance encounter on a scenic road just outside the city, and Buzz is immediately seduced by the car's charisma: through the enamoured mosquito's eyes we discover its irresistible features and the dynamic attitude that makes it both sensual and overwhelmingly assertive. The mosquito Buzz, literally enraptured by such beauty, hovers in front of its object of desire. Love at first sight becomes, for our mosquito, an unexpected - and harmless - bump against the car's headlights.
Created by the Leo Burnett creative agency in Turin, the spot was shot by Federico Brugia for Movie Magic, while Buzz's design and animation was created by the Belgian company Nozon.
As from September 9th the communication campaign will be progressively aired in Italy, France, Germany, Spain, Great Britain, Austria, Belgium, Hungary, Greece, Holland, Poland and Switzerland.
The Sport family grows: the new 500L Sport arrives as well
Simultaneously with the debut of the 500X Sport, the new Sport version of the 500L also makes its debut: a top-of-the-range version of the model renovated in 2017 to offer more technology and connectivity to modern families. Sportiness with a gritty look, in other words, characterises the new 500L Sport which introduces an innovative two-tone livery in opaque Moda Grey with a glossy Black roof. To make it even more gritty there's a long series of specific details, such as the skid plate bumpers in Diabolik Black; matt black 17" alloy wheels with a black hubcap and a red insert; the side sills matching the body colour while the mirror caps and the rear headlight frames come in brushed Titanium. The exterior of the new 500L Sport is completed by privacy glass and the Sport logo on the fender. The same sporting personality is clear in the passenger compartment too, dominated by new seats with their central area in black Denim technoprene fabric with red stitching and 500 logo, plus a silver manual gear shift knob, and the dashboard with a matt grey effect and red 500 logo. Standard equipment includes: cruise control, ambient light, rear parking sensors, automatic climate control, dusk and rain sensors and automatic braking system (Autonomous City Brake) which improves safety in city driving. The infotainment is entrusted to the Uconnect 7'' HD LIVE touchscreen system with 7'' DAB digital radio, Apple CarPlay integration and Android AutoTM compatibility.
So, in the wake of the S-Design, Mirror and 120° special series - which have already marked the evolution of the 500X - the 500L also expands with a Sport version, capable of satisfying modern families attracted by a dynamic style but unwilling to give up the extreme versatility and functionality of Made in Fiat design. The new 500L Sport completes the family of the same name inaugurated last year with the Tipo Sport 5-Door, the top-of-the-range version developed in collaboration with Mopar.
The new MY20 range will offer the 500L beginner version, the Mirror, the Cross and the new Sport. In more detail, the 500L Mirror will be available in all two-colour liveries - the only one to be able to mount a silver roof - and fitted as standard with Uconnect 7" HD LIVE touchscreen with 7'' DAB digital radio, Apple CarPlay integration and Android AutoTM compatibility. Space is also provided for the 500L Cross, which is now even richer in standard equipment, as shown by the Autonomous City Brake, rear parking sensors, automatic climate control and rain and dusk sensors.
And finally, the new 500L Wagon model completes both the Mirror and Lounge trim levels.
FCA Bank's financing solutions for the new Fiat 500 X Sport
FCA Bank, the captive bank of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and Crédit Agricole Consumer Finance, supports the sales of Fiat vehicles by providing a broad range of financing solutions to help Customers to purchase or lease their new Fiat 500 X Sport.
Anybody who wishes to drive a new 500 X Sport, more dynamic, fun and safe, can opt for one of the following products:
● Instalment Loan: Traditional financing that allows the buyer to pay for the vehicle over an extended period of time;
● Leasing and PCP (Personal Contract Purchase): Highly flexible solutions with low monthly payments and the possibility to choose, on the contract expiration date, whether to return, keep or replace the car with a new one;
● Private Lease: A solution for drivers who do not want to own the vehicle, with the ensuing costs and uncertainties, involving a single monthly payment inclusive of the main insurance, assistance and infomobility services for a peace-of-mind experience.
All of FCA Bank's solutions are intended not only for individuals but also for companies and independent professionals. In addition, Leasys, a subsidiary of FCA Bank, makes available long-term car rental solutions for a totally relaxed driving experience.
Moreover, FCA Bank provides a broad range of insurance products in combination with the financing contract, for both personal protection - such as Prestito Protetto, which ensures the repayment of part of the loan in case of sudden and unpredictable occurrences such as a job loss - and car protection.
The financing and insurance solutions described are available in most European countries where the companies of the FCA Bank Group operate. All the structures are extremely flexible, to meet in full local requirements.
