Autoblog

Fiat's new car-derived utility truck, the Fiorino Mk IV, has been revealed in all its Chiclet-colored glory. These small car-based working vehicles are just right for businesses that don't need the heft of the ubiquitous pickup-based cargo van here in the states, or larger Continental vehicles like the Sprinter. Horsepower will be around 75 whether buyers choose the 1.4 liter gasoline or 1.3 liter turbodiesel, plenty to haul all those tiny die-cast Eiffel towers down from port to the Champs Élysées. Continuing on the French tip, it's worth noting that the Fiorino was co-developed with PSA, which means there's also Peugeot and Citroen variants of the little van. If you don't want people to laugh at you when you tell them what you drive, you'd be best to stick with the new Fiat, though. The Citroen is named Nemo, ever so cute. Peugeot picked a moniker that sounds possibly lewd: Bipper. Call it whatever, the Fiorino blends utility, more style than you'd expect in a commercial vehicle, and a comfortable interior with carlike dynamics. Coming soon on the heels of the Fiorino will be the announcement of the "Adventure" package, which will outfit the small wagon for duty on less-improved roads in rural areas. The closest thing we've got to this in the States is the HHR Panel, cool in its own right, but alas, no feisty Italian.

[Source: Jalopnik]

Germany's Auto Motor und Sport has unearthed sketches and renderings of the upcoming Alfa Junior. Yet another car they get over there, that we wish we could have over here. Automakers usually counter hatch lust with the party line that they're not popular in America, so we'll see what Alfa puts on the US bound boats.

Based on the Fiat Grande Punto's platform, the Junior will launch in 2008. The tightly-wrapped hatch bodywork will cover power units ranging from 95 to 230 horsepower, with all wheel drive also making an appearance on the option list. There's a tinge of Gremlin in the C-Pillar, in a very stylish manner that only the Italians (and maybe the French) could get away with. Since they're targeting the 18-30 year old buyer, look for the style to remain high while Alfa attempts to hold the price down to about $16,000. Should the Junior closehaul its way westward across the Atlantic, we'll have another stylish and affordable car to mix it up with the MINI.

[Source: Auto Motor und Sport]

UPDATE: Official Press Release and engine details added

click on either image to enlarge

Back in February, Fiat previewed the look of its Grande Punto Abarth, a high-performance version of its popular hatch wearing the storied Abarth name and scorpion badge. At the Frankfurt Motor Show next month, the automaker will unveil the Grande Punto Abarth Super Sport, or 'essesse'. From what we can tell, the Abarth SS version of the Grande Punto will add a more aggressive body kit to the car on which it's based, including wider fender flares to accommodate a larger wheel/tire package, three large air intakes in the front bumper, new side mirrors, a rear spoiler that integrates with the body and a new rear bumper that wraps around two big tailpipes.

Of course, the new body kit presupposes more power, and Fiat tells us that the SS will have nearly double the power of the base model Grande Punto, which puts out around 90bhp. The SS will produce 180bhp then, around 25-30bhp more than the standard Abarth. Commensurate upgrades to the Abarth's suspension and brakes are included, as well. While Fiat is officially calling the Grande Punto Abart SS a prototype, our boys from Autoblog Spanish indicate that it's likely to see production, if only in limited numbers.

[Source: Fiat]

Click image for a gallery of the Fiat Grande Punto Super 2000 car

We like Super 2000 rally cars, as they demonstrate just how much you can do with a normally-aspirated 2.0L engine. Fiat's Grand Punto Rally is built to S2K specs and it certainly delivers the goods: 270 horsepower at 8,250 rpm, to be exact.

Now comes word from Britain's 4Car that the Italian automaker is readying a limited-run (250 units) special road car based on the Super 2000 called the Grand Punto Brutale, in what's said to be a nod to the Lancia Delta Integrale (shown at right).

"Based on" is an apt description, because 4Car reports that the Brutale will be turbocharged, which is a no-no in Super 2000. We're guessing the real similarity will be in the looks department, as the Brutale will apparently get the S2K car's bodywork and a stripped-down, racy interior. It'll also have AWD, just like the rally car. Sounds cool. Too bad we'll never see it here.

Follow the jump for a vid of the Grand Punto Super 2000 car in action, as well as a breakdown of the racer's tech specs.

[Source: 4Car]

click above image to view high-res images of the Fiat Grande Punto Abarth Preview

Before Abarth was the inhouse tuning and racing division of Fiat, it was an independant automaker and racing team. Fiat purchased the company in 1971 and, if our research proves sound, the last Abarth model by Fiat was the 1984 Ritmo 130 TC Abarth. The rebirth of the Abarth name and a new "Scorpion" logo will be spearheaded by this car, the Grande Punto Abarth Preview, a production version of which will go on sale in September. The show car that will be unveiled in Geneva features a turbocharged 1.4L petrol engine producing 150 bhp, which is 50bhp less than what we originally thought. At some point later, however, an even more powerful version with 180bhp, twice as much as the base Grande Punto, will be released.

No word on pricing or any deeper details than we've already discussed are available, so you'll have to wait until we touch down in Geneva to learn more. Also on the stand with this car will be the Grande Punto Abarth S2000, a racing version of the production model that will be entered in the 2007 Italian Rally Championship and the Intercontinental Rallye Challenge. It's powered by a much more potent 2.0L engine producing 270bhp and driving all four wheels. Both cars can be viewed in our high-resolution gallery.

[Source: Fiat via Autoblog Spanish]

A star of Fiat's display at the Istanbul International Auto Show this week is this extreme show car version of its popular Grande Punto, appropriately named the Grande Punto "Radicale." Looking for all the world like a cross between a World Rally Championship contender and a DTM racecar, the Radicale exhibits every aero-tweak known to man, including a coffee table-sized front splitter, huge vented fender flares, a rooftop air intake, and a massive rear diffuser - all topped off with a huge roof-mounted wing.

More pictures here.

[Source: Italiaspeed]

The Grande Punto has been a runaway success since it was introduced to the European market last fall. The Fiat supermini quickly became the best selling vehicle in Europe, helping Fiat Auto and the Fiat Group post impressive profits. The success has been particularly notable in the UK, where some 20,000 Grande Puntos have found new homes since the car was released at the beginning of the year. So what could possibly bring this little spitfire to a halt?

Britain's Royal Mail apparently has what it takes to make the little powerhouse get stuck in its tracks. In cooperation with Fiat Auto UK, they just released first class postage stamps bearing the front view of the Fiat. Now admirers and competition alike will have what they need to lick this diminutive Fiat. Available in sheets of 20, this limited run of 6,000 sheets might sell just as quickly as the real thing.

The U.S. Postal Service has also offered auto related stamps. It issued some classic '50s inspired stamps at Pebble Beach a couple of years ago. While the Grande Punto might not have the same impact as a 1953 Corvette or 1955 T-Bird in the hearts of auto enthusiasts, that rare crossover of philatelist/car crazies will certainly see that all 6,000 soon find good homes.

[Source: Fiat Auto UK]

With second quarter results made all the more remarkable by the overall weakness in the European auto market, the Fiat Group blew by analysts' forecasts to post a $831.9 million quarterly profit, up 83 percent from last year's results in the same period.

More important than the group result is the fact that the automotive business, Fiat Auto, posted its third consecutive quarterly profit, a healthy $111.1 million. In the same quarter a year ago, the then-struggling auto group posted a loss of $111 million. Massive restructuring of the automotive operation and the introduction of successful new models led by Fiat's Grande Punto (at right), are credited with the turnaround.

Fiat Group also raised its yearly profit forecast for 2006 Monday, to $2.3 billion.

[Sources: Reuters, Fiat Group]