Filed under: Crossovers/CUVs, FIAT

Anything you can do, I can do better. That seems to be the strategy over at the Fiat group vis-à-vis the MINI, which the Italian automaker has attacked from two flanks with the popular little 500 and the up-market Alfa MiTo. As we've reported previously, Fiat is said to be preparing a whole batch of variants of the 500, including two different convertibles and a wagon. Reports now indicate that, with MINI hard at work on its crossover and the Clubman already on the market, Fiat is preparing to strike back with an all-wheel-drive version of the 500 wagon.

Tentatively known as the Giardiniera, reviving the classic nameplate of the original, the 500 wagon would likely borrow the all-wheel-drive system from the Panda 4x4 which shares the same platform as the 500. The bean-counters in Turin are still reportedly deliberating over the project, but if approved, Fiat is anticipated to produce little over 30,000 unites annually. Whether the 4WD 500 wagon would wear the same bodywork as the existing model or the front-drive wagon, however, remains to be seen.

Gallery: Fiat 500



[Source: Motor Authority]
Garden Variety: Fiat preparing 500 crossover originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 Dec 2008 19:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.


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