Filed under: Euro, Hatchbacks, Alfa Romeo, FIAT
Fiat may bring 500 mini car to the U.S.
According to an article in Automotive News, Fiat is considering exporting the new 500 microcar to the States sometime next decade. But instead of getting the rather moribund city car version, we're likely to be blessed with the Abarth 500, complete with a turbocharged 1.4-liter inline four. AN pegs output at 120 HP (or 135 HP depending on which article you read), but since the 500 plans to go head-to-head with the MINI, other reports have suggested that the lil' blown motor will be making upwards of 150 HP.
The launch of the Fiat will come soon after Alfa Romeo reestablishes itself in the U.S. in 2009, as the two dealers will coincide with each other, mainly in larger, urban areas.
[Source: Automotive News – Sub. Req.]
_opt_thumbnail.jpg)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
jgp 9:31AM (6/11/2007)
Awesome news.
Reply
FThorn 9:33AM (6/11/2007)
BRING IT!
Reply
John Paul Rowan 9:35AM (6/11/2007)
I think this is great. The more small good looking cars we can get over here the better. Bring them on...
http://www.refinedrogue.com
Reply
BLS 9:44AM (6/11/2007)
I have two questions and I don't feel like researching this my self
1. Where is the engine?
2. Which wheels are powered?
150hp would be awesome but a V2 would be pretty crazy, I think I have read that that will come after the original launch.
Reply
roadside observer 10:25AM (6/11/2007)
There's a reason why Fiat is know as "Fix It Agan Tony" ...
I can see teenage girls cooing over that car ... "it's sooooooooo cute!!"
Reply
bobby d 11:58AM (6/11/2007)
Wow, six whole posts before the very original, and HILARIOUSLY funny "Fix it again tony" remark.
jgp 8:17PM (6/11/2007)
The Fiat of 2007 isn't the Fiat of 1987. Fiat, like Renault (who also pulled out of the US due to horrendous quality), has drastically improved since the 1980s.
Phil L. 10:47AM (6/11/2007)
They're "considering" bringing it to the US "sometime next decade"?
That's still speculation, not news.
Reply
Gardiner Westbound 10:52AM (6/11/2007)
Assuming it is reliable and lacks the biodegradability of the cars Fiat previously imported, the specs are vastly superior to the Smart car Mercedes is thinking about bringing in.
Reply
Avinash machado 11:08AM (6/11/2007)
Fiats have vastly improved in quality and reliability since the time they last were sold in the US.
Reply
Jared. 11:59AM (6/11/2007)
I'd buy one.
Reply
David S. 12:34PM (6/11/2007)
The problem with FIAT in the US was the dealer network. The fact that the cars had poor rustproofing was an ancillary problem. With the cars coming out of modern Ferrari/Maserati/Alfa dealers, getting good scheduled service shouldn't be an issue this time around.
Plus, you know, it's not the 70's anymore.
I like the Abarth model just fine, but I think they'd be well served to include some of the lower powered (read: more efficient) models here.
Reply
rwcmick 12:41PM (6/11/2007)
I'm totaly for it, but a few words of caution. The Abarth will sell for over $20k in Europe, so the MSRP will be certainly in the mid twenties here. Fiat would only bring over a very small number to the USA to get around certain federal standards, so that tells me that out the door this little buggy would run around $30k if, and that's a big if, Fiat did bring it here.
Reply
Fabulo 4:25PM (6/11/2007)
1. Use of "moribund" was not exactly spot on.
2. Even in city trim, I'd rather have this than a "smart".
Reply
Colin Smith 4:41PM (6/11/2007)
#4
Front wheel drive - front engine!
The V2 turbo comes in about 2010. Should have 90 -110 bhp and be good for 70 - 80 mpg (Imperial).
PS, It's fully galvanized, like all Fiats now, so no rust, and it's based on the Panda (new), which scores very highly indeed for reliability.
And the 1.4 turbo used in other Fiats puts out 120 or 150 bhp, depending on the chipping.
This car is fun!
Reply
ebm 5:14PM (6/11/2007)
That would be awesome. Is this being made in Poland or Italy. If it is made in Italy, it would be the next best thing to a Mini or even better!
I think Fiat should have a Hyundai/Suzuki like warranty
and be made well enough not to be known as Fix It Again
Tony(Saparano).
Reply
ebm 5:23PM (6/11/2007)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlNBSEk9Zv0&mode=related&search=
Reply
Don 7:41PM (6/11/2007)
I don't have any hope for this thing getting outstanding mileage when the 3-cylinder Smart only gets 40 mpg.
Reply
Colin Smith 9:37AM (6/12/2007)
#18
Poland. Fiat has had a factory there for over thirty years. It'll come down the same line as the Panda. Very good factory by the way.
As for economy; the 1400 (100bhp) should be good for 35 - 45 (Imp) realtime, while the diesel should give something in the high 50s. These are the same engines as in the current Panda. The 500 has a slightly wider track than the Panda and a minimally longer wheelbase - to deal with the power output of the turbo. So it's slightly larger, but still four inches shorter than the Mini. (Just over an inch narrower and three inches higher by the way). Both cars are hugely larger than their originals, sadly, but now they have to be able to drive into concrete blocks and stuff, and have lots of kit, like central locking, stereos and climate control.
The fuel consumption of the V2, arriving in three years, can only be speculative for now, although Fiat speaks of a 20% improvement over the current 1200cc motors, which give 69bhp. So, that'll be 30 more bhp and an economy improvement of 20%. Sounds good to me.
Reply
Wants a Mac 3:56PM (6/12/2007)
This is great news! Finally our younger generations will find out what it's like to actually have an import that breaks more than a domestic, and costs three times as much to get repaired! Ah, the good old days of shady import mechanics fixing X19s and spyders, charging hundreds for things like fuel pumps that make even the British mechs feel ashamed...
Reply