Abarth Specialties World Premiere

Abarth 500 - Cabrio Italia

TURIN : August 30, 2011 - The three specialties on hand in Frankfurt embody the sportiness, heritage and undisputed racing spirit essence of Abarth.

Abarth 500 “Cabrio Italia”

Sportiness is interpreted with Abarth elegance and style by the first car on display: the Abarth 500 “Cabrio Italia” in a special Blu Abu Dhabi livery - tribute to Italian design in the year of the 150th anniversary of Italian unity - combined with an electrically operated black top and tinted rear windows.

Born with a strong “Turismo” vocation, it will accompany the 2011 Automotive Giro d’Italia after the world debut in Frankfurt. This is a legendary sporting event that returns after 110 years since the first epic edition to celebrate the 150 year anniversary of Italian Unification, travelling more than 1,500 km, just like the Abarth Limited Edition.
Distinguished by a special chrome “500 Cabrio Italia” plate with satin effect, 150 cars will be produced with a 1.4 Turbo T-Jet engine that delivers an impressive 160 HP (118 kW) and maximum torque of 230 Nm at 3,000 rpm in Sport mode.

The engine is a 1,368 cm3 4 cylinder 16 valve unit (turbocharged with a fixed-geometry IHI turbocharger) that delivers exhilarating performance. Top speed is 211 km/h while acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h takes place in just 7.4 seconds. This is partly achieved by the over boost function, activated by the “Sport” button that modulates control unit mapping and turbo pressure in addition to load on the steering wheel. Yet this typically Abarth performance comes with very frugal fuel consumption: 6.5 l/100 km over a combined cycle. For the first time combined with the 160 HP engine, the Abarth 500 “Cabrio Italia” also offers a 5-speed manual gearbox that exalts personal driving style through a more direct relationship with the car. In terms of safety, the Abarth 500 “Cabrio Italia” follows the Abarth 500C standards.

In addition, as on all the other Abarths, it offers standard the TTC (Torque Transfer Control) device that by improving the transfer of drive torque to the wheels, enhances the car road holding without compromising the fun to drive it. Finally, this new special series is equipped with the "esseesse" brake system – consisting of perforated self-ventilated front brake discs and fixed four-piston caliper - which makes this car even safer, higher performing and more fun than ever before. This special series is equipped with Xenon headlights with dipped and main beam functions for improved light emission and excellent efficiency under all weather conditions. These elements deliver three times the light intensity and duration of standard halogen lamp headlights.

The “Abarth Corsa by Sabelt” seats in natural leather with backrest in carbon fibre embellish the new Abarth 500 “Cabrio Italia”. Thanks to this, these seats offer a perfect blend of racing characteristics – light weight (10 kg less than the standard seat) and the ability to restrain the body against lateral and longitudinal forces, thanks to body support strip elements filled with mono-layer padding – with the ergonomics and comfort of road seats. The interior is embellished by pedals and gear lever knob in Alutex aluminium glass fibre material and running board in carbon fibre with dedicated “Cabrio Italia” graphics. The dashboard is the same Blu Abu Dhabi shade as the body and a chrome plate with the same graphics is housed on the central console with sequential numbering to demonstrate the exclusive Limited Edition version.

Moreover, an Abarth Blue&MeTM MAP satellite navigation unit with a telemetric function developed in conjunction with Magneti Marelli is integrated in the dashboard.
Steering wheel in black leather with double stitching and the mirror covers in the shade of magnesium complete the aesthetic features. The 10-spoke 17" rims with diamond effect, also magnesium in colour, are embellished by the yellow Brembo front callipers.

Abarth Punto - SuperSport

Abarth Punto “SuperSport”

“Heritage” is the element that distinguishes the special Abarth Punto “SuperSport” series, typified by a Grigio Campovolo two-tone livery enriched with a special matte black paintwork for the bonnet and roof, which interprets in its design an element in the past used on the racing cars to prevent the light reflections.

The exterior of the car is further enhanced by “supersport” graphics on the side panel and on the tailgate and by matt black mirror covers. The same colour also distinguishes the 18" alloy rims with dedicated Abarth esseesse design with red calipers and hub cap.

Powered by a 1.4 Multiair engine that develops 180 HP (132 kW) at 5,750 rpm and with 270 Nm of maximum torque at 2,500 rpm, the Abarth Punto “SuperSport” reaches a top speed of more than 216 km/h and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 7.5 seconds.

Further contributions to performance come from the modified suspension and safety (some of the features of the “Esseesse Abarth Koni” kit), as well as the adoption of floating, perforated and self-ventilated front disc brakes with oversized four-piston red brake calipers, perforated rear disc brakes, high performance front brake pads, front and rear Koni shock absorbers with FSD (Frequency Selective Dumping) valve and specially lowered springs. The exhaust pipe oversized in the centre segment is also taken from the “Esseesse” kit.
Inside, this special Abarth Punto supersport features “Abarth Corsa by Sabelt” black leather seats, with red and yellow stitchings and gloss black backrest (homologated and lightened in keeping with the car’s racing spirit) and an Abarth Blue&MeTM MAP satellite navigation unit with a telemetric function developed in conjunction with Magneti Marelli. Enriching the interiors are the laser-treated aluminium kick plate with special “supersport” graphics, the stainless steel pedals with Abarth brand, and the leather steering wheel with double red and yellow stitching, just like the seats and the sporty Jaeger driving instruments.

Abarth 695 Competizione

Abarth 695 Competizione

In line with the philosophy that has identified Abarth for fifty years - the transfer of racing experience to the on-road car market and making the world of racing accessible - the Abarth 695 Competizione is born, the first “street legal” Scorpion racing car. This double-seat car best expresses a concept used to a great extent in the past, which connoted the Abarths as cars designed for the road but with the goal of being easily used on the track as well. It is for true sports car lovers as it has the track in its DNA and the road in its heart.

Inspired by the Abarth 500 Assetto Corsa, the exterior of the car flaunts an exclusive Grigio Competizione Opaco livery, embellished by a livery of racing appeal that however forgoes strong colour contrasts in favour of a refined tone-on-tone effect. But the main distinguishing element is inside. Like a real racing car, this is a two seater in which the rear seats are replaced by a roll bar the same Grigio Competizione Opaco shade as the bodywork. In this way the car acquires additional sporting character because the roll bar decreases its weight, making it even better performing. The space left empty by the seats sports a trim reminiscent of the almond of the racing cars, which continues into the boot. The Abarth 695 Competizione has “Abarth Corsa by Sabelt” seats in black leather with Alcantara® red inserts and a carbon fibre shell and seat base. Red stitchings, “695” logo and “competizione” graphics respectively embroidered on the headrest and backrest further enrich the seats.

The black leather steering wheel is characterised by a tricolour hub and red inserts, and is fitted with 5-speed “Abarth Competizione” gearshift paddles, while the instrument panel is specially made by Jaeger. The carbon dashboard contains the Abarth Blue&MeTM MAP satellite navigation unit with a telemetric function developed in conjunction with Magneti Marelli and, on the central console, the chrome plate with sequential numbering to demonstrate the exclusivity of the Limited Edition version.

Attention to detail has also been given to the racing pedals, which are personalised with the Scorpion logo. Finally, the interior is also embellished with the carbon running board with “695 Competizione” graphics in a satin aluminium finish.

This special series is also equipped with Xenon headlights with dipped and main beam functions for improved light emission and excellent efficiency under all weather conditions. The 17" rims whose design is borrowed from the “Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari”, matching the body, and Brembo brake calipers and hub cap, both red, complete the aesthetic features of the exterior.

In keeping with its racing vocation, the Abarth 695 Competizione is equipped with a 1.4 Turbo T-Jet 16v engine – tuned to develop more than 180 HP - combined with the “Abarth Competizione” gearbox, an electromechanical gearbox with race-inspired steering wheel controls that makes full use of the engine’s performance by reducing gearshift times. In detail, this transmission has two operating modes: “Street” with automatic gearbox and “Track” where shifting is instead manual, in line with the car's vocation, "Sunday on the track, Monday at the office".

As on the 695 Tributo Ferrari, the suspension and braking systems have also been further strengthened to cope with the extra power: Brembo 305 mm disc brakes that can be dismantled with fixed four-piston caliper disc and special shock absorbers that guarantee performance in total safety. And of course there is a “Record Monza” variable back-pressure “dual mode” exhaust, designed to improve engine performance and sound over 3,000 rpm.

[Source : FIAT]

Fiat and Gucci introduce the new “500C by Gucci” cabriolet with an innovative European tour

FIAT 500C by GUCCI

TURIN : August 2, 2011 - On the wave of the remarkable interest attracted by “500 by Gucci” - 3000 pre-orders logged on the www.500bygucci.com website and requests from all over the world - Fiat and Gucci introduce the “500C by Gucci”, a cabriolet version once again customised by Gucci Creative Director Frida Giannini in collaboration with the Centro Stile Fiat.

Orders will start in August. The car will be distributed worldwide and from September will be on display in selected Italian Fiat showrooms. It will have a price tag of 20,000 euros. Furthermore, as from 19 August, “500C by Gucci” will be the star of an original tour that will stop at some of the most famous places in Europe.

All the exclusivity of the “500 by Gucci” - attention to detail, feeling of elegance and style - is enhanced in this new version, and made even more attractive by the innovative electric soft top for opening a "window onto the sky".

The new convertible version will be available in two sophisticated body colours: white with matte chrome-plated elements and glossy black with shiny chrome-plated accents. For both, the soft top is black with the characteristic green-red-green Gucci web pattern printed lengthwise (the same graphic pattern is sported on the side of the car). Furthermore, the side pillars of the saloon version are maintained and with its special sliding electric top the Fiat “500C by Gucci” can be enjoyed all year round.

The exterior of the Fiat “500C by Gucci” is embellished by 16" alloy wheels characterised by the unmistakable retro design of the spokes, in perfect harmony with the exterior colours: an absolute first for cars in this category. The hub caps have a double "G" logo in matching body colour and the Gucci signature in italics is displayed on the tailgate and on the door pillar.

The passenger compartment of the Fiat 500 by Gucci also brims with style: stylish stitching, exclusive materials, satin and polished chrome-plated elements, a velvet-effect finish on the radio panel and two-tone Frau leather seats with Guccissima print. The “Gucci” web theme also appears on the seats, gearbox, key cover, mats and, with an innovative finish, on the seat belts.

Fiat “500C by Gucci” will of course come complete with a great deal of standard equipment: automatic climate control system, seven airbags (front, side, window and knee), Blue&Me system integrated with rear parking sensors, car radio with CD-MP3 player and leather steering wheel with radio controls.

Before debuting in showrooms in August the “500C by Gucci” will be the star of an original tour that will stop at some of the most charming locations in Europe. The first stop will be at Saint Tropez (from19 to 27 August) followed by Berlin (8 - 14 September), Barcelona (25 September - 2 October), London (16 - 23 October) and Geneva (23 - 30 October). In Italy, the tour will start from Forte dei Marmi (22 - 28 August) and then reach Rome (4 - 11 September), Florence (19 - 26 September) and Milan (8 - 16 October).

A striking 5-by-5 metre crystal cube with elegant shiny black lacquered bottom and top will be set up for each stage of the tour. Inside, set like a precious jewel, an example of the exclusive cabriolet will be on show. At night, the installation will light up creating a suggestive atmosphere that will further enhance the elegant car and the prestigious location. The stage is completed by three small showcases displaying some of the articles in the “500 by Gucci” collection, which comprises travel accessories, small leather goods, track suits, bomber jackets, driving gloves, eyewear and a watch.

Like the saloon version before, an original advertising campaign has been created for the Fiat “500C by Gucci” in which the car features next to model Natasha Poly. The selected Fiat dealerships that will be displaying the “500C by Gucci” will receive copies of an exclusive lifestyle brochure created as a fashion catalogue and designed to bring out the class and one-of-a-kind nature of this extraordinary interpretation of the glamorous world of 500 in artistic photographs.

Images : FIAT 500C by GUCCI

    

    

  

[Source : FIAT]

The exclusive Fiat 500 “First Edition” made by five Chinese artists in just 100 numbered units disembarks in China

Fiat 500 "First Edition"

SHANGHAI : July 12, 2011 - Lorenzo Sistino, Fiat Group Automobiles Executive Vice President International Operations, presented the Fiat 500 "First Edition" made exclusively for the Chinese market and embellished by the creative graphics of five young Chinese designers, earlier today in Shanghai.

Shangri-La by Mee Wong

This Limited Edition - 100 numbered units - will be featuring in an original initiative ahead of the official launch of the 500 on September 15. Everyone who places an order for a Fiat 500 from July 12 to September 15 will take part in a final draw entitling them to replace the car they ordered with a Fiat 500 "First Edition".

"The start of the pre-order stage is a fundamental stage for the 500 launch in China and will mark an important step forward in the joint project of Fiat and GAC", declared Lorenzo Sistino. "The objective of the 500 is to position our brand on this market because it is the model that best expresses the values of Fiat".

Life by Nod Young

Based on the 500 Lounge, the "First Edition" has a special three-coat pearlescent white body colour, red leather interiors and a special badge on the door pillar. Under the bonnet, it fits a 1.4 litre MultiAir, the petrol engine that won the "The International Engine of the Year Award 2010". Combined with an automatic six-speed transmission, the innovative engine delivers a top power of 101 HP (75 kW) at 6500 rpm and a torque of 133 Nm at 4000 rpm.

The real particularity of the Fiat 500 "First Edition" is its special livery, as Lorenzo Sistino explained. "The 'First Edition' is a special offer exclusively created for Chinese customers and represents a symbol that joins our two cultures. Not by chance, we asked five young Chinese artists to interpret the relationship between our two countries in a creative, original manner, and to fashion a tribute for the launch of the 500 in China.

Fairy Tale by Tail Leilei

The 500 will have many versions and special series, in addition to the 100 "First Edition" models. Next year we will be launching the 500C convertible and the exclusive "500 by Gucci" special series.

The Fiat 500 is the first important step of Fiat in this great market: by the end of 2012 we will have launched a new saloon made entirely in China at the plant in Changsha with our partner GAC".

Follow your instinct by Benny Luk

In detail, the five exclusive high-impact designs on the sides of the car cleverly symbolise the bonds between Italy and China. The first designer is Leilei, an avant-garde artist who has won many important awards in China and in other countries. Use of elements from national popular culture is predominant in his works. The second young designer is Mee Wong, illustrator and teacher at the Guangzhou Art Institute. Her favourite creative element is the panda, the animal which symbolises Chinese culture. Asian tradition is again the inspiration for the third artist, Benny Luk, an award-winning designer of international fame, who combines graphics and web design. Next is Nod Young, a visual artist with a unique style whose artwork has been exhibited in many countries, including the UK, Germany, the USA, Italy, South Africa and China. Drawing and illustration master Yan Wei completes the line-up. She employs traditional Chinese patterns and her works have been displayed in some of the most famous art galleries of Shanghai, Beijing, New York and Tokyo.

Surprise by Yan Wei

Made in Toluca (Mexico), the Fiat 500 marketed in China has an entry-level price of 190,000 RMB. The range includes three trim levels (Pop, Sport and Lounge), one engine version (1.4 MultiAir 101 HP), an automatic six-speed transmission, 12 body colours (metallic, non-metallic and three-coat pearlescent), 9 colour-material combinations for upholstery and two interior environments (black or ivory). In brief, this amazing A-segment four-seater ensures a great handling experience and unprecedented feeling with its ideal city size, its thrilling driving dynamics, its brand-new 1.4 litre MultiAir engine, its innovative Blue&Me hands-free communication system and seven airbags as standard.

[Source : FIAT]

Chrysler prepares to build small car that may increase Fiat stake

DETROIT : June 24, 2011 - Chrysler Group LLC said it plans to begin test production in the second half of this year of the small car that will trigger U.S. government requirements to increase Fiat SpA (F)’s ownership stake.


Tooling for the small Dodge brand car goes into Chrysler’s Belvidere, Illinois, assembly plant in August, Fred Goedtel, head of Chrysler’s assembly operations, said in an interview this week in Sterling Heights, Michigan.

“We’ll start pilots in the fall” and official production begins “sometime” in the first quarter, he said.

Design work on the car, which is the vehicle Chrysler expects will trigger the final government ownership milestone, is done, Ralph Gilles, head of Chrysler design, said in an interview in Chelsea, Michigan, yesterday. “The company is really focused on it,” he said of the vehicle.

Turin, Italy-based Fiat is consolidating control over Chrysler. Fiat is buying the U.S. Treasury Department’s final stake in the U.S. automaker, acquired as part of Chrysler’s 2009 bankruptcy reorganization. That purchase will raise Fiat’s stake to 52 percent on a fully diluted basis. Chrysler must test and commit to building a vehicle in the U.S. that achieves 40 mpg to gain another 5 percent stake.

Its deal with the U.S. and Canada allowed Fiat to gain as much as 35 percent in Chrysler without paying cash in exchange for giving management experience and technology to Chrysler and achieving various performance milestones. The 40 mpg vehicle is the final such milestone.

Fiat also exercised an option to purchase 16 percent of the Auburn Hills, Michigan-based company after Chrysler repaid the U.S. and Canadian government loans in May.
Sergio Marchionne, chief executive officer of both automakers, has said he expects Fiat will get its final 5 percent tied to the 40 mpg car by year’s end. The small Dodge car is being based on Fiat’s Alfa Romeo Giulietta technology, Marchionne has said.

Gilles said the new Dodge model’s name was decided earlier this week. He declined to provide the name.

[Source : BLOOMBERG]

Fiat Punto

The Fiat Punto is a supermini produced by the Italian manufacturer, Fiat, since 1993.Internally codenamed Project 176, the Punto was announced in September 1993 and launched in late 1993 as a replacement for the ageing Fiat Uno. The Fiat Punto was voted European Car of the Year for 1995. The Punto's distinctive clean-cut styling by Giorgetto Giugiaro was an instant hit (though one of the car's most recognisable features, the vertical tail/rear lights, were not part of Giugiaro's original design and were in fact added later in-house at Fiat's factory[citation needed]). Competitive pricing which undercut rivals such as the Opel/Vauxhall Corsa and Volkswagen Polo also helped the Punto become an instant success in the European marketplace.Entry-level in the Punto range were the 1.1 and 1.2 L petrol engines and the 1.7 diesel engine. The 1.2 engine's actual capacity is 1.242 litres, available in 3 versions. The first, was fitted in the Punto ELX 75 and produced 75 hp (56 kW) at 6000 rpm while the second, fitted to Punto ELX 85 produced 86 hp (64 kW) at 6000 rpm. The third was a 60 hp (45 kW) engine which eventually replaced the 1.1 54 hp engine.A 1.6 Sporting was also available producing 88 bhp, but the best performing version was the 136 PS (100 kW; 134 hp) 1.4 GT using an evolution of the turbocharged 128 SOHC engine originally found in the Fiat Uno Turbo Mk II- capable of running over 200 km/h (120 mph) and reaching 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 7.9 seconds. This car was also fitted with a 5-speed manual gearbox, with different gear ratios than the ELX series. During the years the GT was made in three different "series" with power 136 PS (100 kW; 134 hp) (1993–1995),133 PS (98 kW; 131 hp) (1995–1997) and 130 PS (96 kW; 130 hp) (1997–1999).[Particular versions of the Mark I Punto were the Punto 6Speed, a 1.1 FIRE Punto 55 with a 6-speed gearbox, the Punto Selecta with a CVT-type automatic gearbox, and the Punto ED (Economical Drive), a 1.1 Punto whose 5-speed gearbox was designed for high fuel.

Fiat Punto Abarth

The second generation Nuova (New) Punto, codenamed Project 188, was launched in late 1999. The styling was all-new while retaining the original Punto's distinctive shape and design, while the chassis and interior were completely overhauled. The new Punto also became the first Fiat in decades to carry the original round Fiat badge, to celebrate Fiat's centenary.The 1.1 and 1.4 turbo engines were discontinued due to emissions issues, and the entry-level models had only a 1.2 petrol unit (with either 8 or 16 valves, giving 60 and 80 hp (60 kW) respectively) or a 1.9 diesel (with or without common-rail injection)Two sporty versions were offered. The 1.2 16 valve Sporting model with a 6-speed manual, and the hot 1.8 HGT which could reach almost 130 mph (210 km/h). The 1.2 16V model also has a CVT-equipped variant (with a sequential manual shift mode consisting of 6 gears, 7 for the Sporting model). The 1.8 HGT accelerates 0-60 in 8.0 seconds. It was considered a big improvement in handling over the Mark 1 GT. The HGT was also available (in limited numbers) as an "HGT Abarth" which added deeper bumpers, rear spoiler, side skirts, new alloy wheels and interior trim. The HGT Abarth had no technical improvements over the regular HGT.The second generation Punto has also adopted Dualdrive electric power steering and comes with two operation modes, using an electric motor, rather than a hydraulic pump driven by the engine. This results in reduced fuel consumption and less environmental impact. It has a fuel economy of 5.6 L/100 km (50 mpg-imp; 42 mpg-US) - urban and 3.9 L/100 km (72 mpg-imp; 60 mpg-US) - extra urban for the 1.9 diesel. The 1.8 petrol does 8.8 L/100 km (32 mpg-imp; 27 mpg-US) - urban and 5.3 L/100 km (53 mpg-imp; 44 mpg-US) - extra urban.


In early 2003, Fiat celebrated the rollout of the 5,000,000th production Punto. In the same year, the second generation facelift brought further revisions to the platform, including extensive changes to the exterior styling and engines, partly due to changes in pedestrian safety regulations. The round Fiat badge, found only on the bonnet of second generation models, was introduced on the tailgate of the second generation facelift. On June 1, 2005, Fiat produced the 6,000,000th Punto at the Melfi plant. This Punto is currently the fourth-best selling supermini in Europe. Fiat Punto is now being produced in Italy and Serbia. Engine changes included a new 1.4 16v engine, alongside the staple 1.2 & 1.2 16v variants, and the introduction of two HGT versions, 1.9 L Multijet diesel , and 1.8 L 16v petrol engine which could reach almost 130 mph (210 km/h) continued over from the Mark 2. There was an introduction also of the 1.3 L common rail diesel MultiJet engine.Despite the launch of the slightly larger Grande Punto in 2005, the 1999 Punto is still in production, and was launched for the first time in Chile in 2007, as Punto Classic. It is to be replaced by a new B segment model. In October 2005, Serbian manufacturer Zastava reached an agreement with Fiat to make this version under licence with the model name Zastava 10. After acquiring Zastava in autumn 2008, Fiat continued production of this vehicle under the brandname Fiat Punto Classic in March, 2009. The fully new Grande Punto codenamed Project 199, was unveiled at the 2005 Frankfurt Motor Show and went on sale later on that year. Again styled by Giugiaro, the car is using the Fiat/GM SCCS platform. In 2009 the Grande Punto was re-named Punto Evo and given some minor styling tweaks including a new front and revised rear lights. It also received a new interior.

Fiat 500

The Fiat 500 is a car produced by the Fiat company of Italy between 1957 and 1975, with limited production of the Fiat 500 K estate continuing until 1977. The car was designed by Dante Giacosa. Launched as the Nuova (new) 500 in July 1957, it was marketed as a cheap and practical town car. Measuring only 3 metres (~10 feet) long, and originally powered by a tiny 479 cc two-cylinder, air-cooled engine, the 500 redefined the term "small car" and is considered one of the first city cars. In 2007 Fiat launched a similar styled, longer and heavier front wheel drive car, the Fiat Nuova 500. To meet the demands of the post-war market which called for economy cars, the Fiat 500 was rear-engined on the pattern of the Volkswagen Beetle, just like its bigger brother, the 1955 Fiat 600. Several car makers followed the now uncommon rear engine configuration at the time and were quite successful. The Neckar version manufactured in Heilbronn under a complicated deal involving NSU, was introduced in October 1961. In Upper Austria the firm of Steyr-Puch also produced cars based, by agreement, on the Fiat 500. Despite its diminutive size, the 500 proved to be an enormously practical and popular vehicle throughout Europe. Besides the two-door coupé, it was also available as the "Giardiniera" station wagon; this variant featured the standard engine laid on its side, the wheelbase lengthened by 10 cm (4 in) which yielded a usable rear seat, a full-length sunroof, and larger brakes from the Fiat 600. Sports models were famously produced by Abarth, as well as by Giannini. An Austrian variant, produced by Steyr-Daimler-Puch, the 1957–1969 Steyr-Puch 500, had a motorcycle-derived Puch boxer twin motor, a sports model of which was the 1964–1968 Steyr-Puch 650 TR2. Production of the 500 ended in 1975, although its replacement, the Fiat 126, was launched two years earlier. The 126 was never as popular as its predecessor in Italy, but was (and still is) enormously popular in the former Eastern Bloc countries, where it is famed for its mechanical durability and high fuel economy.

Top Gear Fiat 500 Abarth SS

The 'original' new 500, the Nuova, has a smaller two-cylinder engine than all newer models, at 479 cc (500cc nominal), hence the name, and producing just 13 bhp. This model also features a fabric roof folding all the way back to the rear of the vehicle, like that of a Citroën 2CV rather than the later roof design, which only folds half way back along the roof. The Nuova is one of three models featuring "suicide doors". There is also a stylish Sport version of the Nuova, which features a distinctive red stripe and a more powerful engine, bored out to 499.5 cc from the original 479 cc engine, thus producing an impressive 21 bhp from the same original block.Replacing the original Nuova in 1960, the D looks very similar to the Nuova, but there are two key differences. One is the engine size (the D features an uprated 499 cc engine producing 17 bhp as standard—this engine is used right through until the end of the L in 1973) and the other is the roof: the standard D roof does not fold back as far as the roof on the Nuova, though it was also available as the "Transformable" with the same roof as the Nuova. The D also features "suicide doors".The estate version of the Fiat 500 is the longest running model. The engine is laid under the floor of the boot to create a flat loading surface. The roof on this model also stretches all the way to the rear, not stopping above the driver and front passenger as it does in other models of the same period. The K also features "suicide doors" and is the only model to continue to sport this door type in to the 1970s.The F spans two periods of 500 production, the D and the L. As such, it is the most frequently misidentified model. Between 1965 and 1969 the F carried the same badging as the D, but the two models are distinguishable by the positioning of their door hinges. The D has "suicide doors": the F, produced from June 1965, at last featured front-hinged doors. Between 1969 and 1972 the F was sold alongside the Lusso model as a cheaper "base model" alternative. While the F and L are mechanically very similar, the key differences are the bumpers (the L has an extra chrome nudge bar) and the interior (the F interior is nearly identical to the original 1957 design while the L sports a much more modern look).The penultimate model, the main change for the L is a much modernized interior (including a renewed dashboard) which brought the Fiat 500 up to date. Greater comfort and style were provided in this new model for the new generation.The last incarnation of the Fiat 500 was the R model. It had a larger 594 cc engine, designed by Abarth, giving it a more usable power rating of 23 bhp, came with a syncromesh gearbox. The floor-pan which was from either the 'L', or later, the new 126. It was also more comfortable, but more simply trimmed and equipped than before — the fuel gauge was omitted and only the low fuel indicator remained. The 500 R was also a stop-gap for Fiat prior to the launch of the Fiat 126, and when the new 126 was launched, sales of the old Fiat 500 R plummeted. It sold alongside the Fiat 126 for another two years before Fiat retired the 500.




Carrozzeria Ghia made a custom "Jolly" version of the 500 inspired by the limited edition Fiat 600 Jolly. Fiat previewed the all new 500 in March 2007—exactly 50 years after the first Fiat 500 was presented. The design of the new 2007 Fiat 500 is based on the 2004 Fiat Trepiuno concept. This car features a distinctive retro-look just like the Volkswagen New Beetle and BMW MINI but is substantially cheaper than those cars, with a starting price of €10,500 (similar to how the original Fiat 500 was cheaper than the Volkswagen Beetle and Austin Mini). Fiat shares the underpinnings of the new 500 with Ford for the 2009 Ford Ka. Production takes place in Fiat facilities in Tychy, Poland, and was scheduled for mid 2007, with commercial debut in September 2007. The Nuova 500 was introduced in Mexico in September 2008, powered the 1.4 L 16V 100 PS (74 kW; 99 hp) engine, transmissions are dualogic for the 500 Classic, 500 Lounge and 500 Vintage trims or six-speed manual gearbox for the 500 Sport Trim. The Abarth 500, Abarth 500 esseesse, Abarth 500C and the Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari variants have been sold through independent importers. Mexico became the first country in the Americas in which the Nuova 500 is sold. In 1995 British shoegazing band Lush recorded a tribute song to Fiat 500. The song, aptly named 500, was released on the group's final album Lovelife in 1996. A remixed version of the song, renamed 500 (Shake Baby Shake), was released as the groups final single later that year, reaching #21 in the UK singles chart. Free diving world champion Enzo Molinari and his brother Roberto drive a beaten-up Fiat 500 with a trailer full of diving equipment in the movie The Big Blue. Both actors and the car later featured in Japanese TV commercials for 'Lazer 100' gasoline. In The Castle of Cagliostro, a Japanese animated film starring the master thief Arsène Lupin III, he and his close friend Daisuke Jigen escape on a Fiat 500 pursuit after robbing the casino of Monaco. The car is also seen frequently in other animated iterations of the franchise, including the 1971-72 television series and the 2008 special Red Vs Green. In the 2006 animated movie Cars, produced by Pixar and populated by anthropomorphic motor vehicles, the automotive character of Luigi is a 1959 Fiat 500.

New Cars From Fiat Palio Stile Car Review and features with prices

New Cars From Fiat Palio Stile Car Review and features with prices
Now new upcoming Fiat Palio Stile is a B-segment hatchback car produced and distributed by Fiat Motors and Tata Motors in India.

The world-renowned Automobile designer Giorgetto Giugiaro designs Fiat Palio Stile. It has a good combination of attractive looks and smart technology.

2011 Fiat Croma 2007 wallpaper with prices, specification

2011 Fiat Croma 2007 wallpaper with prices, specification
2012 volvo Cars wallpapers and preview: http://www.upcomingcars.co.cc/2011/04/2011-volvo-850r-wagon-wallpaper-with.html