- The Fiat Ellezero, a subcompact crossover, will debut at the Geneva auto show.
- On sale in Europe in the second half of 2012, the Ellezero is expected to come to the U.S. in 2013.
- The Ellezero will be built in Serbia.
LONDON — The next new Fiat bound for the U.S. will be a small crossover code-named Ellezero (L0). It is due to appear in Europe in mid-2012, after its debut at the Geneva auto show, and should reach the States as a 2013 model.
Likely to be the smallest crossover on sale in the U.S., the Ellezero's styling will have clear links to the rounded look of the Fiat 500, and will share its 1.4-liter gasoline engine.
The B-segment Ellezero reportedly will be offered in five- and seven-passenger variants. It is said to be built on Fiat's SUSW (Small U.S. Wide) platform, which also will underpin a new compact Jeep crossover in the U.S., as well as replacements overseas for the Fiat Punto and Palio.
In Europe, the Ellezero will compete with such entries as the Ford B-Max and the Opel Meriva.
The Ellezero will be built at Fiat's Serbian factory, which formerly belonged to Zastava, maker of the ill-starred, Fiat-based Yugo.
Inside Line says: The Ellezero could prove as distinctive and provocative an offering as the Scion xB and the Kia Soul.
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ny3uvl714 says:
06:54 PM, 01/11/2012
Fiat needs to pull forward the Ellezero's American introduction to coincide with Europe's release date.
The 500 needs a showroom companion like yesterday!
nimailni says:
11:20 PM, 01/03/2012
I like the sporty look! I hope it will sell well here.
openeyes1 says:
11:02 AM, 01/03/2012
@noobnox; This vehicle is more like a "crossover" than most fat, heavy and bad handling SUV's that are labeled as such. The term is used in Europe to describe "cars" that offer higher ground clearance, and AWD for better all weather handling.
hondaman1 says:
11:01 AM, 01/03/2012
The Fiat Ellezero is truely hideous. Sergio Marchioni, please do yourself and Chrysler a favor and leave that ugly excuse for a crossover in Europe. That vehicle is truely a ZERO. It will never sell well here, just like the Fiat 500. You have to build cars from the initial designs, to fit the American market. Not just throw in some safety features and a few cosmetic touches and ship them over here as a after-thought. It wont work, you are wasting your time, money, and the patience of your prospective customers. Sergio, take a look at the competition, take a view and get a clue.
sailorbeavis says:
09:21 PM, 01/02/2012
I just finish defending the Panda in another thread on this site and then read this is what Fiat wants to sell here, instead of the Panda. I'll second others' opinions - what is this a crossover of? A hatchback and a hamster cage? (Oh wait. Kia already did that.)
The Italians make very good wines, but very poor marketing decisions. Next thing you'll tell me is that Chrysler plans to introduce a FIAT 500 clone called the "LeBaron".
fbq says:
06:47 PM, 01/02/2012
Just bring the PANDA all wheel drive to America
veryhrm says:
04:31 PM, 01/02/2012
i'm with urbanxj and noobnox on this... Unless those headlights are actually 18" in diameter and the wheels are actually 20" the thing is tiny and has no ground clearance.
What is this thing crossing over from and to ? It's a small hatchback; the same size as a golf or a mini... big whoop. 7 passengers ? More like 2 people and 5 bags of groceries.
Anyway, it looks more practical than the 500 so that's something.
alaskanroads says:
04:00 PM, 01/02/2012
Love it! Bring Euro cars and designs here. All for it!. I hope they sell this thing with AWD *Fingers Crossed*..
noobnox says:
02:15 PM, 01/02/2012
How is this thing in any way, shape or form a "crossover" as we know it? A crossover from what is my question..
urbanxj says:
02:09 PM, 01/02/2012
I'd like you know how Fiat plans to fit 7, let alone 5 fat american's into this thing.