4WD and rear axle disconnection system
The new Fiat 500X is available in both two-wheel and four-wheel drive configurations. The first is the solution most commonly used on Fiat models, while the second is new for the brand and for the segment: in fact, a particular feature of the 500X's four-wheel drive is the adoption of a rear axle disconnection system that permits a reduction in energy wasted through drag when four-wheel drive operation is not required, thus ensuring greater efficiency in terms of consumption.
The only vehicle in the segment to offer this, with the exception of the Jeep Renegade, the rear-axle disconnect switches between two- and four-wheel drive - seamlessly and at any speed -, ensuring engine torque transfer without no need for driver input. What's more, by interacting with the electronic stability control (ESC), the system takes the necessary corrective actions to ensure vehicle stability, improving response in the case of over or understeer.
The 500X's four-wheel drive can transfer up to 2000 Nm of engine torque to the rear wheels, ensuring optimum road holding even in poor grip conditions.
Finally, an oil bath clutch - housed in the rear differential - uses specific patented algorithms to provide the appropriate level of torque in every driving situation, even on poor grip surfaces and during aggressive starts and sports driving.
Mood Selector and Traction Plus
The new 500X offers the "Mood Selector" drive selection system, which acts on the engine, brakes, steering, automatic transmission and four-wheel drive, allowing for three different vehicle behaviour modes based on the driving style best suited to the situation or the road surface conditions. Activated using the three-position control on the central tunnel, the system is available on all versions of the new Fiat crossover, with the exception of the 500X Pop, and offers specific functions depending on the vehicle traction type.
"Auto" mode is calibrated for everyday driving and ensures maximum comfort and minimum fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. This is achieved through more regular engine calibration and increased power steering, as well as an optimised gear shift point to reduce CO2 emissions (the latter applies to automatic transmission only).
"Sport" mode is perfect for driving when performance matters. The system switches to a specific calibration of the engine, the ESC system and the steering, to ensure a more direct, sportier driving response. In four-wheel drive vehicles, the system switches to specific set-ups to enhance the vehicle dynamic.
For maximum safety, even in difficult grip conditions, the driver can select "All Weather" mode - only available on the more "urban" versions - which uses a specific engine calibration and specific ESC controls to maximise performance on slippery or uneven surfaces.
On leisure versions, "All Weather" mode is replaced by the "Traction" function which, on the four-wheel drive version, speeds up the transmission of torque to the rear axle.
On front-wheel drive versions, the function activates the "Traction Plus" control system, which improves grip on tough, slippery terrain, for more economical, eco-friendly operation compared to conventional four-wheel drive, increasing efficiency during moderate, everyday off-road use.
The "Traction Plus" system deploys ESC hardware, using designated algorithms to control and manage the braking system, electronically simulating the behaviour of a self-locking differential. Optimised software and the fact that force is applied through the normal braking circuit allow for more progressive action than that of conventional systems. Though performance is easily comparable, the system offers the added advantage of being much lighter.
In conditions with poor or no grip on a drive wheel, the control unit detects drive wheel slippage and instructs the hydraulic circuit to apply braking force to the wheel with lower grip, thus transferring power to the wheel on the surface providing the better grip. This improves handling, maintains directional stability and control, and ensures the best possible traction even over very rough or poor grip terrain.