Fiat Blog
Video: Fiat heir makes game-winning assist at Lakers-Raptors?Filed under: Etc., Videos, Fiat, Celebrities, Humor 
Fiat heir Lapo Elkann makes the Lakers' game-winning move - Click above to watch video after the jump
Lapo Elkann is the grandson of Fiat founder Gianni Agnelli and is said to be heir to several Fiat thrones. While courtside at the Staples Center in Los Angeles watching the Lakers play the Toronto Raptors, Yahoo Sports reports that Elkann interfered in a play that gave LA the win.
With the score tied and only seconds left, the Raptors' Jose Calderon (pictured) was chasing a ball headed out of bounds when Elkann swiped it away. The Lakers were given possession and Kobe Bryant did his game-winning thing. You can see a recap of the event in the video after the jump, and for you rightfully sore Raptors fans, Elkann later apologized. Thanks for the tip, Jeffrey!
[Sources: Yahoo Sports, Goal.com]Continue reading Video: Fiat heir makes game-winning assist at Lakers-Raptors? Video: Fiat heir makes game-winning assist at Lakers-Raptors? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsRendered Speculation: Alfa 4C coming to Pebble Beach?Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Rumormill  Alfa Romeo says it achieved its objectives with the stunning 8C Competizione. Now the brand known for the quadrifoglio wants to make the same kind of splash - only bigger - and rumor has it that it will do so by unveiling an Alfa 4C at this year's Pebble Beach Concours.
Automobile reports that the 4C will be a "a compact, lightweight sports car concept," shorn of high-zoot and high-dollar goods like carbon fiber and a Ferrari engine. Instead, it will use a 250-horsepower four-cylinder and could be rear-wheel-drive. Price for the limited-to-5,000 vehicles is being estimated at €50,000 ($70,000 U.S.).
However, while the 8C was busy killin' it, the rest of the Alfa line has been busy struggling. Sales haven't exactly pleased parent company Fiat, so the fate of Alfa's (and, by extension, the the 4C) oft-planned return trip to North America is still in question. Unless and until the Giulietta and its variants prove they are winners and show Fiat the money, it looks like the message for the American Alfa will remain, "Please hold..."
[Source: Automobile]Rendered Speculation: Alfa 4C coming to Pebble Beach? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsEx-VW exec named head of Fiat North AmericaFiled under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Ford, Volkswagen, Fiat  Ex-Volkswagen and Ford executive Laura Soave has gone from creating the events that help sell cars to being the one in charge of selling them. Yes, Fiat has named Soave, the woman who helped put together the 50th Anniversary Barbie New Beetle in charge of reintroducing the Fiat brand to the United States after retreating from North America's shores more than 25 years ago. Of course, Soave, 37, has also done more substantive things, including being VW's head of advertising and communications for the company's large(ish) passenger cars and SUVs. At Ford, Soave held down various positions, including "Brand DNA Manager."
Soaves' official title as Head of the Fiat Brand for North America not only installs her at the top of the pyramid, it puts her name on the profit-and-loss bottom line and has her answering directly to Sergio Marchionne. You can read Fiat's press release after the jump.
[Source: Chrysler]Continue reading Ex-VW exec named head of Fiat North America Ex-VW exec named head of Fiat North America originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsGeneva 2010: Abarth Punto Evo takes the next stepFiled under: Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Hatchback, Fiat
Abarth Punto Evo - Click above for high-res image gallery
Getting a lot from a little. That might as well be Abarth's official slogan, translated into Italian, of course, for that added dose of Mediterranean flair. Fiat's performance division manages, first of all, to construct an entire line-up of hot hatches based on two models. And what they turn them into are genuine giant slayers.
As we reported just last week in the run-up to this year's Geneva Motor Show, the Abarth Punto Evo takes the recently revised Fiat hatchback as its basis, and upgrades it, first and foremost, with 1.6-liter turbocharged MultiAir four-bangers in either 165- or 178-horsepower guise. Add to that upgraded wheels, brakes, suspension, interior and body kit, and suddenly this scorpion-emblazoned hatchback - a decidedly more modern alternative to the 500 - packs a real sting.
For better or worse, though, while its much-loved retro stablemate may finally make it Stateside in the near future, no such plans are known for the Punto in any form, so enjoy the live photos from the show floor in the high-res gallery below and the details in the press release after the jump.
Photos by Noah Joseph / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.Continue reading Geneva 2010: Abarth Punto Evo takes the next step Geneva 2010: Abarth Punto Evo takes the next step originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 04 Mar 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsGeneva 2010: Abarth 500C blows its topFiled under: Convertible, Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Fiat
Abarth 500C - Click above for high-res image gallery
For every car, there's a prospective customer. And for a car like the Fiat 500C, a cutesy retro mini with a pseudo-cabrio sliding canvas roof, we hardly need to point out who that target demographic is. But as if to highlight what a difference the little things can make, the Abarth version is another beast entirely.
By "little things", here we mean stuff like a 140-horsepower, 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, a five-speed sequential paddle-shift transmission and a badass two-tone paint job. All that may not sound like much, but when applied to a little thing like the 500C, it represents the difference between the stock Fiat's potential customer and the car nut who takes her out for an evening on the town.
If the collaborative minds at Fiat and Chrysler deem us worthy, we'd enthusiastically count ourselves among the Abarth 500C's potential customers. But for now we'll just have to enjoy admiring it on the show floor here in Geneva where it's just been unveiled, and we have the photos to prove it along with more details in the press release after the jump.
Photos by Noah Joseph / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.Continue reading Geneva 2010: Abarth 500C blows its top Geneva 2010: Abarth 500C blows its top originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Mar 2010 19:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsGeneva Preview: Abarth 500C and Punto Evo are pocket rockets we'd welcomeFiled under: Convertible, Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Hatchback, Fiat 
Abarth 500C (above) and Punto Evo (below right) - Click either for high-res image galleries
Fiat's plucky Abarth performance division manages to do a whole lot with very little. The in-house tuning garage has based their entire lineup on two Fiat hatchbacks: the Punto and the 500. So when Fiat rolled out new versions of both, it was only a matter of time until Abarth got their hands on them, and both are slated to make their debut at the fast-approaching Geneva Motor Show.
First up is the 500C. The pseudo-convertible version of the popular (and soon to be U.S.-bound) retro mini, the 500C features a retractable roof section sliding between solid roof rails. The base Fiat version is doubtlessly a fun ride, but doesn't look much like a performance driving tool. Abarth, however, seems to have done a lot to rectify that shortcoming. First, the goods: a  140-horsepower 1.4-liter turbo four mated to a five-speed robotized manual, complete with paddleshifters, drive the hot open hatch to 62 miles-per-hour in 7.9 seconds. Complementing the added oomph are bigger wheels and brakes, a sportier suspension, an aggressive body kit and a two-tone paint scheme that, to our eyes, does the shape some big favors in the attitude department.
The second model starts with the new Punto Evo - a recently revised version of Fiat's bread-and-butter hatchback - and gives it a shot of adrenaline, courtesy of a 165-hp 1.4-liter turbocharged MultiAir four. A 178-hp Esse-Esse version of the Abarth Punto Evo will be available from launch as well, but buyers looking for the added boost in retro-cabrio form will presumably have to wait a little longer for the Abarth 500C Esse-Esse to come along. Press release after the jump, and images in the galleries below.
[Source: Abarth]Continue reading Geneva Preview: Abarth 500C and Punto Evo are pocket rockets we'd welcome Geneva Preview: Abarth 500C and Punto Evo are pocket rockets we'd welcome originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Feb 2010 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsThat'll Fix It: Chrysler may drop Sebring name at next refreshFiled under: Sedan, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat 
2010 Chrysler Sebring - Click above for high-res image gallery
New products seem to be a scarce commodity at Chrysler, but a recent raft of reports emanating from Auburn Hills and, perhaps more importantly Turin, Italy, shows that storm clouds are gathering near The Pentastar's new product desert.
Chrysler brass recently gave members of the Economic Club of Chicago luncheon a sneak peak at the new Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger, along with information about the arrival of the Fiat 500 by the end of 2010. Now the Detroit Free Press reports that Fiat/Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne is talking major refresh for the Dodge Avenger and the Chrysler Sebring by the end of the year. And that's not all.
The Freep quotes Chrysler's multi-tasking CEO as saying that the Avenger/Sebring architecture has been torn apart and "You'll see a completely different animal. We're having a discussion about what name this animal should have. The jury is still out." The report goes on to say that it will be the Sebring that receives the name change, which makes sense considering the fact that Avenger sales have held up considerably (and relatively) better than the Sebring since both vehicles launched. Chrysler claims that the goal is to make changes where midsize customers will notice.
Stephanie Brinley at AutoPacific Group in Troy reportedly told the Free Press that Chrysler is somewhat limited in what it can accomplish with a refresh, but changes to ride and handling could be significant - and there's plenty of room for improvement. Another positive change could come under the hood of both vehicles, as Chrysler is working with Fiat on new engine technology, including the Italian automaker's Multiair tech, which may or may not find its way into the downtrodden sedans.
We have no idea if changing the name of the Sebring will wash away all the pain inflicted by a truly bad sedan, but we're thinking that at this point no changes could hurt more than the status quo. We're hoping the refresh is thorough enough to get us interested in The Pentastar's midsize offerings, but we're going to have to take a Missouri-style "show me" stance before believing it.
[Source: Detroit Free Press]That'll Fix It: Chrysler may drop Sebring name at next refresh originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Feb 2010 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsMarchionne: Alfa Romeo back in the U.S. by 2012Filed under: Chrysler, Alfa Romeo, Fiat
Alfa Romeo 159 - Click above for high-res image gallery
It's been 15 years since Alfa Romeo last sold vehicles in the U.S. market, but according to Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne, we won't have to wait much longer for a chance to own a vehicle donning the Cross and Serpent. Automotive News is reporting that Marchionne insisted that Alfa will return Stateside in the next 24 months, adding: "I'm a lot more confident now that Alfa Romeo will reconstitute a product offering that is acceptable globally, and more in particular in the United States and Canada."
To make the jump to the U.S. and Canada, Alfa will reportedly need to rely on its newest sibling Chrysler for the appropriate platforms. AN sources say that the most likely Alfas to make the trans-Atlantic journey are the successors to the 159 and 166, but those vehicles could be sitting on Chrysler platforms when they make their way to production. The 159 replacement would reportedly be built in the U.S. with a scheduled 2012 arrival and it could rest atop Chrysler's "compact wide" midsize architecture. The range may eventually also spawn both a sedan and wagon. AN indicates that the 166 successor could be matched up with The Pentastar's large rear drive platform that currently underpins the Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300, with the vehicle being built at Chrysler's Brampton, Ontario plant. The 147 replacement that is scheduled to be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show will apparently not be coming to North America.
We're really hoping Alfas will in fact arrive on our shores within the next couple years, but we've certainly witnessed this song and dance before. There is no question that Fiat has to do something with Alfa, though, as global sales that have gone from 203,000 in 2000 to 102,000 in 2009 won't cut it for long.
[Source: Automotive News - sub. req.]Marchionne: Alfa Romeo back in the U.S. by 2012 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Feb 2010 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsReport: Two Fiat-based small cars to replace PT Cruiser, Caliber in 2012Filed under: Geneva Motor Show, Crossover, Hatchback, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Alfa Romeo, Fiat 
Late last year, Alfa Romeo previewed the all-new Giulietta ahead of its reveal at next month's Geneva Motor Show. While the five-door hatch is enough to make Stateside consumers weak in the knees - particularly in Quadrifoglio Verde trim - the impact in the U.S. figures to be much more substantial.
According to a new report by Automotive News, the underpinnings of the Giulietta are set to proliferate throughout Fiat's range in the coming years, and of the one million vehicles the automaker plans to build off the new architecture annually, the Chrysler group will account for around 700,000.
 Fiat and Chrysler are currently working on a widened version of the platform - appropriately dubbed "Compact Wide" - and seven new models for Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep will use the new underpinnings, including the replacement for the Chrysler PT Cruiser and Dodge Caliber in 2012. And judging by Fiat's description, it's a helluva platform.
Aimed to compete with the new Audi A1 and BMW 1 Series, the platform uses 84 percent high and ultrahigh strength steel, a McPherson front and a dual-link rear suspension, both of which will use aluminum components (front and rear arms, along with the crossmember).
The platform comes in around 10 percent lighter than its predecessor thanks to the use of aluminum and magnesium, and is designed to fit a transverse engine and can be adapted for either front- or all-wheel drive applications.
On a related side note, during last week's Economic Club of Chicago luncheon in which Ralph Gilles, Dodge CEO and Chrysler Group design head, dropped a a handful of interesting tidbits about the future of the automaker, he also showed a few teasers of upcoming products. Included in the presentation were images of the new 300C and Jeep Grand Cherokee, along with the the rendering above, a new subcompact product from Dodge, almost assuredly the next Caliber. Combined with the new platform and Fiat's Multiair engines, we may finally have a credible contender in the compact arena from Chrysler. And it's about damn time.
[Sources: Automotive News, AutoBird]Report: Two Fiat-based small cars to replace PT Cruiser, Caliber in 2012 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Feb 2010 12:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsGilles: Fiat 500 on sale in U.S. by the end of 2010Filed under: Coupe, SUV, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Fiat 
Fiat 500 - Click above for high-res image gallery
Ralph Gilles, Dodge CEO and Chrysler Group design head, has just wrapped up an address to the Chicago Economic Club that was peppered with several choice quotes and quips. You can read the Chrysler's PR-filtered version on its Twitter feed, but here are our favorites:
From the true: "Brands and companies don't die. They are victims of homicide."
To the sublime: "Viper important to image of "my brand" [Dodge]"
To the ridiculous: "The further away you are from Detroit the less you know the facts about the auto industry."
To the more ridiculous: "I liken management to X-Men... all have special abilities."
To the funny/creepy: Ad agency interviewed him before creating Super Bowl spot. "I had to smoke a cigarette," afterwards, he joked.
To the important: "Fiat 500 on sale in U.S. at end of the year"
That last bit coincides with earlier reports that the Fiat 500 could reach the States as early as this year as a 2011 model. Although the 500's importation into the U.S. has been fast-tracked, there's still some question about whether it will meet U.S. crash and safety standards. We expect to have an exact on sale date soon, and Gilles also said that the all-new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee is due to go on sale within the next three months.
[Source: Chrysler via Twitter]Gilles: Fiat 500 on sale in U.S. by the end of 2010 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Feb 2010 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsReport: Pope puts smackdown on Fiat, backs striking Italian plant workersFiled under: Europe, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Plants/Manufacturing, Fiat 
We're not entirely sure what keeping Fiat jobs in Italy has to do with the Catholic Church - other than the fact that the Pope was given a Ducato van from the automaker last year - but we guess that's not really any of our business, right? Whatever the case, Pope Benedict XVI has urged Fiat and the Italian government to keep Italian workers employed. "Everything possible must be done to save jobs that are in danger, especially in areas in crisis such as Termini Imerese," said the Pope.
Last Wednesday, at least two-thirds of Italy's 80,000 Fiat workers (including those for Ferrari and Maserati) went on strike to protest the planned closure of Fiat's Termini Imerese plant. The company's smallest plant, the facility is located on the island of Sicily, and Fiat claims shipping parts to the remote location is too expensive.
In the end, though, it all seems for naught, as Fiat has signaled that it still plans to move forward with the plant's closure. According to the Italian government, there have been seven separate proposals to purchase the plant and convert it for another use, perhaps even as a supermarket or Ikea store.
[Source: NPR, Business Week]Report: Pope puts smackdown on Fiat, backs striking Italian plant workers originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 05 Feb 2010 17:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiat Powertrain Technologies to buy General Motors stake in Polish engine plantFiled under: Europe, Plants/Manufacturing, GM, Fiat, Diesel  One of the last vestiges of the aborted partnership between Fiat and General Motors is coming to a close. An engine plant in Bielsko-Biala, Poland, has been jointly owned by GM and Fiat Powertrain Technologies (FPT). FPT has reached an agreement with GM to buy out the American company's stake.
The plant builds the 1.3-liter Multijet diesel four cylinder that is used in an array of vehicles from both companies including the Opel Corsa and Astra and Fiat 500 and Punto.
The plant will continue building the same engine under Fiat management and GM will continue using the engine. No purchase price has been revealed for GM's stake. The press release is after the jump.
[Source: General Motors] Continue reading Fiat Powertrain Technologies to buy General Motors stake in Polish engine plant Fiat Powertrain Technologies to buy General Motors stake in Polish engine plant originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Feb 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiat unites Maserati, Abarth, Alfa Romeo under one CEOFiled under: Europe, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Maserati, Alfa Romeo, Fiat  With the unification of Fiat and Chrysler, we're been expecting major changes in the corporate structure of the two automakers and their various brands. Most recently, Lancia chief executive Olivier Francois was named head of the Chrysler division, leading to reports that the two brands - similarly positioned in the sub-luxury premium segment - will be integrated into one unit. Now similar reports place the Abarth, Maserati and Alfa Romeo brands under common leadership.
Let's get ready to play musical chairs for a moment... This news comes with the appointment of Harald Wester as CEO of Alfa Romeo. In his new role, Wester replaces Sergio Cravero, who himself was recently promoted from the brand's communications directorate to serve as a replacement for the departing Luca de Meo who will change to a new role as head of product planning for the entire Fiat Group.
Wester, meanwhile, retains not only his roles as group chief technical officer, but also as CEO of both the Abarth and Maserati brands. As a result, we can expect to see a deeper level of collaboration between these performance-oriented brands within the expanding Fiat empire. Details in the press release after the jump.
[Source: Fiat]Continue reading Fiat unites Maserati, Abarth, Alfa Romeo under one CEO Fiat unites Maserati, Abarth, Alfa Romeo under one CEO originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 27 Jan 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiat Punto Evo bows, looks goodFiled under: Budget, Hatchback, Fiat 
2010 Fiat Punto Evo - Click above for high-res image gallery
We never really considered ourselves the Fiat Punto kind, but the 2010 Evo variant strikes a chord, and for a little guy it comes with a lot of kit. The Blue&Me interface will be available on all trim levels, providing control of all the car's major functions, along with a mobile phone, MP3 player and touch-screen navigation. On top of that will be rain sensors, ESP with Hill Holder, engine start-stop and adaptive cornering fog lights.
There will be two chassis options: Grande Punto and Sporting, which both come with a "sport chassis" and "more assertive looks;" and Comfort. There are five engines to choose from: four of the firm's new MultiAir, and MultiJet II diesel models, from a 1.3-liter, 75-horsepower MultiJet to 1.4-liter, 135-hp MultiAir turbo, and a vanilla 1.4-liter, 77-hp gas variant. A sixth engine choice, the 1.6-liter MultiJet with 120 hp, comes in October.
We could tell you more about it but Fiat has graciously composed a textbook-length press release on the car. You'll find it after the jump, and lots of pretty pictures in the high-res gallery below.
[Source: Fiat]Continue reading Fiat Punto Evo bows, looks good Fiat Punto Evo bows, looks good originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Jan 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiat previews updated Abarth Punto Evo, touring car to follow?Filed under: Performance, Europe, Hatchback, Fiat 
Where there's smoke, there's fire. So it was natural to expect that, with the debut of the mildly facelifted Fiat Punto Evo and its smoked headlights, we might expect an updated version of the fire-breathing Abarth to go with it. And this, according to reports, is our first look at just such a hot hatch.
A revised fascia isn't the only change the new Abarth Punto Evo brings to the table. Confirming earlier reports, the new Scorpion will get a bump in power from 155 horsepower to 170, thanks to the use of Fiat's new MultiAir engine technology. But that's just the base Abarth. The even hotter EsseEsse model is tipped to have 200 hp on tap, perfect for doing battle with the recently revised Clio Renaultsport 200. The use of Fiat's new dual-clutch gearbox is also reportedly in the mix, along with some LED lighting.
In a related development, Scottish racing team If Motorsport is reported to be considering bringing the Punto Abarth into the British Touring Car Championship. The adoption of new, low-cost NGTC rules for the 2011 series is the impetus, and if recent competition-spec Abarth machines are anything to go by, the BTCC could have a real thrasher on its hands.
[Source: Cardisiac via rmpgo.com, Autosport]Fiat previews updated Abarth Punto Evo, touring car to follow? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Jan 2010 07:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiat releases revised 1.3-liter Multijet diesel and new hueFiled under: Hatchback, Fiat, Design/Style 
Fiat 500 by Diesel - Click above for high-res image gallery
What better place to introduce a new set of duds than at a fashion show? Fiat chose the "Bread & Butter" youth fashion show in Berlin to debut a new color for its Fiat 500 by Diesel. The limited edition Diesel has been available in black and green up until now, with 6,000 of the planned 10,000 units already sold. Those still in the market for a 500 by Diesel can now choose to have their Cinquecento slathered in the newly available "Midnight Indigo" blue, which was specially chosen because it "recalls the denim used to make jeans," according to Fiat.
Now, a new body color usually isn't enough to warrant a whole post, even a sharp-looking dark denim blue. No, Fiat has more to offer in this update than just the cool new hue. Underhood they've stuffed their latest Euro 5 compliant 1.3-liter Multijet II engine. The second-generation turbodiesel features the company's Start&Stop system and is good for 95 horsepower.
The Indigo version also gets the same upgrades as its predecessors - 16" alloy wheels, a faux rear air intake, satin chrome trim, and yellow brake calipers on the 1.4-liter, 100 horsepower version. Inside you'll find a dark denim fabric with yellow stitching that features the signature Diesel fifth pocket, the famous Mohican head on the shift knob and more satin chrome highlights. The full press release can be found after the jump and there's a pair of big images available in the gallery below.
[Source: Fiat]Continue reading Fiat releases revised 1.3-liter Multijet diesel and new hue Fiat releases revised 1.3-liter Multijet diesel and new hue originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Jan 2010 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsIt's a Barbie World: Fiat UK launches special-edition 500 PinkFiled under: Hatchback, Fiat, UK
Fiat 500 Pink - Click above for high-res image
In case British motorists were left with any doubt that the Fiat 500 is targeted mainly at hairdressers and the Sex and the City crowd, Fiat UK has launched the special edition you see here.
Called, appropriately enough, the Fiat 500 Pink, the special retro-mini is, well... decked out in pink. Nothing much more about it than that, really. It's based on the 1.2 Lounge trim level, and comes with start-stop engine management, a sunroof, a black interior (complimented by the same shade of Pepto as the exterior) and some special badges here and there.
Sorta like the Barbie edition then, only without the Barbie branding. A far cry from an Abarth it may be, but all in all it's not a bad value, packing £1,500 worth of optional extras for only a £1,000 premium. Details in the press release after the jump.
[Source: Fiat UK]Continue reading It's a Barbie World: Fiat UK launches special-edition 500 Pink It's a Barbie World: Fiat UK launches special-edition 500 Pink originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Jan 2010 09:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsReport: Marchionne says Chrysler and Lancia could be merged within a yearFiled under: Concept Cars, Europe, Crossover, Chrysler, Fiat, Lancia 
The rebadging of things to come? - Click above for high-res image gallery
Remember the nameless Chrysler Lancia (pictured above) from last week's Detroit Show? According to a report from Autocar, there's a good chance that the vehicle (a reskinned Delta) is more than just an exercise in filling up space in Cobo Hall. Fiat's boss Sergio Marchionne is saying that Chrysler could be fully merged with Fiat by the end of the year.
Why would Mr. Marchionne merge two such seemingly distinct and storied brands into one? Because they fill holes in each others' lineups. "In Europe, Lancia is an undersized, underdeveloped brand, with nothing bigger than the Delta. Chrysler, which has a true global reach, has nothing smaller. Put them together and you have a full line-up," said the boss.
As for last week's Pentastar badged Lancia Delta, it could happen... maybe. "The rebadged Delta could quite possibly make a Chrysler vehicle," explained Marchionne, who went on to explain that a Chrysler'd Delta would not conflict with Lancia. Why? Fiat won't be selling any Lanica-badged Lancias in the United States. If that's the case, the merger would be similar to how Renault-Nissan does business, and hopefully not as... how to put this... plain rotten as DaimlerChrysler turned out.
[Source: Autocar]Report: Marchionne says Chrysler and Lancia could be merged within a year originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 20 Jan 2010 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsReport: C-EVO-based Jeep on the wayFiled under: SUV, Crossover, Jeep, Fiat, Rumormill 
Three months ago, Chrysler - under the control of Italian automaker Fiat after going through bankruptcy proceedings in the United States - unveiled a sweeping five-year business plan that would either replace or comprehensively rework every single product in the Pentastar's lineup. Included amongst the casualties will be the Jeep Patriot and Compass twins at the end of 2012.
Industry analysts have widely speculated that America would get a version of the Fiat Panda wearing the famous seven-slot Jeep grille. That vehicle would occupy the small end of the market, meaning that Jeep would need something to fall size-wise between it and the larger Grand Cherokee.
According to Autocar, Jeep will get another new CUV using an as-yet-unknown nameplate (Liberty?) that would be based on the Fiat's C-EVO platform - which will also be used for a number of Chrysler's midsize sedans and crossovers. We would imagine that the Jeep version would get suitably capable off-road equipment, but that remains to be seen.
[Source: Autocar]Report: C-EVO-based Jeep on the way originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 18 Jan 2010 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsReport: Alfa Romeo's U.S. launch delayedFiled under: Detroit Auto Show, Alfa Romeo, Fiat 
We were getting amped up for Alfa Romeo's return to the U.S. and the chance to drive Breras and Guilietta's on our favorite roads, and then Fiat head Sergio Marchionne delivers what they call a "smackdown" at the Detroit Auto Show. According to Autocar, Marchionne says that Fiat has to show it can sell enough cars in America to make the enterprise worthwhile on its own, which we take to mean he's not content with Alfa being a critically loved but money-losing division of a profitable conglomerate. If Alfa can't prove the worth of flying to America, then it will stay grounded in Europe. We have but one word to say to this news: maledizione!
[Source: Autocar]Report: Alfa Romeo's U.S. launch delayed originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Jan 2010 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments |
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