Fiat: 500 News
08-17-2011, 11:57 PM
#122
08-18-2011, 09:57 AM
#124
Fahrvergnügen'd
A fansite all about the Fiat 500 Abarth
Site speculation: We can expect the Abarth to be in the range of $19,500 to $21,500.
Site speculation: We can expect the Abarth to be in the range of $19,500 to $21,500.
09-01-2011, 09:51 PM
#127
The Third Ball
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Location: Los Angeles, Ca
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This car is a smash hit. I see them all over LA now.
One of my wife's friends just picked one up and loves it.
One of my wife's friends just picked one up and loves it.
09-02-2011, 12:08 PM
#128
Safety Car
test drove 500 lounge the other day.. was considering it for my wife
i liked the interior.. exterior was not too bad..
didn't like the salesperson and walked away
i'm still not sure if it's worth 20k for it though
i liked the interior.. exterior was not too bad..
didn't like the salesperson and walked away
i'm still not sure if it's worth 20k for it though
10-04-2011, 08:32 PM
#129
Fahrvergnügen'd
If anyone's thinking about a 500, AVIS rents them in select areas. I saw about 6-8 of them at the AVIS here at the Kansas City Airport.
If I had known, I would have rented one and not the Mazda5 I was given
If I have to rent a car again, I'm going to ask for one.
If I had known, I would have rented one and not the Mazda5 I was given
If I have to rent a car again, I'm going to ask for one.
10-05-2011, 06:19 AM
#130
Race Director
I tried that in Houston 2 weeks ago - they only had 5 (all out) and are so popular it is very hard to get one. One car lot attendant told me someone rented one for 3 months!
Oh, I ended up with a Corolla - the most gutless appliance I've ever rented (after turning down a Chyrsler 300 whose 12V power plug didn't work).
Oh, I ended up with a Corolla - the most gutless appliance I've ever rented (after turning down a Chyrsler 300 whose 12V power plug didn't work).
10-31-2011, 06:33 AM
#132
Race Director
http://content.usatoday.com/communit...-performance/1
With the Fiat 500 and its convertible version rolled out, now comes the performance version of the little Italian car that's showing up increasingly on American roads.
The Fiat 500 Abarth comes with a 1.4-liter turbocharged "Multi-Air" engine and a tuned suspension that Fiat says will give it all the pep it needs to win races.
It's named for Karl Abarth, the force behind Fiat's racing program in the 1960s. The Abarth was reintroduced to the Fiat 500 line in 2007, and Fiat says it has done well on the European racing circuit. Now it's coming to the USA. This one will be formally shown at the Los Angeles Auto Show next month, but Fiat -- which controls Chrysler Group -- decided to give everyone an early look. Interesting-looking car, but we're not sure it's going to scare anybody.
The Fiat 500 Abarth comes with a 1.4-liter turbocharged "Multi-Air" engine and a tuned suspension that Fiat says will give it all the pep it needs to win races.
It's named for Karl Abarth, the force behind Fiat's racing program in the 1960s. The Abarth was reintroduced to the Fiat 500 line in 2007, and Fiat says it has done well on the European racing circuit. Now it's coming to the USA. This one will be formally shown at the Los Angeles Auto Show next month, but Fiat -- which controls Chrysler Group -- decided to give everyone an early look. Interesting-looking car, but we're not sure it's going to scare anybody.
10-31-2011, 09:45 AM
#134
Senior Moderator
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phee (11-16-2011)
11-03-2011, 09:04 PM
#136
11-03-2011, 09:13 PM
#137
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My wife loved the 500 she test drove, I thought it drove nicely too. Especially for the price.
I simply don't fit in one of them.
I simply don't fit in one of them.
11-03-2011, 09:15 PM
#138
I drive a Subata.
iTrader: (1)
i saw this heavily modded one couple days ago.
it looked MEAN. love it.
it looked MEAN. love it.
11-16-2011, 01:48 AM
#140
Basic.... I like it. I hope they don't add too much unnecessary crap to the Abarth to spike its MSRP skywards.
Who am I kidding.... of course they will.
Who am I kidding.... of course they will.
11-16-2011, 01:57 AM
#141
The Fiat 500 may have taken overseas markets by storm, but that isn't quite the case here in North America, where a delayed rollout, overly optimistic sales projections and related issues have hampered the retro supermini's sales. So much so, in fact, that Chrysler has reportedly had to stop production of the 1.4-liter engine that powers the Cinquecento until demand catches up to supply. As a result, it has had to lay off a portion of the employees that build it.
The exact layoff numbers are in dispute, but according to a new Automotive News report, Chrysler itself pegs the number at 30 while the United Auto Workers' local representative says it's more like 100. Fiat initially pegged its sales projections at 50,000 units this year, but as of just a couple of weeks ago, it had barely sold 16,000.
The exact layoff numbers are in dispute, but according to a new Automotive News report, Chrysler itself pegs the number at 30 while the United Auto Workers' local representative says it's more like 100. Fiat initially pegged its sales projections at 50,000 units this year, but as of just a couple of weeks ago, it had barely sold 16,000.
Last edited by AZuser; 11-16-2011 at 02:01 AM.
11-16-2011, 01:59 AM
#142
Abarth looks like it will be a fun little car to toss around.
11-16-2011, 06:10 AM
#143
Race Director
Fiat initially pegged its sales projections at 50,000 units this year, but as of just a couple of weeks ago, it had barely sold 16,000.
11-16-2011, 11:43 AM
#144
The sizzle in the Steak
Abarth in the U.S.
11-16-2011, 11:44 AM
#145
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We thought about the Abarth model, but I can't sit comfortably in those cars at all.
11-16-2011, 12:51 PM
#147
I drive a Subata.
iTrader: (1)
It looks freaking great, and it should be fun to drive!
A little too small though.
A little too small though.
11-18-2011, 10:40 AM
#151
The sizzle in the Steak
Yea that commercial hit the nail on the head!!!
Pretty much describes how one feels about the Abarth!
11-22-2011, 12:01 PM
#153
02-02-2012, 12:57 PM
#157
The sizzle in the Steak
I bet they sell more L than the 3 door.
02-02-2012, 01:28 PM
#158
My first Avatar....
I like the L better. 
07-17-2012, 11:29 AM
#159
Safety Car
Espresso
Drivers love fancy technology extras packed in their car and Fiat is hoping their latest innovation may be the best yet - 1 that can save you a trip to your favorite coffee store.
But the car designers new innovative addition to their latest line, due out in Italy in October, is landing them in some hot water with some consumers concerned about it adding to a mounting list of things that distract drivers. However, the car maker says, don't rush to judgement, you can't brew up a cup unless your car is stopped.
Their new crossover model the Fiat 500L boasts a whole range of accessories, but the 1 drawing the most attention and perhaps concerns, is their built-in espresso machine. That's right. Forget your Starbucks runs, or trying to rush out the door to work with your homemade brew. Instead, inside your console you'll find a "new coffee machine created in collaboration with Lavazza," considered to be the Starbucks of Italy.
"The 500L is the 1st standard-production car in the world to offer a true espresso coffee machine that utilises the technology of the 'A Modo Mio' pods," the company said in a press release. "It is perfectly integrated in the car with a deck designed expressly by Fiat."
A video put out by the automaker shows a cartoon character couple debating the choice of having to make a coffee run. But no longer!
"Do you want to take a break while flavouring the best Italian espresso coffee without stepping out of the car? With 500L even this will be possible!" the company touts on its Italian site.
Passengers can brew on the road, filling the car with the sweet aroma of drink of the tired.
" It will be possible to enjoy ... inside a car the high quality, the unique taste, the body and creaminess of the true Italian espresso," the automaker boasts.
While it is certainly a 1st-of-its kind offering, the function has been met with a lot of criticism in the U.S. about concerns that drivers don't need another distraction while driving. Most of the focus of distracted driving campaigns have focused on texting, including a new set of public service announcement commercials from AT&T that show the fatal consequences of multitasking while driving.
So, when news of the coffee meets car collaboration hit the Web in the U.S., people on Twitter took the car company to task, noting that while we can't drive while texting in many places, it doesn't seem like a stellar idea to be making scorching hot coffee while taking your car to the road. It was unclear if those criticizing the idea knew the machine only worked while the car was stopped, a detail that was not touted on the car's site or in many media pieces criticizing the idea.
Even TV host Tom Bergeron weighed in on the idea, remarking that the innovative addition may be more dangerous than impressive.
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Fiat's 500L will have an in-car espresso maker. Nothing better than generating 200 degree liquid when texting at 80 MPH. #wtfMotorCo
16 Jul 12
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CineSportsTalk @CineSportsTalk
So Fiat is coming out with a car in October that has a built in espresso machine. I'm glad they are focusing on safety. #Fiat500L
16 Jul 12
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"You can use it only when the car is stopped," Norman Winkler, the communications press officer for Fiat in Europe told CNN. "It's quite tiny and it has a docking station in which it remains locked. The quantity of coffee is much (less) than usual use in the cups in the states. Its espresso, it's very tiny."
And it's not even clear whether those who are outraged in the U.S. will even have to deal with the issue. Jiyan Cadiz, the spokesman for Fiat in the U.S., said it was too soon to say what features might or might not show up in the American model.
"We have not provided any product details at this time," he told CNN. "As we get closer to our own launch of the vehicle we’ll provide feature availability and specs and more context between the Euro cousin and the U.S. model."
12-06-2012, 09:16 PM
#160
Senior Moderator
2013 Fiat 500e
Press release...
Designing city-friendly, environmentally responsible and fun-to-drive small cars is what the FIAT brand and its “Simply More” belief stand for. The all-new 2013 Fiat 500e electrifies the next chapter of the brand’s legacy by embodying the FIAT brand’s simple, purposeful and fun-to-drive values – through iconic style, engaging dynamics and an environmentally responsible zero-emissions design.
"The Fiat 500e changes the paradigm in an electric vehicle market that's quickly becoming crowded," said Tim Kuniskis, Head of FIAT Brand North America. "The Fiat 500e offers iconic Italian design and a great combination of performance and range, with battery technology that delivers consistent performance across all weather conditions."
Designed to be a no-compromise electric vehicle (EV), the 2013 Fiat 500e builds on the Cinquecento’s successful small-car formula, while adding an all-new battery-electric powertrain that produces 111 horsepower (83 kW), recharges in less than 4 hours with its Level 2 (240 volt) on-board charging module (OBCM) and delivers more than 80 miles of estimated range, with city driving range typically exceeding 100 miles without any tailpipe emissions.
Making sure the all-new 2013 Fiat 500e delivers world-class EV handling and braking performance, engineers designed a new chassis and suspension for the new EV powertrain, while further solidifying the engaging European driving dynamics the FIAT brand and Cinquecento are known for.
The all-new Fiat 500e pushes its iconic Italian design forward with its wind-tunnel-sculpted shape and retro-futuristic dot-matrix styled cues for a cutting-edge look. To achieve a 13 percent improvement in aerodynamics (0.311 coefficient of drag (Cd) compared to the 2013 Fiat 500 Lounge’s 0.359 Cd), the Fiat 500e features eight exterior enhancements and more than 140 hours of wind tunnel testing and refinement. The result is a purposeful design that enables this Cinquecento to achieve an additional five miles of range.
Inside, 2013 Fiat 500e fuses retro-futuristic design with unique EV technology elements for an environment comprised of simplicity with innovation. An all-new 7-inch thin-film transistor (TFT) instrument cluster displays full-color picture graphics to illustrate vehicle functions, charge levels and trip summary. In addition, a new TomTom Navigation unit enables the driver to view the vehicle’s charge schedule, range, and power-flow gauges, and can even request nearby charging stations with real-time availability. Below its instrument panel bezel, the 2013 Fiat 500e also includes an all-new electronic shifter with easy-to-use push-button transmission mode selection. For added style, the interior environment is available in Nero (black) or exclusive Steam (white), highlighted by Electric Orange to bring even more design character to this Cinquecento.
Keeping passengers of the Fiat 500e connected to vehicle information is an all-new Fiat 500e Smartphone App (compatible with iPhone and Android) that enables real-time vehicle status, manages charging, tracks the driver’s energy use, locates the vehicle and nearby charging stations, plans and sends routes to the vehicle and provides text-message alerts.
The all-new 2013 Fiat 500e arrives at FIAT Studios in California during the second quarter of 2013.
"The Fiat 500e changes the paradigm in an electric vehicle market that's quickly becoming crowded," said Tim Kuniskis, Head of FIAT Brand North America. "The Fiat 500e offers iconic Italian design and a great combination of performance and range, with battery technology that delivers consistent performance across all weather conditions."
Designed to be a no-compromise electric vehicle (EV), the 2013 Fiat 500e builds on the Cinquecento’s successful small-car formula, while adding an all-new battery-electric powertrain that produces 111 horsepower (83 kW), recharges in less than 4 hours with its Level 2 (240 volt) on-board charging module (OBCM) and delivers more than 80 miles of estimated range, with city driving range typically exceeding 100 miles without any tailpipe emissions.
Making sure the all-new 2013 Fiat 500e delivers world-class EV handling and braking performance, engineers designed a new chassis and suspension for the new EV powertrain, while further solidifying the engaging European driving dynamics the FIAT brand and Cinquecento are known for.
The all-new Fiat 500e pushes its iconic Italian design forward with its wind-tunnel-sculpted shape and retro-futuristic dot-matrix styled cues for a cutting-edge look. To achieve a 13 percent improvement in aerodynamics (0.311 coefficient of drag (Cd) compared to the 2013 Fiat 500 Lounge’s 0.359 Cd), the Fiat 500e features eight exterior enhancements and more than 140 hours of wind tunnel testing and refinement. The result is a purposeful design that enables this Cinquecento to achieve an additional five miles of range.
Inside, 2013 Fiat 500e fuses retro-futuristic design with unique EV technology elements for an environment comprised of simplicity with innovation. An all-new 7-inch thin-film transistor (TFT) instrument cluster displays full-color picture graphics to illustrate vehicle functions, charge levels and trip summary. In addition, a new TomTom Navigation unit enables the driver to view the vehicle’s charge schedule, range, and power-flow gauges, and can even request nearby charging stations with real-time availability. Below its instrument panel bezel, the 2013 Fiat 500e also includes an all-new electronic shifter with easy-to-use push-button transmission mode selection. For added style, the interior environment is available in Nero (black) or exclusive Steam (white), highlighted by Electric Orange to bring even more design character to this Cinquecento.
Keeping passengers of the Fiat 500e connected to vehicle information is an all-new Fiat 500e Smartphone App (compatible with iPhone and Android) that enables real-time vehicle status, manages charging, tracks the driver’s energy use, locates the vehicle and nearby charging stations, plans and sends routes to the vehicle and provides text-message alerts.
The all-new 2013 Fiat 500e arrives at FIAT Studios in California during the second quarter of 2013.