The successor is overdue.
A 5-door version of the Fiat 500, likely to be called Fiat 500 Plus, has been rendered by Auto.it. The car, as can be seen in the picture, benefits from the added rear doors, and will eventually replace the 10-year old Punto, as previous reports suggest.
Fiat has been successful in showcasing the 500 platform's capabilities ranging from a 2-door city car to the larger 5-door, 7-seater 500L MPV and in between, the 500X crossover.
In the roadmap unveiled last year, Fiat said it will launch the next generation Punto towards the end of 2017. A media report from May 2014 said the new Punto would be based on the 'New Global Small' platform and be positioned between the 3,545 mm three-door 500 and the 4,150 mm 500L MPV.
The report added that the plant in Tychy, Poland, would make the car and 96 percent of the produce would be exported.
Also read: Kevin Flynn appointed as head of Fiat Chrysler India
Fiat launched the facelift of the Punto, dubbed Punto Evo, in India last year, and a new crossover version Fiat Avventura was added to the range, as well. Both cars, sporting styling cues specific to the Indian market, manage about 800 units per month.
Competitors: Maruti Swift, VW Polo, Hyundai Elite i20, Honda Jazz
Expected Price: INR 4.5-7 lakhs, ex-Showroom
[Source - Auto.it]
