During the press conference for the launch of the 500L, Fiat surprised assembled journalists by giving a brief glimpse of the next 500 derivative - the 500X compact crossover.
Shown briefly towards the end of the presentation the 500X was strongly backlit to prevent journalists taking pictures but the ploy did not work as pictures and a video have surfaced of what will be the fifth Fiat 500 variant.
Expected to use the same Punto-derived platform as the 500L the new car takes the familiar twin round headlights and adds a slightly elevated ride height, chunkier bumpers and alloys and protective body cladding to give the full crossover look.
The 500X will likely follow the 500L's engine line-up of a 1.4-litre 95hp four-cylinder petrol, 105hp TwinAir and an 85hp 1.3-litre turbodiesel, but if rumours of an Abarth tuned 500L prove right expect similar treatment for the crossover.
With the 500L having just entered production, a seven-seat 500XL to follow and facelift for the current 500 ahead of it in the queue we are unlikely to see the 500X before the end of 2013 at least with a debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show an outside bet.