Fiat launches Sedici SUV

Another Bologna Motor Show launch uncovered by Italiaspeed, this time a bigger Fiat SUV, the Sedici. Named after the number 16 in Italian (4x4 - get it?), the Sedici is a multinational Suzuki, built in Hungary, and badged in Italy as both a Fiat and a Lancia. The Fiat version was penned by Italdesign-Giugiaro, and carries forward styling cues from other new models, notably the Croma.

The Sedici carries 5 passengers, with flexible seating configurations to mix people and cargo. At launch, two engines will be offered, a 1.6-liter 107 hp gasoline unit, and a 1.9-liter common-rail diesel, with 120 hp. The electronically controlled 4WD system is front-drive biased, as in the new Panda Cross.

The Sedici will compete directly with Chevrolet's new Europe-market Captiva SUV, originally introduced at the 2004 Paris Auto Show as the S3X concept.