The refreshed Fiat Sedici prepares to go on sale across Europe following a facelift that chiefly focuses around new petrol and diesel engines as well as incorporating minor cosmetic changes, mainly to the front body styling.

The refreshed Fiat Sedici prepares to go on sale across Europe following a facelift that chiefly focuses around new petrol and diesel engines as well as incorporating minor cosmetic changes, mainly to the front body styling.

The Fiat Sedici (Italian for sixteen) is a "crossover model" that is built in collaboration with Japanese carmaker Suzuki, who manufacture the 5-door hatchback at their plant in Hungary (selling it itself fitted with slightly different body styling and badged as the Suzuki SX4). It was first presented at the Bologna Motor Show in December 2008. The work of experienced Italian designer Giorgetto Giugiaro, the Sedici was the "official car" of the XX Winter Olympic Games held in Fiat's hometown of Turin in early 2006, and has been on sale in Europe for just over three years. A very solid performer in the Italian showrooms in particular, the four-wheel-drive (it has 3 modes: '2WD, 'Auto' and 'Lock') Sedici saw its range most recently supplemented last year by the addition of a pure front-wheel-drive version which gives increased fuel economy.

Styling changes to the new Sedici are mostly limited to the front end where a new front bumper and lower spoiler combine to create a distinct new look that makes it stand clear of the outgoing model. A small, narrow radiator grille, round foglamps sunk into chrome-finished recesses and a large ribbed aluminium lower spoiler protection plate complete the makeover at the front. Plastic wheel arch finishing trims which slot into chunky sill, lower door protective covers, and aluminium roof bars help to continue the new Sedici's rugged "off road" theme down the flanks.

However it is in the mechanics underneath the bonnet where the new model's key changes lie. The petrol version is fitted with the 1.6-litre engine sourced from Suzuki's powerplant range that now has maximum power raised to 120 CV (previously it was a rather lethargic 107 CV) and has 156 Nm of torque, and is coupled up to a five-speed manual gearbox. Meanwhile also now available to the new Sedici is Fiat Powertrain Technologies' robust 2.0-litre 16v turbodiesel engine with 135 CV and a useful 320 Nm of torque that is delivered at 1,500 rpm (the outgoing version featured the 120 CV 1.9-litre 8V JTD unit). Coupled up to a six-speed manual gearbox the Sedici turbodiesel version has a top speed of 190 km/h and achieves 0 to 100 km/h acceleration in 10.5 seconds. Both of the new engine options will reduce emissions and consumption when compared to the outgoing units.

There will be three specification levels of the new Sedici for customers to choose from: Dynamic, Emotion and Experience. Originally there were just two specifications available. The six version (3 petrol and 3 diesel) range will start with the petrol-driven 1.6 Dynamic, which will be priced at 18,350 euros on the Italian market, rising up to the top of the range turbodiesel 2.0 M-Jet 16v (135 CV) DPF Experience 4x4 which will cost 26,350 euros.