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.
The third generation of the funky Panda has been revealed this week by the Italian automaker Fiat at Frankfurt. Stating that the car has reached its “full maturity”, the new model will be available only as a 5-door model and will offer a bigger trunk and more room for the passengers.
2012 Fiat Panda
The length of the car has increased to 3650 mm (from 3538 mm), width is now 1640 mm (from 1578 mm) and is also 10 mm taller at 1550 mm. The rear seat splits & slides in order to allow flexible seating and space arrangements, while the seat backrest of the front passenger can be folded so that it forms a table.
2012 Fiat Panda
Clients will be able to choose from one of the three gasoline engines which will be available upon launch. There will be two 875 cc 2-cylinder engines, one with 85 hp (TwinAir turbo) and a naturally-aspirated version that churns 65 hp. The third gasoline engine is going to be a 1.2-liter unit with 69 hp. If you prefer diesels, you can get the car with a 1.3 Multijet engine that develops 75 hp and benefits as standard from the stop/start technology.
2012 Fiat Panda
Later on, Fiat will add other engines and gearboxes. The firsts to join the lineup will be two hybrids in the form of a gasoline / methane unit based on the 0.9-liter turbo, along with a gasoline / LPG engine which is based on the naturally-aspirated 1.2-liter. Some say that we shall see an Abarth version of the new Panda which will be based on the 875cc turbocharged engine and will develop 105 hp. The Italian automaker will launch a “robotized” Dualogic gearbox in the near future. In 2012, the Panda will get a clever braking system that will be able to spot obstacles at close ranges, managing to stop the car on its own at speed under 20 mph.
2012 Fiat Panda
The production of the 2012 Fiat Panda will commence this October at Alfa Romeo’s Naples factory that has been updated by Fiat. In UK, the car is scheduled to go on sale in April next year and will be priced from 8500 pounds.
If you were waiting for a new generation of the Fiat Punto, you’re going to have to wait for at least one year as the car in this picture is only a refreshed model. Set to make an official debut in a couple of weeks at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the 2012 Fiat Punto will go on sale in early 2012 and aside from the mild aesthetic changes, the most important novelty would have to be the addition of a 0.9-liter TwinAir turbo engine that fires 85 hp, along with an updated 1.3-liter MultiJet power unit that has the same output.
2012 Fiat Punto
The first one offers the entire HP at 5500 RPM while the peak torque of 145 Nm is reached at 2000 RPM. This power unit is linked to a six-speed gearbox and the Italian automaker said that it will have CO2 emissions of only 98 g/km. The Punto TwinAir will have two driving modes: normal and eco, the latter meant to cut down the CO2 emissions.
2012 Fiat Punto
As far as the model fitted with the aforementioned 1.3-liter MultiJet engine, it generates more torque (200 Nm @ 1500 RPM) and CO2 emissions are lower, standing at 90 g/km.
2012 Fiat Punto
Regarding the design, you’ll notice the updated front & rear bumpers, a new design for the 15-inch alloys, new indicators, along with more exterior paint options, like Graphite Grey, Ruby Red and Turquoise. Inside the cabin, the 2012 Punto gets a redesigned dashboard and new seats.
2012 Fiat Punto
It will be available with the stop/start technology that has a gear shift indicator, Fiat’s Blue&Me infotainment system, along with a bunch of safety systems.
Next month at the Frankfurt Motor Show will get to see three new special editions from Abarth: 500 Cabrio Italia, 695 Competizione and the Punto SuperSport. All of them are going to feature “Abarth Corsa by Sabelt” sport seats wrapped around in leather upholstery.
The Abarth 500 Cabrio Italia will celebrate once again 150th years since the unification of Italy and is based on the 500C model. The car will be motivated by a 1.4-liter Turbo T-jet engine that churns 158 hp (160 PS / 118 kW) and a peak torque of 170 lb.-ft (230 Nm). It will be able to do the 0-62 mph in only 7.4 seconds, en route to a top speed of 130 mph (211 km/h). It will feature a chrome plate with a satin-effect badge, along with carbon fiber touches and natural leather on the inside.
Abarth 695 Competizione
As far as the Abarth 695 Competizione is concerned, it will be powered by a 1.4-liter Turbo T-Jet engine that produces 178 hp (180 PS / 132 kW) and a peak torque of 199 lb.-ft (270 Nm), mated to a 5-speed sequential gearbox Abarth Competizione. On the outside it will have a competition gray finish while the interior cabin features lots of 695 Competizione logos and red stitching.
Abarth Punto SuperSport
Last but not least, the Abarth Punto SuperSport will get the same 178 hp engine which will allow the car to reach a top speed of 133 mph (216 km/h), while the 0-62 mph sprint is done in 7.5 seconds.
After receiving about 3,000 preorders for the Fiat 500 by Gucci hatchback, the Italian automaker has decided to roll out the topless version which is going to be sold under the name of 500C by Gucci. Once again, Gucci’s creative director Frida Giannini has customized this special edition version by collaborating with the Centro Stile Fiat. The most important difference between the two models is that for the “C” version, the green-red-green Gucci web pattern was removed and put on the electrically operated black top.
Just like its hatchback sibling, the convertible version is going to be available in either glossy black with shiny chrome-plated accents or white with matte chrome-plated elements. Some of the other exterior updates that should be mentioned include the 16-inch bespoke alloys that have a double “G” logo located on the hubcaps, along with the Gucci signature in italics that is displayed on the tailgate as well as on the door pillar.
Fiat 500C by Gucci
The cabin packs just about the same unique elements and upgrades that we’ve previously seen in the hatchback version, including here the Gucci upholstery, a velvet-effect finish located on the radio panel and satin and polished chrome-plated elements.
Those who want the Fiat 500C by Gucci can order it later on this month and it will arrive in Fiat’s showrooms as early as next month. In Italy, the car will have a starting price of 20,000 Euros, which is about $28,900.
Source: Fiat via Carscoop
Post tags: Tags: Fiat, fiat 500c, fiat 500c by gucci, gucci
2013 U.S.-spec Fiat 500 Abarth, Heading To L.A. Auto Show
Fiat 500 Abarth
If you are following Fiat USA on Twitter you probably have found out already that the Italian automaker will bring to the L.A. Auto Show the U.S.-spec Abarth version of the 500 model. The car will probably be just about the same as its European sibling, featuring a 1.4-liter turbocharged engine that produces 138 hp (140 PS / 103 kW) and a peak torque of 152 lb.-ft (206 Nm). The more powerful Abarth Esseesse is offered with 168 hp (170 PS / 125 kW).
Unfortunately, Fiat didn’t say anything about which of these two versions will be reaching stateside but we’ll find out soon. Anyway, the base price of the 2013 U.S.-spec Fiat 500 Abarth will be of around $19,000 and it should hit the dealerships sometime next year.
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