Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Geneva Preview: Rinspeed's E2 delivers a Fiat 500 with a split personality]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/25/geneva-preview-the-rinspeed-e2/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/25/geneva-preview-the-rinspeed-e2/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/25/geneva-preview-the-rinspeed-e2/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Click above for a high-res gallery of the Rinspeed E2

The mad Wissenschaftlers at Rinspeed have come up with a dual-mode Fiat 500 Abarth that gets you more power and better gas mileage - just not at the same time. Rinspeed started with the 500 Abarth that has a standard 135 horsepower, and they've given it a new engine management system that has one mode for the city and one for the highway.

In "Commuting" mode the has use of up to 60 hp, which is forty fewer horses than the bog standard petrol 500, but you'll be rewarded with almost 59 miles-per-gallon. Press a button on the console to go to "Highway" mode and you get 160 hp, which is the same hp number for the 500 Abarth SS, but it costs you a tad of frugality at 33 mpg. There aren't many ways we could think of to make the 500 better, but this trick could be one of them. You can read the press release after the jump, and check out the high-res gallery below.

Gallery: Rinspeed E2


[Source: Rinspeed]

Continue reading Geneva Preview: Rinspeed's E2 delivers a Fiat 500 with a split personality

Geneva Preview: Rinspeed's E2 delivers a Fiat 500 with a split personality originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 25 Feb 2009 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abarthcoupee2economyfiatfiat 500fiat 500 abarthfiat 500 abarth ssFiat500Fiat500AbarthFiat500AbarthSsgeneva motor showGenevaMotorShowgreenhatchbackrinspeedrinspeed e2RinspeedE2Wed, 25 Feb 2009 13:28:00 EST<![CDATA[New details on Audi S1 emerge]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/06/new-details-on-audi-s1-emerge/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/06/new-details-on-audi-s1-emerge/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/06/new-details-on-audi-s1-emerge/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Image removed at owner's request.

Auto Express got the inside dope on the upcoming Audi S1, and the the compact hatch has its sights set on the MINI Cooper JCW, Fiat 500 Abarth SS, Alfa Romeo MiTo GTA and Volvo C30. Based on the new Audi A1, the S1 will feature a cranked up version of VW/Audi's Twincharger 1.4L TSI four tweaked to produce 200 hp and 221 ft-lb of torque. Power might be down compared to the S1's competitors, but expect the three-door to hold its own with a rear-biased quattro setup, a seven-speed S-Tronic twin-clutch gearbox and a lowered and stiffened suspension that might feature Audi's magnetic dampers. AE is projecting a 0-60 time of around six seconds, an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph and a combined fuel economy of 35 mpg.

The car should look as good as it moves, with styling that apes the metroproject quattro we saw in Tokyo last year. Expect an aggressive bodykit, 19-inch alloys, roof spoiler, and chrome accents. Inside, you'll find a flat-bottomed steering wheel, sport seats and aluminum pedals, along with a version of Audi's mobile electronic device. The dash-mounted Audi iPhone-alternative can actually control some of the car's systems remotely, but we wouldn't be surprised if the system doesn't make it to production for at least another two years. The baby S3 won't be is cheap, so expect the S1 to start at almost double the A1's £13,000 starting price when sales begin abroad next year.

Gallery: 2010 Audi S1 rendering


[Source: Auto Express]

New details on Audi S1 emerge originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alfa romeo mitoalfa romeo mito gtaAlfaRomeoMitoAlfaRomeoMitoGtaaudi a1audi s1AudiA1AudiS1fiat 500fiat 500 abarthfiat 500 abarth ssFiat500Fiat500AbarthFiat500AbarthSsmini coopermini cooper jcwMiniCooperMiniCooperJcwvolvo c30VolvoC30Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Paris 2008: Fiat 500 Abarth esseesse]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/03/paris-2008-fiat-500-abarth-esseesse/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/03/paris-2008-fiat-500-abarth-esseesse/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/03/paris-2008-fiat-500-abarth-esseesse/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click above for high-res gallery of the Fiat 500 Abarth esseesse

Abarth, the high-performance wing of Fiat, got to finally unveil its hotted up version of the 500 hatch at the 2008 Paris Motor Show. The 500 Abarth esseesse (that's "SS" in Italian) takes Fiat's throwback three-door and adds a road-hugging ground effects kit with a new lower front fascia, Abarth-spec 17-inch white wheels, a lowered sport suspension and, most importantly, a turbocharged 1.4L four-cylinder producing 160 hp and a peak torque rating of 170 lb-ft in "sport mode". We thought Abarth would fit the 500 esseesse with a six-speed transmission, but the specs reveal that it will be one cog short with a five-speed manual. Still, Abarth claims it will claw its way to 62 mph in 7.4 seconds and reach a top speed of 131 mph. Performance specs aside, we bet drag racing and runs to the rev limiter aren't half as much fun in the 500 esseesse as simply dashing down a twisty mountain pass.

Gallery: Paris 2008: Fiat 500 Abarth esseesse LIVE

Continue reading Paris 2008: Fiat 500 Abarth esseesse

Paris 2008: Fiat 500 Abarth esseesse originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Oct 2008 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fiat 500fiat 500 abarthfiat 500 abarth esse-essefiat 500 abarth esseessefiat 500 abarth ssFiat500Fiat500AbarthFiat500AbarthEsse-esseFiat500AbarthEsseesseFiat500AbarthSsparis motor showparis2008parismotorshowFri, 03 Oct 2008 13:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Paris Preview: Fiat Abarth 500 esse esse revealed]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/22/paris-preview-fiat-abarth-500-esse-esse-revealed/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/22/paris-preview-fiat-abarth-500-esse-esse-revealed/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/22/paris-preview-fiat-abarth-500-esse-esse-revealed/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click above for a high-res gallery of the Fiat 500 Abarth Esseesse

The first official images of the production Fiat 500 Abarth esseesse (SS) have made their way onto the Web and as suspected, it's as racy as a hot hatch can get.

The esseesse is fitted with a full body kit consisting of a new front fascia, lower side skirts and a redesigned rear bumper housing a diffuser and pair of chrome exhaust tips, while 17-inch (?) wheels and a small spoiler round out the appearance package.

Inside, a set of bolstered buckets keep drivers planted in the bends and expect a revised IP, red trim and Abarth logos emblazoned into the dash. No engine specs have been released yet, but expect the turbocharged 1.4-liter to put around 160 hp through a six-speed manual before it reaches the front wheels through a Q2 Torsen C limited slip differential.

All the details will be revealed next week when we make the trek across the Atlantic to cover the Paris Motor Show. Stay tuned.

Gallery: Fiat 500 Abarth Esseesse


[Source: Autoblog.it]

Paris Preview: Fiat Abarth 500 esse esse revealed originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 22 Sep 2008 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>500abarthesseessefiatfiat 500 abarth esseessefiat 500 abarth ssFiat500AbarthEsseesseFiat500AbarthSsparisparis 2008paris motor showParis2008ParisMotorShowssMon, 22 Sep 2008 20:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Spy Shots: Fiat 500 Abarth SS]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/21/spy-shots-fiat-500-abarth-ss/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/21/spy-shots-fiat-500-abarth-ss/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/21/spy-shots-fiat-500-abarth-ss/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Fiat is set to debut the high performance version of its fashionable 500 -- possibly in October at the Paris Motor Show -- and spy shots have revealed that development is well underway. If fans of the retro-mobile were let down by the Abarth model's relatively puny 133-horsepower and sub-eight-second run to 60, the SS model will improve those numbers considerably. For its range-topping city car, Fiat is likely to fit a revised turbocharged engine offering an estimated 160 horses along with the Q2 Torsen C limited slip differential from Alfa Romeo.

The latest round of spy shots for the expected SS prove that the Italians are masters of restraint. Despite looking very similar to the plain-jane 500, unique cues like dual exhausts and special wheels stand to differentiate the high-performance model. We also spotted some vents in the hood of the SS which are not present on the more pedestrian Abarth. This model should be able to hold its own with the other retro hot-hatch, the MINI Cooper S JCW. Speaking of which, has Fiat noticed how well the MINI brand has been selling in the States these days?

[Source: World Car Fans]

Spy Shots: Fiat 500 Abarth SS originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Aug 2008 21:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fiatfiat 500fiat 500 abarthfiat 500 abarth ssfiat 500 esse essefiat 500 ssFiat500Fiat500AbarthFiat500AbarthSsFiat500EsseEsseFiat500SsThu, 21 Aug 2008 21:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Geneva Preview: Fiat 500 convertible cometh]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/25/geneva-preview-fiat-500-convertible-cometh/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/25/geneva-preview-fiat-500-convertible-cometh/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/25/geneva-preview-fiat-500-convertible-cometh/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

You knew it was strictly a matter of time. AutoExpress is reporting that Fiat intends to bring a convertible version of its popular 500 micro-car to Geneva in March. The only vehicle that has the potential of challenging the MINI's cuteness and flickability will come with a soft-top that will attempt to keep the bulbous rooflines of the coupe model, complete with a glass rear window and doors that are fully framed. But Fiat isn't stopping there. To challenge the Cooper S, the automaker also plans to unveil the 500 Abarth SS in Geneva, packing a turbo'd 1.4-liter four producing 155 hp. Sales of both models should begin sometime towards the end of the year.

[Source: AutoExpress]

Geneva Preview: Fiat 500 convertible cometh originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Jan 2008 03:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>500abarth ssAbarthSsconvertiblefiatfiat 500 abarth ssfiat 500 convertibleFiat500AbarthSsFiat500ConvertibleFri, 25 Jan 2008 03:52:00 EST<![CDATA[Spy Shots: Fiat 500 Abarth SS]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/18/spy-shots-fiat-500-abarth-ss/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/18/spy-shots-fiat-500-abarth-ss/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/18/spy-shots-fiat-500-abarth-ss/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Before you overlook the Fiat 500 Abarth SS as just another sporty hatch that will be sold in a few select European markets, note that it could be sold in the U.S. as well as Asia-Pacific as an alternative to cars like the MINI Cooper. In July, Fiat boss Sergio Marchionne hinted that selling the 500 outside of Europe was a definite option, although nothing has been confirmed.

Abarth is now a performance line for Fiat models and the new 500 Abarth SS and its larger Fiat Grande Punto Abarth SS sibling are set to arrive in European showrooms early next year. These new spy shots depict the Fiat 500 Abarth SS, a hot little hatch with a 1.4L turbocharged engine developing a rumored 180 HP, the same amount as the larger and heavier Punto version. There will also be a sports handling pack to make sure owners can take advantage of the extra bump in power, with stiffer springs and wider tires than the base 500.

To differentiate it from the 500 minicar on which it's based, developers have also added new bumpers with larger air intakes, a set of hood scoops, a roof mounted spoiler and dual exhaust pipes.

[Source: Auto Motor Und Sport]

Spy Shots: Fiat 500 Abarth SS originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 Sep 2007 15:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>500 Abarth SS500AbarthSsAbarthAbarth SSAbarthSsFiat 500Fiat 500 Abarth SSFiat500Fiat500AbarthSsspy imagesspy picsspy shotsSpyImagesSpyPicsSpyShotsTue, 18 Sep 2007 15:32:00 EST