The Fiat 500->ke1708 has been a mainstay at the SEMA Auto Show,->ke216 having been displayed in numerous guises over the past few years. Some of the past 500s that have graced the Las Vegas stage include the 500 Titanium by Mopar Underground and the 500 Abarth Scorpion. Even the 500L, the high-riding variant of the 500, has made an appearance at SEMA. This time, the 500X, the crossover->ke288 version of the 500, is getting its deserved shine at the annual aftermarket auto show. No less than two iterations will be at SEMA, including the kite-surfing-inspired 500X Mobe.

For those who don’t know, Fiat’->ke30s use of “Mobe” can be interpreted in two ways: the first is a reference to a particular kite-surfing move that involves a lot of twisting and turning while in mid-air. The second is a nod to a type of pearl, which makes sense when you take into account the 500X’s Ivory Pearl paint finish.

My money’s on Fiat using both references to create a 500X that’s really fit for adventure-seekers. The 500X also has plenty of other outdoor components that could prove useful for the up-and-about types. I’m not so sure about the 500X Mobe’s chances of ever making it to production, but the showcase of the concept->ke169 does showcase the enormous custom possibilities the 500 crossover has at its disposal.

Continue reading to learn more about the 2015 Fiat 500X Mobe Concept.

Exterior

The Ivory Peal paint color is a significant addition to the 500 X Mobe, but it’s far from the only one. Matte Bronze accents are also a unique feature, infusing a little personality to the hood, roof, mirror caps, and lower grille surround of the crossover. Striking “X” stripe graphics on the doors come courtesy of Mopar. Even its color - Mopar Blue - is straight out of Mopar’s barn. The 18-inch wheels are production versions, but they do come painted in an elegant three-color configuration made up of Matte Bronze, Satin Black, and Mopar Blue.

Rounding out the exterior upgrades is a Mopar roof rack that works in tandem with the side rails to provide easy transport for whatever outdoor gear that needs to be stowed. It could be kite-surfing gear, or in some cases, other recreational equipment.

Interior

The interior of the 500X Mobe retains its outdoorsy theme, beginning with a Mopar Blue kite surfer decal on the dashboard. The use of the Mopar Blue finish continues on the seats where there’s also an embroidered “X” logo just below the headrests. Premium, front all-weather mats and emergency first aid kit are also part of the cabin configuration, same with the Matte Bronze Mopar door sill guards with the 500X logo plastered on it and the black molded cargo tray that provides ample space for storage. Speaking of storage, there’s also a head restraint-mounted coat hanger.

Drivetrain

Performance modifications are limited to a single cat-back exhaust with its own exhaust tips. The lack of any engine upgrades means that the 500X Mobe retains its 2.4-liter Tigershark MultiAir2 engine that produces 180 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque. A nine-speed automatic transmission comes as standard, sending power to the front wheels while also helping the 500X Mobe sprint from 0 to 60 mph in nine seconds to go with a top speed of about 140 mph.

Conclusion

I can’t remember the last time I ever saw a Fiat 500 get fitted for the outdoors so it’s a nice surprise that this 500X has been customized to achieve its full potential. That said, I do have a couple of qualms against it, one of which is Fiat’s decision to use a front-wheel drive version of the 500X to showcase the Mobe Concept. If the 500X Mobe is going to be the adventure-themed ride Fiat’s pegging it to be, it might have been better if it came with an all-wheel drive system. The absence of any performance modifications is also a little bit of a downer, but I’m not too upset about that since the concept does have the biggest available engine for the 500X. Overall, it’s a solid creation that emphasizes what the 500X can really be. This isn’t your regular Fiat 500, folks. It looks capable of getting down and dirty when the situation calls for it.