A test mule of the Fiat Avventura has once again been spotted testing in India. 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 test mule was heavily camouflaged and gives us a glimpse of just the rear of the car. The car retains the vertical tail lamp assembly and looks like a revised cluster of the Punto’s. The rear tailgate has a spare wheel mounted on it while the lower part of the bumper integrates reverse lights and fog lamps like the Punto. Roof rails are also visible on the Avventura.
The Fiat Avventura is actually a Punto with lots of cosmetic tweaks, which give it the appeal of a crossover. This isn’t new to the Indian market; the Toyota Etios Cross and Volkswagen Cross Polo are evidence. Previous spy pictures have shown that the car will feature a bash plate as well as smoked projector headlamps which give it a rugged look. The production version might ditch the LED fog lamps and DRLs in favour of regular bulbs to keep the price down, though it might be offered as an optional extra. The front grille has been redesigned and has a honeycomb pattern.
We expect Fiat to offer the Avventura in three engine options from the Punto - a 1.3-litre MultiJet diesel, 1.4-litre petrol and a 1.2-litre petrol. While the 1.4-litre petrol produces 89bhp and 115Nm of torque, the economy-focused 1.2-litre unit produces 67bhp and 97Nm of torque. The MultiJet diesel is good for 75bhp and 197Nm of torque in the standard form, though Fiat might just go with the tuned up 90bhp version of the engine.
The Fiat Avventura will be positioned against other hatchback-based crossovers like Volkswagen Cross Polo and the Toyota Etios Cross. Being based on hatchbacks, these crossovers are not very expensive to develop and manufacture, though manufacturers get the liberty to charge an extra premium over the regular hatchbacks for the perception of their being tougher vehicles. This might have encouraged Fiat to risk entering their contender in this segment, which doesn’t seem to be doing very well in the Indian market.
