Autoblog

Abarth rolling in to Frankfurt with three new specials

Noah Joseph — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 14:33:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Coupe, Performance, Europe, Hatchback, Fiat

Fiat's performance division, Abarth doesn't have a lot to work with. Just two models, in fact, but that hasn't stopped the Scorpion marque from making the most of the 500 and Punto ranges. Clearly, there's a lot of room for hot-hatch workings. Just take a look at what Abarth has in store for the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show.

On the floor of the Frankfurt Messe, Abarth will present three new vehicles. Well, new derivatives or editions of existing vehicles, anyway.

Having sold 1,695 examples of the 695 Tributo Ferrari - the fastest 500 to date - Abarth is moving on to the 695 Competizione. Packing the same 180-horsepower 1.4-liter 16-valve turbo four, paddle-shift transmission, 17-inch alloys and Brembo brakes as the Ferrari edition, the Competizione does away with the Ferrari logos and bridges the gap to the Assetto Corsa but legal for street use.

Next up is the 500 Cabrio Italia to celebrate, once again, the 150th anniversary of Italian unification. Underneath the special blue paint job and the folding roof panel is a 160-horsepower turbo four with overboost function and five-speed manual.

Finally the Punto SuperSport takes the existing EsseEsse to new lengths with a 180-horsepower 1.4-liter MultiJet engine, Koni suspension and tricked out interior with Sabelt buckets and Jaeger instruments. You can scope out all three in the high-res image gallery and the press release after the jump, but we'll have more up-close-and-personal shots from the Frankfurt show for you in just a couple more weeks.

Continue reading Abarth rolling in to Frankfurt with three new specials

Abarth rolling in to Frankfurt with three new specials originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Aug 2011 14:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Fiat 500C

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Budget, New Car Reviews, Fiat

Fashion-Forward Fiat For Fun

Northern California is an odd place - and that's just the cars. For every Toyota Prius-driving eco-yuppie, you'll find a diehard Datsun 510 enthusiast. And you can't toss a bushel of puntarelle without hitting a grease-powered Mercedes-Benz in the East Bay. But here's a better case in point: A few weeks back, I was driving an arrest-me-red Chevrolet Camaro SS Convertible and it barely turned a head. One week later, there was a Mercedes-Benz E350 Bluetec parked in my driveway and I couldn't stop fielding questions.

Like I said, odd.

So when I snagged the keys to a 2012 Fiat 500C, I wasn't sure how it would be received by the mismatched masses of the Bay Area. Less than 10 miles later, I lost count of the number of thumbs-up and double-takes I got while crossing the San Mateo Bridge. Surprising? Not really.

After all, this is the coast that seared the original Volkswagen Beetle into the national consciousness and took to budget compacts years before Detroit had a clue. But while we've driven the 500 in all its guises, one question remained: Could you really live with something this damned cute?

Continue reading 2012 Fiat 500C

2012 Fiat 500C originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Jul 2011 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fiat redefines "trunk space" for MillionTreesNYC initiative

Noah Joseph — Thu, 05 May 2011 08:29:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Etc., Plants/Manufacturing, Specialty, Fiat

Fiat 500C for MillionTreesNYC - Click above for high-res image

Narrowing down the list of things for which New York City is known can be a daunting task, but its parks are arguably up there. Now the city is planning to plant a million new trees across its five boroughs over the course of the next decade, and Fiat has signed on to help.

As part of the MillionTreesNYC initiative, Fiat North America has donated eight 500C mock-ups with 12-foot pear trees planted in them to be installed along Canal Street and Avenue of the Americas. Eventually, the cars will be ~~towed~~ removed, after which the trees will be permanently planted, sans the Italian wheels. Feel free to read through the very short press release after the break.

Continue reading Fiat redefines "trunk space" for MillionTreesNYC initiative

Fiat redefines "trunk space" for MillionTreesNYC initiative originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 May 2011 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New York 2011: Fiat 500c says spalancata e lasciare che il sole

Jeff Glucker — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 15:38:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Convertible, Fiat

2012 Fiat 500c - Click above for high-res image gallery

That bit of Italian in the title? It means "open wide and let the sun in"... we think. Either way, the 2012 Fiat 500c is doing just that. Maybe not the sun, but it is letting in the bright lights of the New York Auto Show stage.

Set to hit our shores this spring, the droptop two-door Fiat is powered by a 1.4-liter MultiAir inline-four-cylinder engine. Output is rated at 101 horsepower and 98 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a five-speed manual transmission, the powertrain is good for 38 miles per gallon on the highway.

The real magic of the 500c, however, sits in the cloth top that serves roof duty. With the press of a button, it slides back and can work like a soft sunroof or go all the way down and give occupants the sun's full monty. Check it out in the gallery below, and then click past the jump to read the full press release.

Gallery: 2012 Fiat 500c: New York 2011

Gallery: 2012 Fiat 500c

Continue reading New York 2011: Fiat 500c says spalancata e lasciare che il sole

New York 2011: Fiat 500c says spalancata e lasciare che il sole originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Apr 2011 15:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Fiat 500 Cabrio to drop its top in New York

Jeff Glucker — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 18:01:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Convertible, Fiat

Fiat 500C - Click above for high-res image gallery

Fiat is getting ready to bring 500 Cabrio to the States. According to fresh reports, the top will drop on the 500C at the upcoming 2011 New York Auto Show. Shortly after making its U.S. debut, the Fiat 500C will head to dealer showrooms in time for spring to actually appear (nevermind what the calendar says).

Click through the gallery below for a glimpse of what we can expect to see on stage at the 2011 NYIAS. After that, be sure to check out the Abarth version for what we hope will eventually come over.

Gallery: Fiat 500C

[Source: Kicking Tires]

Report: Fiat 500 Cabrio to drop its top in New York originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Mar 2011 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Too much? Chinese customer orders $670k gilded Fiat 500

Noah Joseph — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 10:05:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, China, Luxury, Fiat

Fiat 500C "La Dolce Vita" - Click above for high-res image gallery, follow the jump for video

The beauty of the Fiat 500 is that it's loaded with Italian style, but comes cheaper than anything this side of a Vespa. So if you were in the market, how much would you consider spending on a Cinquecento? $20K? Maybe $30k for a fully-loaded Abarth? How about €500,000? That's equivalent to about $670,000, and stands as the absurd price some anonymous Chinese businessman has apparently paid for a particularly ~~opulent~~ tacky example of the retro minicar.

The order came to Fenice Milano, the Italian studio whose Liberace-grade work we've reported on previously. They started with a 500C Abarth convertible, slathered it in paint infused with real 24k gold flakes, decked the interior out in teak, replaced the brightwork with more 24k gold and gave it a diamond-studded iPad docking into the dashboard. And just for good measure, they let Romeo Ferraris have at it. Their tuning jacked the stock 140-horsepower engine up to 200 hp, and they added Brembo brakes and a custom suspension for good measure.

The end result is about as nauseating an example of nouveau-riche excess as you're likely to find. If the owner thinks that by tying in his investment to a solid commodity like gold to stave off the negative effects of depreciation, he may be in for a rude awakening come resale time. Check out the video footage after the jump and the updated high-resolution image gallery below.

Gallery: Fiat 500C "La Dolce Vita" by Fenice Milano

[Source: Fenice Milano via CarScoop]

Continue reading Too much? Chinese customer orders $670k gilded Fiat 500

Too much? Chinese customer orders $670k gilded Fiat 500 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 22 Jan 2011 10:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fenice Milano strikes again with blinged-out Fiat 500C

Noah Joseph — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 09:27:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Convertible, Europe, Fiat, Luxury

Fiat 500C "La Dolce Vita" by Fenice Milano - Click above for high-res image gallery

Top down or ground up? If you're going to launch an over-the-top design statement, you'd better to both. So, hot on the tails of the Diva edition Rolls-Royce Ghost, Fenice Milano has released a similar treatment for the far more humble Fiat 500C called La Dolce Vita.

Like the Diva, the Dolce Vita is dominated by more gold trim than one might expect to see in an entire Mansory showroom. 24 karat, no less. Fenice has also tweaked the titchy Cinquicento's mechanical bits with an ECU reflash, new intake and exhaust systems and some suspension tweaks, the latter presumably to compensate for the extra weight of all that bling. Inside, the open-air cabin has been redone in teak, gold and leather, with a redesigned dashboard incorporating a rather Mini-like oversized central gauge. Details in the press release after the jump, high-res photos in the gallery below.

Gallery: Fiat 500C "La Dolce Vita" by Fenice Milano

[Source: Fenice Milano]

Continue reading Fenice Milano strikes again with blinged-out Fiat 500C

Fenice Milano strikes again with blinged-out Fiat 500C originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Oct 2010 09:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hotter versions planned as Abarth 500C and Punto Evo hit the market

Noah Joseph — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 18:59:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Europe, Hatchback, Fiat

Abarth Punto Evo and 500C - Click above for high-res image gallery

Revealed a few months ago at the Geneva Motor Show, the Abarth versions of the Fiat 500C and Punto Evo are now ready to hit European markets. But that's just the tip of the proverbial iceberg as the hot-hatch house is reportedly planning even hotter EsseEsse versions of both.

The Punto Evo Abarth - based on the recently facelifted version of the Fiat Grande Punto - packs a 1.4-liter MultiAir turbo good for 163 horsepower, but the upcoming EsseEsse version promises to boost output up to 180 horses. The 1.4-liter turbo in Abarth's version of the 500C retro cabrio, meanwhile, currently produces 138 horsepower, but is tipped to climb to 157 in Esse-Esse spec.

The 500 range is also expected to upgrade to MultiAir engines sometime within the next couple of years, along with a dual-clutch transmission for the Punto. We'll have to wait and see which engines will feature when the 500 finally makes the transatlantic voyage, but in the meantime Fiat's released a fresh batch of images of the pair of new Abarths on the road. Check 'em out in the gallery below, along with the press release after the jump.

Gallery: Abarth 500C and Punto Evo

[Sources: Autocar, Abarth]

Continue reading Hotter versions planned as Abarth 500C and Punto Evo hit the market

Hotter versions planned as Abarth 500C and Punto Evo hit the market originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Jun 2010 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fiat launches new Diesel edition 500C in Japan

Noah Joseph — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 19:01:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Europe, Japan, Fiat, Diesel

Fiat 500C by Diesel - Click above for high-res image

One of the major benefits that Fiat brought to the Chrysler table is its proficiency with diesels. This, however, is something else entirely. The latest in a series of special edition 500s created in conjunction with the Italian denimware label, the 500C by Diesel follows the fixed-roof versions and the one-off charity-benefit convertible unveiled nearly a year ago.

The special retro-cab is currently launching in Japan at Fiat's own cafe before it goes on sale next month in its home market. When it does, the limited-edition 500C by Diesel will carry a price tag equivalent to about $24k, and come in one of three color combinations, including the dark indigo with tan top pictured above. The interior also gets denim-like upholstery with yellow top-stitching. Yellow brake calipers peer out from behind the 16" alloys finished in dark satin like the rest of the muted brightwork. Check out the full details in the press release after the jump.

Gallery: Fiat 500C

[Source: Fiat]

Continue reading Fiat launches new Diesel edition 500C in Japan

Fiat launches new Diesel edition 500C in Japan originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 11 Apr 2010 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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In The Pink: Fiat releases special edition droptop 500C

Noah Joseph — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 13:01:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Fiat, UK

Fiat 500C Pink Limited Edition - Click above for high-res image

When we saw the Abarth version of the 500C in Geneva, we were suitably impressed at how beefy Fiat's performance division could make one of its most dainty (yes, dainty) products. But like there is no light without darkness and no heat without cold, here is the opposite end of the spectrum: the Fiat 500C Pink Limited Edition.

Following on the stiletto heels of the Barbie edition and the fixed-roof 500 Pink that followed, the 500C Pink is exactly what you'd expect: even pinker than that unfortunate Mansory Bentley we saw in Frankfurt. The flip side is that one look at this car is already relieving our indigestion, and leaves us craving some sort of carnival confection.

The special color scheme extends to the exterior paint, door mirrors and interior, and is complemented by chrome trim, 16-inch alloys and a smattering of other special touches. As you can see from the press release after the jump, the limited edition commands a £13,500 price tag in the UK's comparatively price-inflated market (that's around $20,600 U.S.), representing a £1,200 premium ($1,800) over the 500C 1.2 Pop model upon which it's based, but it also carries £1,870 ($2,860) worth of options.

[Source: Fiat UK]

Continue reading In The Pink: Fiat releases special edition droptop 500C

In The Pink: Fiat releases special edition droptop 500C originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Mar 2010 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva 2010: Abarth 500C blows its top

Noah Joseph — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 19:37:00 EST

Filed 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.

Gallery: Geneva 2010: Fiat 500C Abarth

Gallery: Abarth 500C

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.

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Geneva Preview: Abarth 500C and Punto Evo are pocket rockets we'd welcome

Noah Joseph — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 13:28:00 EST

Filed 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.

Gallery: Abarth 500C

Gallery: Abarth Punto Evo

[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.

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REPORT: Chrysler to bring electric Fiat 500, hatchback concept to Detroit

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 16:28:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Detroit Auto Show, Convertible, Coupe, Hatchback, Chrysler, Maserati, Ferrari, Fiat, Rumormill, Electric, Lancia

Fiat 500C - Click above for high-res image gallery

Just because Chrysler won't be holding a press conference at next month's Detroit Auto Show doesn't mean that America's third-largest automaker is coming to the party empty-handed. Far from it, in fact, assuming there's truth to the rumors that the Pentastar will be showing off both an electric version of the soon-to-be-US-bound Fiat 500 along with a Chrysler-ized version of the Lancia Delta hatchback.

While the Chrysler-branded concept is said to be nothing more than a standard-fare Delta emblazoned with Chrysler's trademark chrome fascia, the electric Fiat 500 is a bit more interesting. We've heard that the automaker's erstwhile ENVI group was disbanded and assimilated into the rest of the company's product development workforce, so we're curious to see the integration of a battery-powered drivetrain into the little urban runabout. Will it be a fully-functional vehicle or just a mock-up of what could potentially be possible?

Not surprisingly, we'll also be treated to the rest of the Fiat 500 lineup, including the 500C Cabriolet (no word on bikini-clad models) and the sporty 500 Abarth. Finally, tucked into a corner of the Chrysler booth in Detroit will also reportedly be such premium Italian machinery as the Ferrari 458 Italia and the Maserati GranCabrio. Hey... if you've got it, why not flaunt it, right?

Gallery: Fiat 500C

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req'd]

REPORT: Chrysler to bring electric Fiat 500, hatchback concept to Detroit originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Dec 2009 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Topless Hotness: Fiat reportedly planning 500C Abarth cabrio

Noah Joseph — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 09:29:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Europe, Fiat

Fiat 500C - Click above for high-res image gallery

With the Fiat 500 still selling like hotcakes, the Italian automaker's performance division is reportedly working on a new combination to further bolster interest in the retro hatch. Melding the best elements of the 500 Abarth and the new 500C convertible, Fiat is said to be preparing a 500C Abarth for launch overseas in time for the next sunny season.

Porting over the engines from the fixed-roof 500 Abarth, the cabrio would be offered with the 133hp 1.4-liter turbo four, upgradable to 157hp with the optional Esse-esse kit. But while most convertibles loose their rigidity and gain weight when the top is lopped off, the 500C's unique roof rail structure keeps torsional twist at bay - to say nothing of the Cinquecento's iconic profile. Pricing would be competitive with the new Mini Cooper Cabrio, and with both the Abarth and convertible variants expected to appear Stateside by 2011, there's a good chance Fiat will throw this one into the mix, too.

Gallery: Geneva 2009: Fiat 500C

[Source: Autocar]

Topless Hotness: Fiat reportedly planning 500C Abarth cabrio originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Jul 2009 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Elle Macpherson gets topless at Fiat 500C launch [w/VIDEO]

Domenick Yoney — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 12:31:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Green, Fiat, Lifestyle

Fiat 500C with Elle Macpherson - Click above for high-res image gallery

Fiat held a glitzy launch for the convertible version of its super hot supermini at the Whisky Mist in London the other night and swimsuit supermodel Elle Macpherson was the first in the UK to go topless, getting her very own 500C. We're told the Australian-born model and actress received the keys to the latest iteration of the Italian-built model outside her Notting Hill home and was soon overheard telling a friend how cool and sexy she thought it was. Of course, Elle knows all about cool and sexy Fiat 500s, having previously owned the original hard top version.

Other convertible-celebrating celebrities up in da club with Edoardo Agnelli, the nephew of Fiat's co-founder, included Tesla Roadster buyer and Black-Eyed Peas guy will.I.am and Sugababes' Amelle. Feel free to check out the gallery below of Elle's famous friends posing with her new ride. Americans lusting after a topless model for themselves may have to wait until 2011 before they are able to satisfy their desire. Hit the jump for a couple bonus vids of the 500C in action and the official UK launch press release.

Gallery: Fiat 500C UK launch

[Source: MS&L London]

Continue reading Elle Macpherson gets topless at Fiat 500C launch [w/VIDEO]

Elle Macpherson gets topless at Fiat 500C launch [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Jul 2009 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Four versions of Fiat 500 in the U.S. by 2011, including Abarth

Frank Filipponio — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:29:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Plants/Manufacturing, Hatchback, Fiat

2010 Fiat 500 Abarth - Click above for high-res image gallery

Four 500s by 2011. That is the latest word out of Italy concerning the adorable Fiat 500. While the Chrysler/Fiat merger chugs along, the tiny 500 is the only model that has been officially greenlighted for American consumption under the Fiat banner. To make up for that dearth of models, Fiat will apparently offer the 500 in four different flavors when it reaches these shores: hatchback, convertible, station wagon and sporty hatchback. There's also an outside chance of a micro-CUV according to this Automotive News piece.

The "sporty hatchback" will be the Abarth, Europe's 2008 Car of the Year. Chrysler/Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne calls it "our iPod." Wonder if it's too late for some co-branding. While it might seem that a sporty wagon and sporty drop-top would be fairly easy to slot into the mix (Abarth Giardiniera SS Corsa, FTW!), we'll have to make due with those four iterations for the time being. The 500 family should be in U.S. dealerships by the first half of 2011. The American-market cars will likely be produced at a Chrysler plant in the United States or in Toluca, Mexico, but there's no official word on U.S. pricing yet.

Gallery: Fiat 500 Abarth

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

REPORT: Four versions of Fiat 500 in the U.S. by 2011, including Abarth originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pics Aplenty +Video: Fiat 500 Cabrio introduced at global sales milestone

Noah Joseph — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 20:01:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Fiat

Fiat 500C - Click above for high-res image gallery

With the rampant acquisition streak Fiat's embarked on, the Italian automaker has clearly emerged as a power-broker in the global automotive industry. The auto group has always been strongest in its home market, but with the ink on the Chrysler deal still wet and more mergers and acquisitions looming on the horizon, Fiat has reached a new milestone: for the first time in the company's history, it's sold more of one model outside of Italy than within.

The model in question, it should come as no great surprise, is the 500, with 54% of sales currently take place outside its home market. The retro hatchback has been selling like hotcakes in every locale it's been introduced, and is slated to come Stateside within a couple of years.

The announcement of the 500's international sales success came at the market introduction of its convertible version, the 500 C, which goes on sale next month in Italy, France and the UK, with more markets to follow. We've loaded a whole new crop of high-resolution images into the gallery below, and posted a video after the jump to satiate all your quaint Italian cabrio fantasies, so enjoy.

Gallery: Fiat 500C

Continue reading Pics Aplenty +Video: Fiat 500 Cabrio introduced at global sales milestone

Pics Aplenty +Video: Fiat 500 Cabrio introduced at global sales milestone originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 Jun 2009 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fiat and Diesel get together for one-off 500C for AIDS auction

Noah Joseph — Tue, 19 May 2009 08:28:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Auctions, Europe, Fiat, Celebrities, Specialty

Fiat 500C by Diesel - Click above for a high-res image gallery

When the American Foundation for AIDS Research kicks off its seventeenth annual Cinema Against AIDS Gala later this month at the Cannes Film Festival, they'll be shooting to raise major coin and in the process, hopefully break their record of $7 million taken in at last year's event. Big names like former President Bill Clinton, actress Sharon Stone, movie producer Harvey Weinstein and singer Annie Lennox will be on hand to help the foundation achieve its goals, along with the special one-of-a-kind car you see here.

Melding the best elements from the Fiat 500C unveiled in Geneva this past March and the Fiat 500 Diesel Edition unveiled last fall in Paris, the Fiat 500C by Diesel features a special dark green metallic paint job and special detailing inside and out, topped by the Italian automaker's retro folding fabric roof. The plethora of Diesel logos and special denim interior trim are motivated by Fiat's 100-horsepower 1.4-liter engine in the place of the fixed-roof Diesel Cinquecento's 75hp 1.3-liter unit. Only one example will be made, and the bubble bauble will go home with the highest bidder at the charity event on May 21. Details can be found in the press release after the jump, and a pair of high-resolution photos in the gallery below.

Gallery: Fiat 500C by Diesel

[Source: Fiat]

Continue reading Fiat and Diesel get together for one-off 500C for AIDS auction

Fiat and Diesel get together for one-off 500C for AIDS auction originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 May 2009 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fiat prices 500 convertible for UK

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 08:03:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Convertible, Europe, Fiat, UK

Fiat 500 C - Click above for high-res gallery

The hotly anticipated Fiat 500 C, which was officially unveiled earlier this month at the Geneva Motor Show, has just gotten a price in the U.K. ahead of its upcoming sale date this summer. In its most basic form, the droptop Cinquocente will go for £11,300 on the road, which translates to a little over $16,000 in U.S. funds. Moving on up, buyers across the Atlantic can expect to pay £14,100 OTR for a top-of-the-line Lounge model equipped with the 1.3-liter Multijet diesel-powered engine. For what it's worth, that would equal a little over $20K in the U.S., but it's important to remember that a direct-to-dollars conversion is never an accurate measure of what an item would truly cost in the States.

All Fiat 500 C models will get an electrically operated canvas top, air conditioning, CD player with MP3 capability and seven airbags. Uplevel Lounge models get standard automatic climate control, fog lights and reversing sensors along with cool optional bits like Fiat's Blue&Me infotainment system and eco:Drive fuel-saving software. As cool as RaggaMuffin Red sounds, we'll take ours in classic white with a contrasting red roof and interior just as soon as Fiat sends the 500 C to U.S. shores. Full press release after the break.

Gallery: Geneva 2009: Fiat 500C

Gallery: Fiat 500C

[Source: Fiat]

Continue reading Fiat prices 500 convertible for UK

Fiat prices 500 convertible for UK originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Mar 2009 08:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva 2009: Fiat 500C rolls back to the 50's

Noah Joseph — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 15:39:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Geneva Motor Show, Fiat

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

Making a convertible out of a fixed-roof car inevitably takes its toll on structural rigidity, though every automaker under the sun has tried to come up with a solution. For the 500, Fiat has reached back into its history to the original 1957 Cinquocente and fitted the new one with a canvas roof folding back between solid roof rails. The resulting 500C lets the sunshine in - at least, some of it - while keeping the retro hatchback's profile, which promises a uniquely Italian answer to the cabrio equation. While we wait for the 500 to make the trip across the Atlantic, we dropped by Fiat's show stand here at the Geneva Motor Show to check out the drop-top and snapped a few photos for your viewing enjoyment. Check 'em out in the gallery below.

Gallery: Geneva 2009: Fiat 500C

Gallery: Fiat 500C

Geneva 2009: Fiat 500C rolls back to the 50's originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Mar 2009 15:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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