FIAT has opened the order book for the Opening Edition of its new 500X crossover model.

Only 500 examples of the new special series will be available in the UK, offering customers a raft of additional kit at no extra cost.

Available in City Look or Off-Road Look bodystyles, the Opening Edition offers up to £2,850 worth of added equipment.

Due to hit the streets in May, the 4X2 version is based on the Pop Star trim level, which usually includes stuff like 17-inch alloy wheels, body-coloured bumpers, cruise control, front fog lights with cornering illumination, auto climate control, rear parking sensors, Drive Mood selector and Uconnect infotainment system with Bluetooth.

However, in Opening Edition guise it is enhanced with special Art Grey pastel paint, 18-inch alloys; the Safety Pack of lane assist, blind spot assist; reversing camera and brake control.

Buyers also get a Comfort Pack, tinted rear windows and an Opening Edition badge as standard.

Powered by the Italian brand's 1.4 MultiAir II 140bhp engine, the 500X 4X2 Opening Edition is priced from £17,595 - the same price as the equivalent Pop Star - but with a substantial £1,725 worth of extra equipment at no extra cost.

The AWD version is powered by the 2.0 MultiJet II 140bhp engine with a nine-speed auto transmission as standard and is available only in tri-coat Amore Red.

Like its 4X2 stablemate, it includes extra equipment including a black leather interior with red inserts, a Visibility Pack, steering wheel paddle shifters and the Opening Edition badge.

That's in addition to HID headlamps, an adjustable cargo floor, front floor mats, 18-inch alloys, 3.5-inch TFT colour display and 6.5-inch Uconnect system with 3D sat-nav which are already standard on the flagship Cross Plus model.

Priced from £25,845, the range-topping FIAT 500X Cross Plus Opening Edition offers some £2,850 worth of additional features at no extra cost.