A Motorbash reader has spied the Fiat Avventura crossover while it was testing in Pune, Maharashtra. The Avventura was world premiered at the 2014 Auto Expo last month, and will launch in India later this year. Strangely, the mule spotted here does not feature roof rails, a must-have feature for a crossover or pseudo-crossover.
The Avventura is basically a Fiat Punto with rough road add-ons. The headlights are heavily redesigned and look nothing like the Punto, while the rear of the Avventura gets an externally mounted spare wheel.
These design highlights, combined with new bumpers with plastic cladding, an increased ground clearance, larger alloy wheels and an enriched interior, will differentiate the Avventura from the Punto.
The diesel engine powering the Avventura will be the 1.3-liter Multijet, which, depending on the state of tune, can produce either 75 PS or 90 PS. Fiat has the option of using 1.2- and 1.4-liter engines to power the petrol variants of the Avventura, though using the 1.4-liter engine will effectively classify it as a 'mid-size' car, thereby pushing up the taxes.
The Avventura is one of three new Fiat models that will launch in India this year, the other models being the Abarth 500 and a refreshed Fiat Punto. When launched, the Avventura will compete with the VW Cross Polo and the Toyota Etios Cross (bookings for which are ongoing).
Fiat Avventura Rivals
[Images from Motorbash]
