The new Suzuki 'B' Crossover/SUV has finally come out into the open - almost completely undisguised - offering careful pointers as to how Fiat's soon-to-be-unveiled version of the same car will look. The two 'off road' models, which will be produced side-by-side at Suzuki's Hungary factory (in Esztergom, near Budapest) will be mechanically identical, differentiated only by their cosmetic, family 'brand' appearance.

For both Suzuki and Fiat, this new Crossover will see them effectively entering a new niche. Suzuki (who currently codename their version 'New B') will position their new contender between the current Ignis and Grand Vitara models, while the Fiat branded variant - the Sedici  - or 'sixteen' (a word play on 4x4) - sees them make a very long overdue jump into the 'fun' small 4x4 segment. While the new model is yet another 'lifestyle' vehicle which cashes in on the European car buyer's current appetite for perceived 'off road' vehicles, it has been carefully designed to be a practical car that is a worthy all rounder, with excellent handling, ride, and performance, being promised.

Suzuki are the acknowledged engineering leaders in the 'small' 4x4 sector, and so they have used their expertise to develop the four wheel drive system and chassis that the Fiat Sedici will use. The Italians have weighed into the equation by providing their technologically-advanced Multijet family of diesel engines. The Suzuki is revealed as offering a 1.9-litre JTD with 120bhp and 280Nm of torque, while their 1.6-litre petrol version will have 107bhp and 145 Nm of torque. Power will be transferred through either a manual 6-speed or a 4-stage automatic gearbox.

Two and four wheel drive formats will be offered (the 4wd system is optional, able to switch to 2wd at the flick of a dashboard positioned switch) and this all wheel drive system sits neatly with Fiat Auto's policy of making this propulsion available across their range. At present Fiat have the very popular Panda 4x4, and an Idea 4x4 (presented as a fully working concept - the Idea 5Terre - at recent motor shows) awaiting the green light for production.
 

Meanwhile further up the scale, Fiat's 'sporty' brand Alfa Romeo, have embedded 4x4 traction into their new Alfa 159 sedan and Brera sportscar.

The Suzuki 'New B' Crossover is 4.10 metres long, with a width of 1.73 metres, and a height of 1.60 metres. While Suzuki are presenting a more 'sedate' image with their version (pictured here), Fiat's Sedici will be much more aggressive and purposeful looking, the bigger bumpers and chunky wheel arch, door and sill mouldings, all helping to swell these dimensions mildly. Quattroroute magazine recently unveiled sketches of the Fiat Sedici, which will draw inspirational 'family' styling cues from the Frankfurt IAA-bound 'New Punto'. 205/60 tyres fitted to 16-in alloy wheels are expected to be standard for the Suzuki, although Fiat are likely to offer an optional 17-in alloy wheel. The Suzuki 'New B' presents - in the flesh - very rakish lines which rise quickly upwards to end in a tall, rear tail which squeezes every inch of space out of its frame to give the the car an excellent 300 litres of luggage capacity.

Fiat were pressing towards a Frankfurt 'World Premier', but both the Sedici and Suzuki's 'New B' are now expected not to arrive until the 76th Geneva Salon, next March. This will tie in with a major promotional campaign to be centered around the XX Winter Olympics, which take place in Turin next year, offering Fiat a chance to demonstrate their car's abilities, in icy conditions, and under the full glare of the spotlights.

Fiat are very late entrants into the fashionable 'lifestyle' SUV market. Despite the ground they have to make up, there is a quiet confidence exuding from Turin that the Sedici is an excellent product, and will be a very strong player in its niche.