The 500X, which is intended to take on such cars as the Nissan Juke and MINI Countryman in the ‘lifestyle’ soft-roader market, follows well-established ‘soft-roader’ themes in its appearance. A neat design which does without the excesses of the just-launched 500L mini-MPV, it incorporates typical SUV aesthetics, including a raised ride height, and black plastic cladding around the lower bumpers, side sills and wheelarches.

The 500X is a crucial part of Fiat’s plan to leverage the 500 ‘brand’ as a marketable entity, in a similar fashion to that achieved by BMW’s MINI brand. Part of this plan involves the establishment of a clear family theme across the various 500 models, which in the 500X’s case, are strongly represented in its front and rear styling, which closely correlate to those of the best-selling 500 hatchback.

The 500X will replace the Giugiaro-styled Sedici, a compact SUV produced since 2005 in a joint venture with Suzuki. Under that arrangement, Suzuki was predominantly responsible for engineering the Sedici and its own version, the SX4, along with their production in Hungary; Fiat’s input was confined mostly to the supply of its diesel expertise.

However, with the Chrysler alliance giving them control of the Jeep brand, Fiat has elected instead to pursue an internal route for the 500X, which will share its underpinnings with a new B-segment entry-level Jeep. These underpinnings will, like the 500L, be the widened version of the Punto’s floorplan known as SUSW (‘Small US Wide’). It will also utilise Fiat’s well-proven engines, including the 1.4 FIRE MultiAir and 1.3 MultiJet diesel. Front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive will be offered.

Yet while Fiat has indicated that it intends to build the 500X at its Mirafiori plant in Turin, there remains considerable doubt about the future of the complex – especially given Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne’s recent comments that Fiat may close another of its Italian factories. Taken together with Marchionne’s desire to take on Italian unions, this comment immediately re-focused attention on the sprawling Mirafiori complex, which remains one of Fiat’s largest – albeit currently most under-utilised – plants. The rumours have been stirred further with a Polish newspaper last week reporting that the 500X’s Jeep counterpart would, in fact, be produced in Poland and Mexico. If this plan took shape, it would inevitably see the plan to produce the 500X shifted to either of these plants.

Moreover, while the temptation for Fiat – deprived of new metal – to tease the 500X clearly proved overwhelming, it is also a significant risk. This crucial model remains at least 18 months away from showrooms, and the Jeep version is not due to begin production until at least 2014. With the appearance of the 500X now splashed across the web, it remains to be seen how Fiat will sustain interest in the car until, and following, its introduction.