A test mule of the Fiat Avventura has been snapped without any camouflage. As predicted before, the spy shots show that Fiat has stayed true to the design of the concept and the production version of the Avventura will retain many of the design cues of the concept, which made it look so intimidating. The Fiat Avventura concept was unveiled at the 2014 Delhi Auto Expo and the production version is expected to be launched later this year.
The Avventura is essentially a Punto hatchback with lots of plastic cladding and other tweaks which give it the rugged appeal of a crossover. The spy shots show that Fiat has retained the stylish front bashguard from the concept as well as the smoked headlamps with projector units. The production version has ditched the LED fog lamps and DRLs in favour of regular bulbs, though it might be offered as an optional extra. The front grille has been redesigned and embeds a honeycomb pattern.
The Avventura is expected to get three engine options, a 1.3-litre MultiJet diesel, 1.4-litre and a 1.2-litre petrol, also borrowed from the Punto. While the 1.4-litre T-Jet engine produces 89bhp and 115Nm of torque, the economy-focused 1.2-litre unit produces 67bhp and 97Nm of torque. The MultiJet diesel engine is good for 75bhp and 197Nm of torque, though Fiat might just tune it up to 90bhp and 209Nm of torque.
As the Avventura is based on the Punto hatchback, this car also hints at what the front of the Punto facelift, which is also due to be launched this year, will look like. Though the hatchback will lose out on the bashguard, we expect it to retain the new grille and the headlamps.
The Fiat Avventura will go up against other hatchback-based crossovers in the market like Volkswagen Cross Polo and the recently launched Toyota Etios Cross. Being based on hatchbacks, these crossovers are not very expensive to develop and manufacture, though car makers get the liberty to charge an extra premium over the regular hatchbacks. This might have encouraged Fiat to take the gamble of pitting a new contender in the segment, which doesn’t seem to be doing very well.
