The Chrysler/Fiat tie-up has been getting enthusiasts in the U.S excited. We all knew that it was finally a matter when, not if, Fiat products would return to the U.S. Now we may know when that actually is, as plans are underway to have the Fiat 500 in Chrysler delearships for the 2010 model year.
This makes a lot of sense. By 2010 the U.S. market will be focused on smaller cars. Ford will have new Europeans in its North American lineup like the Fiesta, and General Motors will be drawing attention with the Volt. The 500 will provide Chrysler with its own showroom attraction for minimal investment (it’s rumored the 500 only need a new front bumper beam.)
Now comes the tricky part: will mainstream American buy for a European city car? We like the Fiat 500 because its a cool package for a small, agile and cheap car. But when it hits the U.S. streets it will be seen as a direct competitor to the Mini Cooper and Volkswagen Beetle. The top engine choice in the 500’s current line-up (non-Abarth) lis the 99 hp 1.4-liter four cylinder engine. That’s 19 hp less than the Mini and 51 hp less than the Beetle.
If the 500 is a success in the U.S., that could mean other products, including the drop-dead sexy Alfa Romeos (wouldn’t a Brera look great next to a 300C on the Chrysler lot...hint, hint.) All we can do now is hope that the 500’s personality will make up for its lack of power.
It looks like fiat went for tradition with the 500 convertible. Back in September we saw a tester that looked like it was using a "rolling roof" for open top motoring. Now we can confirm from this spy shot (presumably from a photo shoot) that Fiat will be using this ultimate-sunroof style to drop its top.
The original 500 convertible utilized a fabric top section that ran from the top of the windshield to the base of the trunk. The fabric area could be peeled back (almost like a sardine can). When opened, the sold metal frame that surrounded the roof section remained.
We should get our first official glimpse of Fiat 500C at the Geneva Motor Show. Sales will begin in Europe (its still not imported to the U.S.) this spring at about a $2200 over the coupe version. The engine lineup should remain the same as the coupe, which means one diesel and two gas engines making between 69 and 100 hp.
"Da 0 a 100" (From 0 to 100) special edition was launched to commemorate the memory of Karl Abarth who was born on November 15, 100 years ago (he was a Scorpio and his logo was a scorpion, get it).
The "Da 0 a 100" special edition is mechanically similar to the 500 Essesse seen at the Paris Auto show. It’s powered by a 1.4-liter turbocharged engine that delivers 160 hp - 25 more than a regular 500 Abarth. The 0 to 60 mph sprint is made in 7.3 seconds, which is almost a full second quicker then is listed for the 500 Abarth. Top speed is raised from about 127 mph to 131 mph.
The special edition also features perforated disc brakes, high performance front brake pads, special low springs, and 17” alloy wheels with Pirelli Pzero Nero 205/40 R16 ZR 17 tires. Karl Abarth actually got his start in motorcycle racing, and that is reflected in some elements of the car. Part of the performance upgrade includes a BMC air filter, which is usually reserved for the two-wheeled vehicles.
Press release after the jump.
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On September 28, Fiat will unveil a special edition 500 called “F1TM Limited Edition”. Although there are no performance modifications (only cosmetic,) the car may still be highly desirable considering production is limited to 12 units total. The cars are equipped with the same 1.4 16v engine available on the rest of the range, which is good for 100 hp and a 113 mph top speed.
This special edition is only available in Singapore, and yet no one at Fiat thought of calling it the "Singapore Sling"?
Press release after the jump.
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Fiat will unveil at the Paris Auto Show the new PUR-O2 line that will be available on the 500, Croma and Bravo from November. The 500 PUR-O2 has a CO2 emissions of 115 g/km.
The PUR-O2 version, built on the basis of a Fiat 500 Lounge, is fitted with the tried and tested 1.2 petrol engine and equipped with the Start&Stop system, a device that turns the engine off temporarily and restarts it during periods when the engine would be idling with the car at a standstill.
From January 2009, it will also be possible to combine the system with a Dualogic gearbox that allows optimum management of gear shifts and offers high mechanical efficiency. In detail, the automated transmission offers a basis for smart management of engine on/off status, shaving even more off fuel consumption figures and guaranteeing CO2 emission levels even lower than 115 g/km.
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Second model to be revealed by Abarth at the Paris Auto Show will be the 500 Abarth Assetto Corse. The model will make its official début in non-European markets by the end of the year, first of all in Japan which is keenly awaiting the Scorpion’s arrival.
Paris is the perfect opportunity to really find out about the world of Abarth preparation which is already proving to be a great hit with the “Assetto” and “esseesse” kits available for the Grande Punto Abarth 1.4 Turbo T-Jet 155 CV. Over 600 kits have been sold in just a few months.
Press release after the jump.
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Abarth will unveil at the Paris Auto Show the "esseesse" kit for the 500 Abarth, only few months after the standard car was launched. Next to it the company will also unveil the Assetto Corse Abarth.
The 500 "esseesse" kit’s display area is characterized by those elements of the Scorpion philosophy that have made it so unique and popular worldwide: the tough spirit, speed, and an innate desire to win. Compared to previous shows, nothing has changed as far as the brand’s distinctive identity is concerned: the colour red, a great passion for cars, the red and white chequered flag used to signal the end of endurance races (the competitions in which Abarth has notched up its greatest achievements), and the yellow and red shield with the black scorpion, representing the stinging zodiac sign of this mechanical genius.
The beautiful polished white floor only adds to the dynamic look of the stand, while the materials and finishes almost fade into the background in order to show off the car and the kits – the real protagonists of the stand.
Press release after the jump.
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Abarth will unveil at the Paris Auto Show the Esseesse and "Assetto Corse" versions for the 500 Abarth, and this are the first official images.
The Esseesse kit offers several exclusive features such as the stickers with the “esseesse” logo, 18” alloy wheels and various mechanical modifications to alter the car’s dynamics. Most probably, like in the Grande Punto Abarth "esseesse" case we will see almost twice the power of the basic Fiat model.
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The new Fiat 500 is maybe one of the most stylish cars ever built, but Studiotorino, an Italian manufacturer though it could make it even better. It unveiled a special edition of the Fiat 500 called Diabolik. The special edition includes a mat black paint with Diabloki red fins, plexiglass plaques on the body style with Diabolika writings while at the interior we have handmade upholstery, headrests in black patent leather just like the steering wheel, hand brake lever and speed gear guard handy sewn with red thread,
a textile sun screen printed with an original drawing, cockpit upholstered in alcantara and soft touch painted plastics, speed gear knob personalized in red and titanium colours, personalized Bosch radio and internal drawers upholstery with printed leather and Swarovski crystals. Also the wheels were replaced with new Borrani spoked wheels fitted with Pirelli special edition tires, hand-cutted and built with the Diabolik eyes shape. In order to stop in time, the vehicle received a new Brembo brake system fitted with new drilled disc brakes. No words about the price yet.
More photos after the jump.
Here is a spy shot of Fiat’s open roof version of the 500. The ability for this car to keep its distinctive shape in soft-top form suggests that this car may not be a traditional convertible. Instead, Fiat may be using a “rolling roof” for one or all of its open top 500s.
Fiat may choose the rolling roof idea as a tribute to its history. The original 500 convertible utilized a fabric top section that ran from the top of the windshield to the base of the trunk. The fabric area could be peeled back (almost like a sardine can). When opened, the sold metal frame that surrounded the roof section remained.
The 500 convertible should be released late this year or early next year, and Fiat’s convertible plans should have no bearing on its assembly sibling, the Ford Ka. As reported yesterday, the Ka CC will have a folding metal roof, which is one version of the 500 convertible we have not seen or heard about.
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