Several technical drawings leaked out of a Chinese patent office have prematurely revealed the Fiat 500X crossover ahead of its scheduled debut at next March’s Geneva Motor Show.

As expected, the 500X will have roughly the same overall silhouette as the pint-sized 500 hatchback but it will boast four doors and a noticeably raised ground clearance. The crossover is expected to look considerably more rugged than the 500 thanks in part to black trim around the wheel arches.

Technical details were not leaked but industry rumors indicate the 500X will ride on a shortened version of the Alfa Romeo-derived CUSW platform that underpins the Dodge Dart, the Chrysler 200 and the Jeep Cherokee. In Europe, the X will be offered with a 0.9-liter two-cylinder TwinAir engine, a 1.4-liter MultiAir four-banger and a 1.3-liter MultiJet turbodiesel. Only the 1.4-liter unit will be retained if the 500X is distributed in the United States.

Italian-American

While the 500X’s U.S. arrival has not been confirmed, what is certain is that it will spawn a Jeep-badged model tentatively dubbed Jeepster that will slot beneath the Cherokee as the company’s cheapest and smallest model. Designed to replace both the Compass and the Patriot, the Jeepster will borrow design cues such as a chunky, squared-off silhouette, round headlights and a bold version of Jeep’s trademarked seven-slot grille from the iconic Willys that was used in World War II.

Look for official details about the Fiat 500X to emerge in the weeks leading up to its debut in Switzerland. There is a chance the Jeepster could also be shown in Geneva, but we wouldn’t be surprised if Jeep chooses to unveil it in New York next April.

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