There’s been a lot of hype surrounding the U.S. launch of the Fiat 500, with many predicting a commercial success for the Italian mini even before it landed on this side of the Atlantic. However, there’s one industry executive that doesn’t believe in Fiat’s retro-penned hatchback. We’re talking about Ford CEO Alan Mulally. When asked about the market prospects of the Fiat 500 in the United States in an interview with Italian-language news magazine Panorama, Mulally said: "I do not see large market in the U.S.A. for a smaller car than the Fiesta. Those that tried failed.” Even though Mulally did not elaborate, it is believed that his reference to “failure” was aimed at Dailmer’s Smart ForTwo which saw its U.S. sales plummet from 24,622 cars in 2008 to a mere 5,927 units last year. The Chrysler Group recently celebrated the the production launch of the American market Fiat 500 at the Detroit firm's Toluca plant in Mexico. The starting MSRP for the Italian mini, which is offered with a 1.4-liter four-cylinder producing 101HP, is $15,550.
The star of Fiat's exhibition area at the Geneva Motor Show and the first Fiat-branded vehicle to come out of the partnership with the Chrysler Group is the new Freemont 7-seater crossover. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that the Freemont is a re-badged 2011 Dodge Journey, but if for whatever reason you weren't satisfied with the first batch of official photos, the Italians have just released a more comprehensive set that includes pictures of the interior as well. We'll remind you that the Freemont is due to go on sale in Fiat dealerships across Europe from the second half of 2011. The Italian firm's newcomer will initially come with front-wheel drive and a Fiat-sourced 2.0-liter turbo with 140HP and 170HP, linked to a manual gearbox. By the end of the year, Fiat will also offer two four-wheel drive versions fitted with the 170HP 2.0 MultiJet diesel, and Chrysler's 276HP 3.6-liter V6 petrol unit. For more details on the Freemont, photos
The U.S.-spec 2012 Fiat 500 equipped with the 5-speed manual gearbox has received EPA ratings of 38 mpg on the highway, 30 mpg in the city and a combined figure of 33 mpg. American buyers can also opt for a 6-speed automatic, which is rated at 34 mpg highway, 27 mpg in the city and 30 mpg combined.The 500 is produced at the Fiat Group’s Toluca plant in Mexico and it will start arriving in larger volumes this spring. The automaker plans to open a total of 130 dealerships, of which 40-50 will be in business by the end of March, while the rest should be open by the end of the year, according to Fiat North America. At the start of sales three models will be available. The entry-level Pop costs $15,995, while the Sport and Lounge are priced at $17,995 and $19,995 respectively, with all prices including destination charge. The Sport model is expected to become the biggest seller of the lineup.
All models come equipped with power locks and windows, air conditioning, 50/50 split fold-down rear seat, speed control, heated mirrors, 7 airbags, 15-inch steel wheels and 4-year, 50,000-mile warranty. Compared to its European counterpart, the U.S.-spec Fiat 500 was modified in order to be more appealing to American customers. The automatic transmission is one of the major additions, but the North American car is also quieter and has a more comfortable ride, while the 101HP 1.4-liter FIRE engine received the MultiAir intake system as well. Fiat claims that MultiAir improves fuel efficiency and power output by 10% over the Euro-spec engine. Last but certainly not least on the public’s necessities list, the U.S. version also comes with larger cupholders.
Company Opel modified the most popular model of the brand — Corsa. To hurry with restyling of the German manufacturer has forced a recent debut of version Fiat Punto Evo. Updated Corsa will receive a new colouring of a body and additional options.
Opel Corsa VS Fiat Punto
Opel Corsa and Fiat Punto have started to compete even before official start. Actually, for manufacture of cars of their company use the same platform which also is suitable for manufacture Alfa Romeo MiTo and Peugeot Bipper.
The matter is that the platform created in common by companies General Motors and Fiat, has been sold for release of cars to companies Alfa Romeo, Abarth, Citroën, Peugeot, Opel/Vauxhall and most Fiat. But, despite a considerable quantity of competitors, Corsa nevertheless could get the status of the most popular model created on the basis of the given design, and to achieve 30% of a segment from all sales of company Opel/Vauxhall.
New Interior Opel Corsa
New Corsa it will be presented in two types of a body — three-and five-door hatchbacks. The complete set of an interior of the car applies includes some innovative systems. Already the base version will include adaptive headlights of the head light, a warmed steering wheel, active headrests of forward seats, system of the help of lifting uphill, the panoramic hatch or bicycle luggage carrier FlexFix.
The assortment of engines consisting of five petrol power units in volume from 1 to 1,6 litre and three diesel engines, has been reconsidered to achieve on purpose reduction of consumption of fuel and emissions in atmosphere CO2. In total new motors have allowed to improve profitability on 13%.
Sports division Opel OPC (Opel Perfomance Center) has developed some innovations with which help it was possible to improve comfort and controllability for the car. Official start of the car and more detailed data will appear the next months.
Italian concern Fiat announced release of the special "glamour" version minipenalty FIAT 500. As it is informed in the press release of the motor-car manufacturer, the limited series in 500 copies has received name Pink and differs hypertrophied use of pink colour.
Very pink FIAT
The hatchback body, rugs, decorative elements of an interior is painted in pink colour. As a whole 500 Pink is based on complete set Lounge with the 1,2-l petrol engine and it is in addition equipped by system "Start/Stop", the hatch and leather salon.
Interior glamour FIAT
As consider in Fiat, the pink car will be popular among modern young women, for which car first of all a fashionable accessory. In Great Britain FIAT 500 Pink it is possible to order already now at the price of 11,700 pounds sterling ($19,090US).
Italians have again decided to cause a stir. This time they have created a glamour variant new Fiat 500 for the most known doll of all times — Barbie.
Fiat 500 Barbie has been developed Fiat Centro Stile together with the company on manufacture of toys Mattel.
It will be officially presented by Barbie on March, 9th in Milan where will take place celebrating of the 50 anniversary of this doll.
Show-car Fiat 500 for Barbie have painted glossy-pink colour both inside, and outside. Seats have fitted material Alcantara which not only is considered fashionable, but also is very pleasant to the touch. In rugs have added a silk thread and brilliant viscose, a pocket mirror have illuminated light-emitting diodes.
The car for Barbie all shines: the car is generously inlaid by pastes. Glamour blondes need to be envied only...
Experts of tuning studio Karl Schnorr Kraftfahrzeuge have equipped compact car Fiat 500 Abarth with effective wheel disks OZ Superturismo.
Abarth from KSK has received racing strips on a body, modified suspension bracket CoilOver and the underestimated road clearance. Power of the engine suggest to increase to 157HP (the incomplete complete set) or to 197HP.
Red disks OZ Superturismo Serie Rossa contrast with mirrors and strips of the same colour. Aluminium disks with exclusive design are made by a moulding method under low pressure and thermal processing. The central part of disks have executed from carbon-plastic.
Fiat 500 Abarth in the modelling number — the most powerful variant of the compact car.
However tuning firm Karl Schnorr Kraftfahrzeuge considers, that the hatchback can be finished still. For model two variants of "prorolling" are offered. "Power Level I" means the 1,4-litre engine power 163HP/215Nm., cost €950. At level "Power Level II" power of the motor — 200HP, and the package price €5,050.
Visually Fiat 500 Abarth from Karl Schnorr we will distinguish on a low road clearance, aluminium disks 7x17 inches and specific colouring of a body.
Concern Fiat has expressed interest in acquisition of Italian of tuning studio Bertone to which protection against creditors has been given.
As informs Reuters, the company already has received some offers on sale of the actives from several influential investors.
Company Fiat has not specified what cars, in case of studio Bertone acquisition, is planned to make on studio Bertone areas. Now "Bertone" it is capable at work in two changes to make to 70 thousand cars a year, and at introduction of the third change — to 100 thousand. We will notice, that studio Bertone has stopped mass production of cars in December, 2005.
As specifies edition Automotive News, a deadline for giving of demands for studio Bertone acquisition — on July, 16th current year, thus the winner will be already chosen by the end of month. Company Bertone is based in 1912 and was engaged in creation of cars for many known motor-car manufacturers, including Ferrari, Lamborghini, Volvo and BMW.
As, for example, Fiat 500. And can cost even more expensively. As, for example, new special version Fiat 500 under name Abarth Competizione. Release of this car is dated for an anniversary of repeated occurrence Abarth in the Dutch market. In honour of this doubtful anniversary the sports division of Italian autocompany Fiat has prepared the special version of the car. To be on sale the compact car, by itself, will be only in Holland.
Cost of the car which, by the way to tell, leaves in circulation of all in ten copies, will make 25 000 euros. We will remind, that standard Fiat 500 is on sale for 22 000 euros. The client receives all for this overpayment the same compact car, but with 17-inch wheel disks, satellite navigation, the conditioner, a bonus audiosystem, a roof painted in black colour, and an unostentatious strip on each side. That nobody has thought, that Abarth Competizione is the same Fiat 500, only in an easy make-up, and from racing heritage Abarth here anything is not present, the company suggests to replace a standard four-cylinder turbo-motor with power of 135 h.p. with the 160-strong unit. However, it will cost additional money.
