The new generation of the Fiat Panda will be going on sale in the United Kingdom towards the end of this month. The Italian automaker said that the cheapest model will be the 1.2-liter gasoline Pop that has a base price of 8,900 pounds. This price tag goes all the way up to 12,250 pounds for the 1.3-liter Multijet diesel in Lounge trim.
Clients will be able to choose from one of the following three engines: a 1.2-liter gasoline unit that offers 69 hp, a 0.9-liter TwinAir that generates 85 hp and a 1.3 Multijet 2 turbo diesel engine that pumps out 75 hp.
The Pop versions of the new Panda come nicely equipped with central locking, electric windows, four airbags and body colored bumpers. For more money you could get a black pastel paint, roof rails and ESP.
The more expensive Easy trim adds air conditioning, remote central locking, upgraded stereo system and roof rails. The top-spec Lounge version of the Panda comes with 15-inch alloy wheels, front fog lights, heated electric mirrors, side skirts and body colored door handles and mirrors.
For the first time in the Fiat Panda, a low-speed collision mitigation system is available and it can automatically brake the vehicle at speeds of up to 18.6 mph whenever it detects an imminent collision. It can detect this via the lasers that are incorporated in the vehicle’s windscreen.
Fiat revealed yesterday the first official images with the upcoming 500L model which will be making its official debut next month at the Geneva Motor Show, before going on sale towards the engine of the year. This five-seat 500L (Large) measures 4140mm long, 1780mm wide and 1660mm high, which makes it 594mm longer, 153mm wider and 172mm taller than the regular hatchback 500 model.
The Italian carmaker said that the new 500L will be capable of offering “MPV passenger space” and it will be offered with two gasoline engines and one diesel. These engines include the company’s tiny 2-cylinder TwinAir and 1.4-liter units, along with a more frugal 1.3-liter MultiJet II diesel.
Fiat 500L
Much like the 600 Multipla that Fiat manufactured between 1956 and 1965, this new 500L borrows the “cab forward” design of the Multipla that pushes the driver compartment forwards over the front axle in order to improve interior room.
The car will be produced at the company’s plant located in Kragujevac, Serbia.
It seems that the Italian automaker Fiat is working hard on a wagon version of the popular 500 model which will be wearing the 500L designation (L from “large”). Recent reports say that there will be two versions of the car, one that will have five seats while the other will feature seven seats. The latter will probably not be sold in the United States but nothing is certain at the moment.
The upcoming Fiat 500L is going to ride on a platform that is based on the Fiat Punto and will have a high roof, five doors and a front end that will look much like the other 500 models. The car is expected to be 4150mm long which is going to make it 60mm longer in comparison to the 500 hatchback model.
The same report mentions that the 500L will be offered with the company’s 2-cylinder TwinAir turbocharged 0.9-liter engine that produces 85 hp (86 PS / 63 kW). Aside from this one, there will also be a beefier 1.4-liter gasoline engine with 77 hp (78 PS / 57 kW) or 105 hp (106 PS / 78 kW). The 500L is also going to get a more frugal 1.3-liter diesel engine that can develop 75 hp (76 PS / 56 kW) or 95 hp (90 PS / 70 kW).
The automaker wants to produce 100,000 units of the 500L in the first full year and it will be manufactured at the company’s factory located in Kragujevac, Serbia. The car is expected to make its official debut this March at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show.
It seems that Fiat has decided to bring to Europe the Strada model which is currently built in Brazil. The compact pickup is going to be available in three body styles: Short Cab, Long Cab and Crew Cab. Under the hood there’s a 1.3-liter MultiJet engine that generates 94 hp (95 PS / 70 kW) and a peak torque of 147 lb.-ft (200 Nm). It is capable of returning 44.3 mpg (53.3 mpg UK or 5.3 liters / 100 km).
Fiat Strada
The Fiat Strada features a scratch-resistant bed and has a towing capacity of 2,205 lbs (1,000 kg). It offers a maximum payload capacity of up to 1,555 lbs (705 kg). The compact pickup will be offered with an electronic locking differential in order to handle the difficult terrain.
Fiat Strada
Set to hit the dealerships soon, the Fiat Strada will be available in Italy for 12,900 euros.
Scheduled to reach dealerships this March, the 2012 Fiat 500 Abarth will have a base price of $22,700, including here the $700 destination charge. This is significantly more than the standard 500 which costs $16,200, but still less than the 2012 Mini Cooper S which will set you back at least $23,800.
As you probably already know, the latest Fiat 500 Abarth is motivated by a 1.4-liter MultiAir Turbo engine that produces 160 hp and has a maximum torque of 170 lb.-ft. The car will come with a dual exhaust system, Abarth-tuned brakes and suspension, 16-inch alloys and a turbo-boost gauge that has a built-in LED shift light.
Inside the cabin of the 2012 Fiat 500 Abarth we find accent stitching, performance seats, Bose premium audio system with controls mounted on the wheel and Bluetooth connectivity. Those who decide to buy this car will also get a free day of on-track training at the Richard Petty Driving Experience. We will have the EPA figures of the car next month.
This week at the Los Angeles Auto Show, the Italian automaker Fiat has introduced the Abarth version of the 500 model. The bad news is that they didn’t share official details about the output of the 1.4-liter MultiAir turbocharged engine.
2012 U.S.-spec Fiat 500 Abarth
According to various rumors, the engine will be a little bit more powerful than its European sibling, and it is expected to develop 160 hp (162 PS / 119 kW) and a peak torque of 170 lb.-ft (230 Nm) which is a little bit more than the 138 hp (140 PS / 103 kW) and 152 lb.-ft (206 Nm) of the Euro-spec 500 Abarth.
2012 U.S.-spec Fiat 500 Abarth
The 2012 U.S.-spec Fiat 500 Abarth rides on 16-inch alloys (optional 17-inchers) and features a body kit that improves the car’s aerodynamics.
2012 U.S.-spec Fiat 500 Abarth
The car is scheduled to arrive in U.S. dealerships in the beginning of next year.
According to our colleagues from Auto Express.co.uk, Abarth is currently working on a hotter version of the Fiat Panda which will be powered by a 2-cylinder 875cc turbo TwinAir engine that will develop at least 110 hp which should be just about enough for a 0-62 mph sprint in 8.5 seconds and a top speed of 110 mph. Fuel consumption will remain at 60 mpg UK and this new engine will also be installed on the Panda 4×4 version.
The Abarth Panda will probably reach the showrooms sometime in 2013 and it will be the first car tuned by Abarth that will have this engine. Even though there are no official details regarding the price tag of the new model, the cheapest version will probably cost somewhere around 15,000 pounds.
Expect to see an extensive bodykit and Abarth’s traditional white & red paint scheme, plus bigger spoilers and wings. Other than that, it should ride on 16-inch alloys and will probably feature color-coded bodywork. Needless to say, the hot version of the Panda will get a lowered and stiffer suspension along with beefier brakes.
Inside the cabin, the car will feature bucket seats, a short-throw gearlever and a sports steering wheel. The options list will include 17-inch alloys and a louder exhaust system.
Auto Express mentioned that also in the works is the Abarth Panda Esseesse, which as you probably know is the name that Abarth uses for its most powerful cars.
On November 18th at the L.A. Auto Show, Fiat will unveil the hot Abarth version of the 500 model. This is the third model in the lineup, after the standard 3-door hatchback and the 500C rolling soft top version.
According to the Italian automaker, the car will be motivated by a new 4-cylinder MultiAir turbocharger 1.4-liter engine but they didn’t mention the output. As a reminder, the European version of the car has a turbocharged 1.4-liter that develops 140 and a peak torque of 206 Nm in the standard configuration. With the Essesse package, the power unit churns 160 hp and 230 Nm.
2012 Fiat 500 Abarth
The U.S.-spec 2012 Fiat 500 Abarth will come with a more powerful braking system, a stiffer suspension, bespoke alloys, twin tail pipes, along with a new aero package that includes side skirts, a roof wing, a front bumper and a rear diffuser.
Expect more details about the car at the upcoming Los Angeles Auto Show.
Back in January 2010 at the Detroit Auto Show, we’ve seen an electric version of the Fiat 500 which was on Chrysler’s stand. In March the same year, Chrysler stated that its plans are to sell an electric 500 in the United States that would be developed by the automaker’s engineers at the Auburn Hills, Michigan headquarters. A prototype of that model has been spied this week while undergoing some test in Michigan, revealing its standard J-1772 charging port inside the open fuel filler cap.
Fiat 500 EV
The Fiat 500 EV will probably go into production in the second part of 2012 as a 2013MY and it will probably be called the 500 Elettra (Italian for “electric”). We don’t have many details about the car, except for the fact that it will come with lithium-ion cells provided by A123 Systems.
Fiat 500 EV
As for the price tag, Chrysler said that it will be “competitive with similar electric vehicles in the market”. As a reminder, the tiny (and ugly) Mitsubishi i costs from $29,125 while the Nissan Leaf is available from $35,200. Most likely, volumes of the 500 EV will be low only to allow Chrysler to meet the Zero Emission Vehicle mandate in California. The same recipe will probably be used for the upcoming Chevrolet Spark EV and the Toyota RAV4 EV.
The Italian tuning company Romeo Ferraris has developed a street legal version of the Abarth 500 Cinque Modigliani race car and they unveiled it at the Autodromo Vallelunga. It has just about the same body as the race version, featuring a new hood that has generous dual air scoops, along with a front bumper that sports a large central air intake, a rear bumper which has a central mounted exhaust and diffuser, plus integrated wide body skirts and fenders.
Romeo Ferraris Cinquone Stradale
The car is motivated by the same 1.4-liter Fiat turbo engine which you’ll find in the standard 500 but it comes with a brand new exhaust system that has a metal catalytic converter, a bigger turbo and a remapped ECU. Thanks to all of these upgrades, the power unit develops 300 PS, which is only 60 PS less than the race version of the car.
Romeo Ferraris Cinquone Stradale
As for the cabin, a roll bar has been installed where the rear seat bench was, while the dash pad is now covered in suede. It features carbon fiber seats that have OMP four-point seat harnesses. The car now weighs a little over 2,205 lbs (1,000 kg), compared to the race version which tips the scale at 1,984 lbs (900 kg).
Romeo Ferraris Cinquone Stradale
We’ll keep you posted once they release the details regarding the performances of the car. Stay tuned.
The Italian automaker Fiat has revealed a mild updated for its Ducato commercial vehicle which unfortunately doesn’t bring any noticeable exterior styling modifications. Clients will be able to order it in one of the approximately 2,000 configurations available, while the maximum payload capacity will be of 4,409 lbs (2,000 kg). Inside the cabin, the 2012 Fiat Ducato features chrome accents, a refrigerated compartment that can accommodate a 1.5-liter bottle, along with an optional Blue&Me TomTom LIVE navigation system.
2012 Fiat Ducato
As far as the engines are concerned, the 2012 Ducato can be order with the 2.3-liter unit that can output 110 hp (112 PS / 82 kW), 130 hp (132 PS / 97 kW) and 148 hp (150 PS / 110 kW). In addition, the commercial vehicle can be ordered with a 3.0-liter diesel that generates 177 hp (179 PS / 132 kW) and has a peak torque of 295 lb.-ft (400 Nm).
Fiat have launched their second commercial featuring Jennifer Lopez. 500 Cabrio is the car. Although this time the car appears more in the video, the creative idea of the commercial is, again, the singer and actress and her view on the world. “Until it beats no more” is the soundtrack for all Jennifer’s thoughts during the ad.
According to Oliver Francois, Head of Fiat and Chief Marketing Officer and Brand Marketing Communications, Chrysler Groups LLC, “the primary objective of My World was to explore the story of Jennifer Lopez, who is a cultural icon”. Actually, the story tries to highlight that simple elements of our upbringing are the ones helping explain who we are and achieve our goals. And again: what has the Fiat to do with this? It’s all in brand’s philosophy that “Life is Best When Driven”.
Watch the video and share your opinion about how appropriate this collaboration is:
Fiat has announced its plans to manufacture a 4-cylinder direct injection gasoline turbo engine for Alfa Romeo at the automaker’s FMA plant located in Pratola Serra, Italy. Scheduled to go into product at the beginning of 2013, the engine will be made from aluminum and has a displacement of 1.8 liters and will benefit from the latest technologies like dual variable timing, a 200-bar gasoline direct injection system, along with a very efficient turbocharger. The engine will be offered in various output configurations, the most powerful one being able to churn 300 hp.
The Fiat Group didn’t said anything about the models which will get this new engine, but they did mention that the power unit has been developed for use in both longitudinal and transversal configurations and it will be able to meet the Euro 6 emission standards in Europe and the Tier 2 Bin 5 in the United States.
The Italian automaker Fiat has formed a partnership with BCRF – Breast Cancer Research Foundation for creating a Pink Ribbon special edition of the 500 for the U.S. market. The car will be based on the 500 Lounge and it will be available in either Bianco (white) or Argento (silver), featuring a dark pink stripe with a light pink ribbon.
Fiat 500 Pink Ribbon Edition
As far as the interior cabin is concerned, not much to report as the changes are minor. It has seats wrapped around in black leather with pink contrasting stitching and bespoke floor mats.
Fiat 500 Pink Ribbon Edition
The base price for the Fiat 500 Pink Ribbon Edition starts from $22,500 and for every car sold Fiat will donate $1,000 to the BCRF. The automaker mentioned that they plan on rolling 250 units and they also will make a $50,000 minimum contribution if there won’t be enough buyers for this limited edition 500.
The other day I was lucky enough to see on the city’s streets a gorgeous Abarth 695 “Tributo Ferrari”, based on the funky Fiat 500. Out of all the special editions and tuning programs that have been launched so far for the Italian city car, this is by far my favorite and I doubt that a more impressive one will be launched until the next generation arrives.
Abarth 695 “Tributo Ferrari”
If you are still waiting to see a city car from Ferrari, the closest you’ll ever be is with this one. The car was unveiled two years ago at the Frankfurt Motor Show and it is motivated by a 16 valve, 4-cylinder 1.4-liter turbo engine that has been tuned by Abarth’s and Ferrari’s engineers in order to unleash more than 180 hp. Changing the gears of this fast city car is done by using the paddle shifters mounted on the steering wheel.
Abarth 695 “Tributo Ferrari”
Some of the car’s other goodies include a variable exhaust system, 17-inch alloys, a sport-tuned suspension and impressive Brembo brake discs that measure 284 mm. The paint scheme of the car is just exquisite. Dubbed “Scuderia Red” with Grey stripes, it really looks a lot like the one on the Ferrari 430 Scuderia.
Abarth 695 “Tributo Ferrari”
Oh, and we almost forgot the important figures of the car, it does the 0-62 mph sprint in 7 seconds and manages to hit a top speed of 140 mph, pretty impressive for a downsized Ferrari.
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