FIAT / Abarth New FIAT 500
- Thread starter SDNR
- Start date
Fiat Automobiles S.p.A.; originally FIAT, (Italian: Fabbrica Italiana Automobili di Torino; lit. 'Italian Automobiles Factory of Turin') is an Italian automobile manufacturer, founded in 1899 and formerly part of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. It is a subsidiary of Stellantis since 2021 through its Italian division. Also owned by Stellantis, Abarth & C. S.p.A. is an Italian racing and road-car maker and performance division founded by Italo-Austrian Carlo Abarth in 1949.
Merc1
Premium
Except, from those pictures, that interior doesn't look built to last to me -- I'm sorry Marcus, this Fiat has nothing on the Mini.
Well I'd wait to see what it actually feels like, the reviews have stated that its built pretty good. The Mini looks the same before and after the redesign, I mean really you have to be Mini expert to tell the difference. The Fiat is much more pleasing to my eye.
M
Merc1
Premium
Is There More for Fiat's 500?
Sporty model and convertible planned; wagon, SUV studied
TURIN, Italy - Fiat wants to capitalize on its sales leadership in European minicars by turning the new 500 into a full model range.
Beyond the known variations - a three-door hatchback now, an Abarth performance model later this year and a convertible next summer - Fiat is considering a three-door station wagon and a four-wheel-drive SUV based on the wagon. Fiat has said it may sell the Abarth 500 in the United States after 2010.
The company has not yet approved the new 500 station wagon. Nor has it approved a program to create an SUV by combining the station wagon body and the 4wd system from the Fiat Panda.
"By the end of the year, we expect to decide on the 500 and SUV," a Fiat executive told Automotive News Europe on the condition of anonymity.
But a wagon concept appeared in a video shown at the 500's media introduction in June. During the video, Fiat 500 designer Roberto Giolito displayed the wagon version of the new 500. Like the original 500 Giardiniera launched in 1960, the potential new model shown in the video is a three-door wagon.
Fiat built 3.9 million units of the original 500 between 1957 and 1977. About 372,000 units were Giardiniera wagons.
Following Mini
Fiat has used BMW's Mini brand as a model for the 500 launch. Broadening the product range is yet another parallel. The second-generation Mini is available as a three-door and convertible. Mini will add the Clubman station wagon this fall and is considering a crossover model.
Similarly, Fiat has committed to three versions of the 500. Fiat launched the minicar in Italy on July 5 as a three-door hatchback with a choice of two gasoline engines (a 69-hp 1.2-liter or 100-hp 1.4-liter) or a 75-hp, 1.3-liter diesel. The hatchback will be the only choice when the 500 goes on sale in France this month.
The first derivative - the Abarth sporty version - will debut either in October at the Tokyo auto show or in December at the Bologna auto show in Italy.
The Abarth 500 will be launched with a 135-hp turbo version of the 500's 1.4-liter gasoline engine. Still under development is a hotter Abarth 500 SS (an abbreviation for Super Sport) with 155 hp.
Convertible is next
Fiat already has approved a 500 convertible derivative that is scheduled to debut next summer.
During the video at the 500's media introduction here, designer Giolito sketched a pillarless 500 convertible with a canvas top.
Sources familiar with the matter told Automotive News Europe that Fiat has not decided on the final configuration of the 500 convertible. A pillarless version is under consideration.
Creating demand
If all the 500 derivatives are approved, Fiat thinks it could have annual demand for nearly 200,000 units by the end of the decade.
Initial demand is strong enough that Fiat is considering increasing its production schedule. The original plan was to build 58,000 units of the 500 this year and 120,000 units in 2008. Fiat group CEO Sergio Marchionne said the company already plans to increase 500 output to 150,000 units next year.
On June 1, Fiat authorized Italian dealers to start placing orders for the 500.
"By the end of June, we had already received more than 25,000 dealer orders," said Luca De Meo, Fiat Automobiles CEO. "If Italian orders continue at this pace, we might delay the new 500 introduction outside Italy."
Is There More for Fiat's 500? - AutoWeek
M
Sporty model and convertible planned; wagon, SUV studied
TURIN, Italy - Fiat wants to capitalize on its sales leadership in European minicars by turning the new 500 into a full model range.
Beyond the known variations - a three-door hatchback now, an Abarth performance model later this year and a convertible next summer - Fiat is considering a three-door station wagon and a four-wheel-drive SUV based on the wagon. Fiat has said it may sell the Abarth 500 in the United States after 2010.
The company has not yet approved the new 500 station wagon. Nor has it approved a program to create an SUV by combining the station wagon body and the 4wd system from the Fiat Panda.
"By the end of the year, we expect to decide on the 500 and SUV," a Fiat executive told Automotive News Europe on the condition of anonymity.
But a wagon concept appeared in a video shown at the 500's media introduction in June. During the video, Fiat 500 designer Roberto Giolito displayed the wagon version of the new 500. Like the original 500 Giardiniera launched in 1960, the potential new model shown in the video is a three-door wagon.
Fiat built 3.9 million units of the original 500 between 1957 and 1977. About 372,000 units were Giardiniera wagons.
Following Mini
Fiat has used BMW's Mini brand as a model for the 500 launch. Broadening the product range is yet another parallel. The second-generation Mini is available as a three-door and convertible. Mini will add the Clubman station wagon this fall and is considering a crossover model.
Similarly, Fiat has committed to three versions of the 500. Fiat launched the minicar in Italy on July 5 as a three-door hatchback with a choice of two gasoline engines (a 69-hp 1.2-liter or 100-hp 1.4-liter) or a 75-hp, 1.3-liter diesel. The hatchback will be the only choice when the 500 goes on sale in France this month.
The first derivative - the Abarth sporty version - will debut either in October at the Tokyo auto show or in December at the Bologna auto show in Italy.
The Abarth 500 will be launched with a 135-hp turbo version of the 500's 1.4-liter gasoline engine. Still under development is a hotter Abarth 500 SS (an abbreviation for Super Sport) with 155 hp.
Convertible is next
Fiat already has approved a 500 convertible derivative that is scheduled to debut next summer.
During the video at the 500's media introduction here, designer Giolito sketched a pillarless 500 convertible with a canvas top.
Sources familiar with the matter told Automotive News Europe that Fiat has not decided on the final configuration of the 500 convertible. A pillarless version is under consideration.
Creating demand
If all the 500 derivatives are approved, Fiat thinks it could have annual demand for nearly 200,000 units by the end of the decade.
Initial demand is strong enough that Fiat is considering increasing its production schedule. The original plan was to build 58,000 units of the 500 this year and 120,000 units in 2008. Fiat group CEO Sergio Marchionne said the company already plans to increase 500 output to 150,000 units next year.
On June 1, Fiat authorized Italian dealers to start placing orders for the 500.
"By the end of June, we had already received more than 25,000 dealer orders," said Luca De Meo, Fiat Automobiles CEO. "If Italian orders continue at this pace, we might delay the new 500 introduction outside Italy."
Is There More for Fiat's 500? - AutoWeek
M
SDNR
Kraftwagen König
But I don't condider the Mini to be Retro like the 500.
If the Mini is Retro -- then one could also say the Rolls-Royce Phantom is Retro -- maybe they are in subtle ways, but I think they are much more cleverly designed. The 500 is as sweet and lacking in substance as candy floss (cotton candy).
If the Mini is Retro -- then one could also say the Rolls-Royce Phantom is Retro -- maybe they are in subtle ways, but I think they are much more cleverly designed. The 500 is as sweet and lacking in substance as candy floss (cotton candy).
PanterroR
Lap Time Luminary
Fiat 500 sold out in 3 weeks, prompts extra production
Fiat’s recently launched 500 minicar is proving so popular that management has decided to increase production. According to Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne, annual production for the 500 will expand to 140,000 from the current 120,000 level starting from next year. It’s hard to imagine that Fiat’s original plans were to build just 58,000 units of the stylish minicar this year.
The 500 minicar is already sold-out for the year after hitting showrooms just three short weeks ago. “As of yesterday, we had received 57,000 dealer orders for the 500, of which 51,000 are from Italy and 6,000 are from France,” Marchionne told Automotive News.
Fiat will now have to expand its Tychy plant in Poland to build the extra minicars as well as accommodate production of the upcoming Ford Ka mini that’s due for launch by autumn next year. Within the next 12 months, the Tychy plant will be capable of building 140,000 500s, 240,000 Panda hatches and 120,000 Ford Kas.
Source: Motor Authority » Fiat 500 sold out in 3 weeks, prompts extra production
Fiat’s recently launched 500 minicar is proving so popular that management has decided to increase production. According to Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne, annual production for the 500 will expand to 140,000 from the current 120,000 level starting from next year. It’s hard to imagine that Fiat’s original plans were to build just 58,000 units of the stylish minicar this year.
The 500 minicar is already sold-out for the year after hitting showrooms just three short weeks ago. “As of yesterday, we had received 57,000 dealer orders for the 500, of which 51,000 are from Italy and 6,000 are from France,” Marchionne told Automotive News.
Fiat will now have to expand its Tychy plant in Poland to build the extra minicars as well as accommodate production of the upcoming Ford Ka mini that’s due for launch by autumn next year. Within the next 12 months, the Tychy plant will be capable of building 140,000 500s, 240,000 Panda hatches and 120,000 Ford Kas.
Source: Motor Authority » Fiat 500 sold out in 3 weeks, prompts extra production
Bartek S.
Aerodynamic Ace
Bartek S.
Aerodynamic Ace
MS Design's Fiat 500 Cup <i>looks</i> ready to rally through the alps - Autoblog
For European customers who just can't wait for the sportier Abarth version of Fiat's hot-selling new 500 super-duper-mini, aftermarket supplier MS Design has got a package that could help bridge the divide. Unfortunately it's just an appearance/aero package, but it certainly looks ready to take to the Monte Carlo rally.
MS Design fitted this look-at-mini-me Cinquecento with a front spoiler, side skirts and rear apron, plus a (relatively) large rear wing below the rear window to supplement the stock one above. MS also equipped its 500 Cup show car with Eibach springs to support the 17-inch powder-coat multi-spoke rims and a new exhaust to boot.
While it may not have any engine mods, MS Design has given the stylish 500 yet another new interpretation. Put the kit on one equipped with the range-topping engine from the kart-tastic Panda 100HP and you may have a winning package.
For more 500-tuning goodness, check out H&R and Aznom.
For European customers who just can't wait for the sportier Abarth version of Fiat's hot-selling new 500 super-duper-mini, aftermarket supplier MS Design has got a package that could help bridge the divide. Unfortunately it's just an appearance/aero package, but it certainly looks ready to take to the Monte Carlo rally.
MS Design fitted this look-at-mini-me Cinquecento with a front spoiler, side skirts and rear apron, plus a (relatively) large rear wing below the rear window to supplement the stock one above. MS also equipped its 500 Cup show car with Eibach springs to support the 17-inch powder-coat multi-spoke rims and a new exhaust to boot.
While it may not have any engine mods, MS Design has given the stylish 500 yet another new interpretation. Put the kit on one equipped with the range-topping engine from the kart-tastic Panda 100HP and you may have a winning package.
For more 500-tuning goodness, check out H&R and Aznom.
VroomVroom
Autotechnik Ace
i like it a lot, cant believe i said that, but i would definitely have it over a ford ka or smart
bmer
Tire Trailblazer
Lol, this Cup version looks so nice! This would make the ultimate supermarket car
Just imagine parking this just out of the grocery store. All those old fat ladies would comment on how bad taste you have
Actually, they would hug you to death.
"What a cute little car you have there! Come here and we'll give you a big hug!"Similar threads
