2016 is slated to be the year of the crossovers and Fiat has declared itself a challenger with the all new 2016 FIAT® 500X. The 500X promises to provide innovation, functionality and Italian style. FIAT says the 500X is a new and improved version of the 500 with designers and engineers taking the 500 and adding more space, utility, driver-centric amenities, capability and advanced safety and security features.

The FIAT 500X line also features five trim levels to allow consumers to choose their personal style. The FIAT 500X Street Series includes the Pop, Easy and Lounge models. Meanwhile, the FIAT 500X Trekking and Trekking Plus models feature a more athletic look.

Speaking with the Businessuite Magazine team during a recent launch of the Shaggy and Friends concert, Head of Brand Communications for North America, Susan Thompson, said the FIAT 500X can be thought of as a smaller SUV.

Emissions scandal
Meanwhile, Thompson says while the company finds the recent VW emissions scandal heartbreaking, it has not negatively impacted sales.

FIAT was among several brands which became embroiled in the emissions scandal, after they were found to emit higher levels of pollution in tests closer to real-life driving conditions than during EU emissions tests.

The emissions scandal began when it was revealed that Volkswagen was using illegal software in their cars that could manipulate emissions and cheat US governmental tests. The software could detect when the car was being tested and cause it to emit much lower NOx levels than it would usually emit during normal driving.

The CEO of Volkswagen, Martin Winterkorn, resigned after the scandal came to light, and the company is currently undergoing the recall of an estimated 11 million vehicles that contain the illegal.