Fiat 500L goes official, heading to Geneva Motor Show

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.

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.

Source: Fiat via Autocar.co.uk

Post tags: Tags: Fiat, Fiat 500L, fiat-500, geneva-motor-show

Fresh news about the upcoming Fiat 500L

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.

Source: Automotive News

Post tags: Tags: Fiat, Fiat 500L, fiat-500, rumors

2012 Fiat 500 Abarth priced from $22,700

2012 Fiat 500 Abarth

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.

Source: Abarth via Inside Line

Post tags: Tags: abarth fiat 500, Fiat, fiat-500, fiat-500-abarth

2012 U.S.-spec Fiat 500 Abarth debuts at L.A. Auto Show

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.

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.

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.

The car is scheduled to arrive in U.S. dealerships in the beginning of next year.

Source: Fiat

Post tags: Tags: abarth, Fiat, fiat-500, fiat-500-abarth, la-auto-show

2012 Fiat 500 Abarth heading to Los Angeles Auto Show

On November 18^th 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.

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.

Source: Fiat via Carscoop

Post tags: Tags: abarth, Fiat, fiat-500, l.a. auto show, los angeles auto show

Spy shots – Fiat 500 EV

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.

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.

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.

Source: Green Car Reports | Photos: WCF

Post tags: Tags: Fiat, fiat 500 elettra, fiat 500 ev, fiat-500, Green, Spy Shots

Romeo Ferraris Cinquone Stradale Hits The Streets

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.

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.

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).

We’ll keep you posted once they release the details regarding the performances of the car. Stay tuned.

Source: Romeo Ferraris via WCF

Post tags: Tags: abarth, Fiat, fiat-500, fiat-500-abarth, romeo ferraris, Tuning

U.S. Gets Fiat 500 Pink Ribbon Edition

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.

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.

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.

Source: Fiat via WCF

Post tags: Tags: Fiat, fiat 500 pink ribbon edition, fiat-500, special editions

My Favorite Fiat 500 – The Abarth 695 “Tributo Ferrari”

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.

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.

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.

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.

Post tags: Tags: abarth, abarth 695 tributo ferrari, Fiat, fiat-500

Fiat 500 Abarth – drive test

The Fiat Cinquecento is one of the most iconic cars ever produced by the Italian car maker. Being one of the first and smallest city cars ever produced, the people at Fiat decided to bring back the legend, and they did so, in 2007. The car made a huge splash, all over the media and among its fans, conquering many city inhabitants’ hearts and digging into their pockets for change.

Last weekend we took the Fiat 500 Abarth for a ride and you should know it felt freakin’ amazing! Of course, after Abarth got its hands on it, the little Fiat 500 kept its sheep skin, but got a wolf’s heart. Here’s what Red Riding Hood handled the situation.

We’ve always liked quality, well made things. We have a special appreciation for a well designed products, with exquisite final touches, and details that come together in perfect harmony and give personality to that product. A product such as the one described above is the refined Fiat 500 Abarth.

The exterior

The retro look is what we expected from the new Fiat 500, since it has to continue the legacy of its forefather, which was one of the most popular cars in history. Of course, the car isn’t called Abarth for nothing: the modified spoilers, the two exhaust pipes, the custom rims and stickers, reveal its sporty origins and make the little Fiat a head-turner. The white paint fits it perfectly, making it both elegant and stylish – a true fashion icon! Men and women alike are thrilled about this little toy!

The interior

The interior of the Fiat 500 is worthy of its Italian heritage: the sporty seats, the lovely dashboard, made of quality materials, the leather steering wheel, the custom mats and a well partitioned space all prove it. Although the back seat is quite small and its main purpose is to fit the car in the four seater category, so the taxes don’t go as high as they are for the two seaters, if you’re skinny, you can seat quite comfortably on it. The front seats can be regarded as small(ish) by some drivers, but such a sporty car can only be matched to a fit owner. So maybe it isn’t so bad that it makes you want to go to the gym more often.

The dashboard is very chic, and Abarth added a big watch to show the turbo pressure and to notify you when you should change gears in the Sport mode, in order to get the best performance out of this car. We had our moments when we felt like we were driving in Racing Kingdom, we admit it.

The trunk is surprisingly spacious, for such a small car, so you can actually go shopping with it.

Technology and safety

Fiat 500 Abarth is fitted with a radio/CD/mp3 and a good sound system, with USB and you can even synchronize your Windows phone with the car (if you own one). Moreover, the Blue&Me system allows the car to receive vocal commands: you can change the song on your audio system, you can call someone by saying their name and you can even have your text messages read to you, so you can focus on driving. There’s an entire manual that describes what the Blue&Me system can do.

Safety is a main concern for any car maker, and the Fiat 500 got 5 stars at NCAP and has some extra airbags, making a total of 7. To this Fiat added a lot of safety features, such as ESP, ASR, MSR, Hill Holder and TTC (Torque Transfer Control), to keep you on the road, enjoying this precious little car.

The monster under the hood

We finally got to the fun part: the engine! This is the essence of the Fiat 500 Abarth, its soul and spirit, which leaves a huge smile on your face when you get out of the car. Under the hood, Abarth put a 1,4l turbo charged engine that delivers 135hp. For a car that weighs under a ton, that’s a lot of power! This little things get from 0 to 100 km/h in 7,9 seconds and we took it to 205 km/h, in sport mode.

When sport mode is off, the 500 Abarth is a perfect city car, easy to park and easy to drive, good looking and which you can use to get around rush hour traffic. But when you get the courage to press the Sport button, the car transforms from a chic toy to a kart, ready to throw aside pretentious SUVs.

The steering wheel hardens and if you’re serious about stepping on that throttle, the car will be thrust forward like a tiny rocket. Overtaking is so easy in this car! Curves become so much more fun , because the TTC (Torque Transfer Control), which transfers torque between the wheels while cornering, limits understeering and keep the car glued to the road. It’s, by far, the most fun car we’ve ever driven!

The fuel consumption is also great! Here are the numbers:
- 4,9 l/100km out of town, with sport mode off
- 5,2 l/100km out of town, with sport mode on
- 6,2 l/100km in the city, with sport mode off
- 8,8 l/100km in the city, with sport mode on.

Fiat 500 Abarth technical specs

Engine/transmission: 1,368cc, four-cylinder turbocharged petrol with DOHC and four valves per cylinder; 135bhp at 5,500rpm and 152lb ft of torque at 3,000rpm. Five-speed manual gearbox, front-wheel drive.

Performance: top speed 127mph, 0-62mph in 7.9sec, EU Urban fuel consumption 33.2mpg, CO² emissions 155g/km.

If we had the money (namely from $19,500 to $21,500), we’d go tomorrow to the first showroom and buy one!

This is a car you can easily fall in love with, a car with soul and passion, like Fiat knows how to make, and also a true fashion statement, for both men and women.

Would you like to own a car like this?

PS: Thanks a lot Autoitalia for giving us the change to test this little monster!

See more pictures of this drive test on our Facebook page!

Post tags: Tags: fiat 500 abarth drive test, fiat 500 abarth pictures, fiat 500 abarth specifications, fiat 500 abarth specs, fiat-500, fiat-500-abarth

First 504 Coupe Zagato Elaborata Produced

Based on the Fiat 500 Coupe Zagato, the Italian specialty automaker Scagliarini Motorsports has finished the production of the very first 504 Zagato Elaborata. It seems that the car was commissioned by a client in the U.A.E. and it has the same drivetrain and chassis as the Fiat 500 Abarth SS with 178 hp (180 PS / 132 kW).

This special car has just about the same design as the Zagato, except for the fact that it blocks the two rear passenger seats entirely. The bodykit of the car is made out of carbon fiber and includes the bumper grill, front splitter, dash kit, air vents, rear diffuser and roof spoiler.

Source: Scagliarini via WCF

Post tags: Tags: fiat-500, scagliarini, zagato

2013 U.S.-spec Fiat 500 Abarth, Heading To L.A. Auto Show

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.

Source: Fiat USA via WCF

Post tags: Tags: Fiat, fiat 500 abarth esseesse, fiat-500, fiat-500-abarth

China Gets Fiat 500 First Edition

The Fiat 500 will soon be landing in China and for this occasion the Italian automaker will be offering a limited edition of 100 special units. This “First Edition” is nothing more than a marketing scheme to make people preorder the tiny car. It works this way: you place an order until September 15^th and you will take part in a final draw. The winners will get their cars replaced with one of these limited editions.

The model is based on the Fiat 500 Lounge and features a bespoke 3-coat pearlescent white body, along with a red leather interior and a special badge located on the door pillar.

The car comes with a 1.4-liter MultiAir gasoline engine that produces 101 hp (75 kW) at 6,500 rpm and has a peak torque of 133 Nm available at 4,000 rpm.

The highlight of this “First Edition” will be the special livery. Fiat contacted five Chinese designers in order to develop these exclusive graphics and you can see for yourselves the results.

Source: Fiat via Motor Ward

Post tags: Tags: china, fiat 500 first edition, fiat-500, special editions

Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari Heading To Goodwood

The Italian tuner Abarth will be participating at the Goodwood Festival of Speed for the second year in a row and for this occasion they will bring this 695 Tributo Ferrari, based on the tiny Fiat 500. The car is powered by a 4-cylinder 1.4-liter engine that produces 180 PS @ 5,500 rpm and has a peak torque of 250 Nm which is available at 3,000 rpm.

Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari

With this power under its hood, the car can do the 0-62 mph sprint in less than 7 seconds, before hitting a top speed of 140 mph (225 km/h). The fuel consumption for the 695 Tributo Ferrari is rated at 6.5 liters / 100 km.

Aside from this model, Abarth will also bring to Goodwood and the open-top 500C fitted with the manual transmission which up until now was available only with the “Competizione” paddle-shift semi-automatic gearbox. In addition, the tuner will also exhibit the Punto Evo esseesse.

Source: Abarth via Carscoop

Post tags: Tags: abarth, abarth 695 tributo ferrari, fiat-500

South Africa Gets Special Edition Fiat 500

The car is motivated by a 1.4-liter power unit that produces 100 hp (101 PS / 74 kW) and has a peak torque of 97 lb.-ft (131 Nm), enough for a 0-62 mph sprint in 10.5 seconds and a top speed of 113 mph (182 km/h).

Source: Fiat via WCF

Post tags: Tags: fiat-500, south africa, special-edition