Fiat seems to be leaving no stone unturned as it continues extensive testing of the Avventura. The crossover has once again been spotted testing, this time in Pune, Maharashtra. To be based on the Fiat Avventura concept which was unveiled at the 2014 Delhi Auto Expo, the production version of the crossover is expected to go on sale in the Indian market, later this year.
The Avventura is a bolder version of the Punto, thanks to rugged styling elements like the bash plates, plastic claddings and the dual-tone bumpers. It gets a redesigned front end with smoked headlamps and a new grille with honeycomb pattern. 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 rear gets an interesting arrangement for the spare wheel. While the rear boot opens conventionally like in a Punto, the spare wheel has been mounted on a separate side-hinged tail gate which opens outwards.
Just like the Punto, the Avventura is expected to be offered with three engine options - a 1.3-litre MultiJet diesel, 1.4-litre petrol and a 1.2-litre petrol. While the 1.4-litre petrol churns out 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 its standard form, though Fiat might decide to go with the tuned up 90bhp version of the engine.
While compact SUVs are selling like hot cakes in the Indian market, the hatchback-based crossover segment hasn’t been doing that well. Despite this, the Italian manufacturer has taken the gamble of fielding its contender in this segment. The Avventura will rival other hatchback-based crossovers like the Volkswagen Cross Polo and the Toyota Etios Cross.
