Gallery: Geneva 2009: Rinspeed E2

Gallery: Rinspeed E2

Continue reading Geneva 2009: Rinspeed's Abarth-based E2 concept

Geneva 2009: Rinspeed's Abarth-based E2 concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Mar 2009 03:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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As if the Fiat 500 didn't look cartoonish enough as it was, a special edition of the retro supermini has been created. But truth be told, the Fiat 500 Diabolika looks far more badass than the original, sporting a matte black finish with red tail fins, Borrani wire wheels, Brembos and special Pirelli tires hand carved with the Diabolika eye motif. The interior is decked out in black leather interior with all manner of custom touches from the digitally-painted "serial art" frames to the special steering wheel, shifter and handbrake lever.

Conceived in collaboration between StudioTorino, Mycrom and comic book publisher Astorina, only 50 examples of the special edition will be offered, at an as-yet undisclosed price. We're expecting to see the devilish little Cinquecento in Paris, but in the meantime you can check out the images in the gallery below.

Gallery: StudioTorino Fiat 500 Diabolika

Comically Sinister: Fiat 500 Diabolika by StudioTorino originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 14 Sep 2008 14:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The only thing that could possibly make the Fiat 500 any cutesier than it already is - short of a Hello Kitty sticker job - would be to turn it into a convertible. Castagna tried its hand at just that with the unique Tender Two concept, but the latest batch of spy shots indicate that Fiat's own is getting closer to completion.

In fact, reports now indicate that Fiat will offer not one, but two different types of convertible Cinquecentos. The one seen in the spy shots is being dubbed the "Cabrio Coach" and features a retro-style targa top, with a solid frame and a cloth folding roof sliding back in between the bodywork frames. The roof style, not unlike the back end of the bizarre Maybach Landaulet at the complete other end of the spectrum, will offer buyers a rigid frame and unmolested lines for the cloth-roofed retro-mini. A second, full convertible version is also expected, while engine options are expected to carry over from the existing model, including the 68hp 1.2-liter eight-valve four, the 100hp 1.4-liter 16-valve four, the 74hp 1.3-liter 16-valve turbodiesel and the upcoming 900cc two-cylinder engine. No telling at this point, however, if an open-air Abarth version is also in the mix.

[Source: NextAutos]

Spy Shots: Fiat 500 "Cabrio Coach" originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Sep 2008 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Click above to view Castagna's Fiat 500 wagon in hi-res

Unrelenting. That's the only way we could describe the Fiat group's assault on the MINI with more models than a Victoria's Secret photoshoot. While its sister brands Alfa Romeo and Lancia prepare their new retro-hatches to out-flank their Anglo-Saxon opponent, the Fiat division itself is branching out the 500 like a willow. Following the original hatch came the Abarth sport model, which will be followed by the cabrio, and then, as sources indicate, a longer wagon variant. The latter will target the new MINI Clubman, but without all the weird doors.

We got our first look at a Fiat 500 wagon in the ramp-up to this year's Geneva Motor Show, where carrozzeria Castagna showed off its wood-sided Cinquocente estate. Like its MINI wagons, which the coachbuilder crafted ahead of the factory's Clubman, Castagna's woodie wagon previewed the vehicle that may revive the classic Giardiniera nameplate used on the original 500 estate. Rather than stretching the wheelbase, the overhang will simply be extended, reducing costs and retaining the same front end as its more compact counterpart. Aluminum roof-rails are also tipped to join the more utile package, which could hit the market as early as 2010.

Gallery: Fiat 500

I'm looking at you, Clubman: Fiat preparing 500 wagon originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Apr 2008 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Fiat's new diminutive retromobile is selling like proverbial hot-cakes, proving right early indications of the car's initial market popularity. With an initial run of 58,000 planned for this year, the Italian automaker has already received orders for 51,000 units from its dealers in Italy alone, and another 6,000 from France... just three weeks after the car's Italian launch and one week after debuting in France. Geez, does thing emit iPhones out its tailpipe?

To meet the surging demand, this year's production will increase from 58,000 to between 65 and 67,000 units, while subsequent years' production, originally earmarked at 120,000, will be increased to 140,000. In order to support the increased output, Fiat's plant in Tychy, Poland - where Fiat also produces the Panda supermini and upcoming Ford Ka following its launch next fall - will be considerably expanded, leapfrogging Fiat's largest Italian plant in Melfi to become the conglomorate's second largest worldwide, behind the Belo Horizonte plant in Brazil.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

Gallery: Fiat 500

Fiat ramps up 500 production to meet surging demand originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 25 Jul 2007 18:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.