New 2012 Fiat 500 Abarth Reaches U.S. Shores, will Debut at L.A. Show

The Fiat Group may be constantly delaying Alfa Romeo's return to the U.S. market but at least it's keeping its word with the 500 range.

After the regular three-door hatchback and the rolling soft top 500C, Fiat is now introducing the most stimulating (from a driver's perspective) version of the series, the sporty Abarth model, which will be making its debut at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show on November 18.

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Fiat Tunes Into the New 500 for the SEMA Show

A pair of fancied-up Fiat 500 hatchbacks will be making their way to Las Vegas next week for the 2011 edition of the SEMA aftermarket show.

The Italian company released a single picture of the 500 Titanium while we only get some initial details on the firm's second concept, the 500 Carbon.

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Fiat Group Loses Big in Europe, Hits a 20-Year Low Mark in Italy

Just two days ago, we reported that Fiat Group CEO, Sergio Marchionne, said that he would make the North American market Alfa Romeo’s top priority.

Now the Italian automaker’s boss admits that his company is facing huge troubles in Europe as in the first nine months of 2011, the company's sales decreased by 12% compared to the same period last year, with its share in the European market dropping from 8.2% to 7.3%.

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Italian Sushi: Fiat Coupé Conversion with a Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4 1,000HP V6 and AWD

Let's just imagine you're faced with this problem: You love the Fiat Coupe's punk rock styling but don't feel the same for its front-wheel drive layout. On the other hand, you're crazy about the Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4's potent and technologically advanced powertrain but can't stand its notoriously bland looks.

We'll assume that any logical person would try to find an answer by looking into another vehicle, but not these guys. Welcome to insane tuning world of Russia's Totalcar that decided to create a vehicle that promises to deliver the best of both worlds.

We're still short on the full details as this is an ongoing project, but here's the skinny: the Russian tuner took the Mitsubishi's 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 engine and all-wheel drivetrain and somehow managed to fit it all under the beautiful body of the Chris Bangle-designed (yes, the same person who styled the BMW E65 7-Series) 1990's Fiat Coupé.

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Marchionne Gives North America Priority Over Europe for Alfa Romeo's Future Plans

Fiat-Chrysler CEO, Sergio Marchionne, announced that he will appoint a boss for the Alfa Romeo brand exclusively for the North American market. This is because the Italian carmaker’s return to the US after a 17-year absence will be his top priority, relegating Europe, in which Alfa’s sales are disappointing, to second place.

“We are going to target the US market first and work our way back to Europe”, Marchionne said in an interview with Autonews Europe. “We have run market tests on the desirability of the Alfa brand in the US and, not withstanding our long absence from the market it’s still one of the best brands in the world. I think we need to go back and grab it.”

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Fiat Debuts New Jennifer Lopez Ad Featuring…the 500 Cabrio

The North American division of Fiat has launched its second commercial about Jennifer Lopez featuring the new 500 Cabrio. And no, we're not the ones to get it wrong here but Fiat's advertising agency which seems to have got its priorities confused.

While we get to see more of the Fiat 500 Cabrio than the first online ad with J. Lo, the commercial, title "My World" continues to focus on the "actress, entertainer, philanthropist and entrepreneur" with her song "Until it beats no more" playing on the background.

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Lil' Monster: Romeo Ferraris Fiat 500 Abarth Stradale Packs 300HP

The first photos of Romeo Ferraris Cinquone Stradale hit the web on Saturday giving us a taste of the limited production model.

We're still waiting for the Italians to share the full details but in a previous email, Romeo Ferraris told us that its over-the-top Fiat 500 Abarth will be an "extreme" street-legal version of its racing model powered by a highly modified 1.4-liter turbo engine delivering 300-horsepower.

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Romeo Ferraris Preparing Insane Fiat 500 Abarth with 300-Horses

Once upon a time, not too long ago, 300-horsepower was considered sports car territory. For example, in 1989, the BMW 850i Coupe came with a 300HP V12 under its long hood while the Ferrari 348's V8 also churned out 300HP. Heck, up until 2009, the Ford Mustang GT was powered by a 300HP V8.

Nowadays, 300HP has become something like Five Dollar Foot-long subs with even the smallest of cars like the Fiat 500 reaching the magic output number with a little help from the tuning industry.

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Alfa Romeo Lays Out Product Plans Until 2014, Readying a New RWD Saloon with a V6 Engine

Out of all the mainstream brands included in the Fiat Group and Chrysler LLC portfolio, Alfa Romeo has the most potential to achieve a global reach and bring in some much needed cash and sales. The Italian company's boss Sergio Marchionne is well aware of this and that's one of the reasons he doesn't want to sell Alfa Romeo to Volkswagen, despite Ferdinand Piechs' persistent efforts.

However, one of the most pressing problems with Alfa Romeo is the constant delays, be that for the successors to models like the 159 series or the company's long-awaited return to the U.S. market.

Suffice it to say, there's no way of being sure that the Fiat Group has managed to sort out the time schedule-related problems when it comes to Alfa Romeo. Nevertheless, at a recent event for investors, the Fiat Group introduced an updated plan for the Milanese brand, which it hopes will revitalize Alfa Romeo through the presentation of new models.

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Former Chrysler CEO Nardelli Says Cerberus Could Have Saved the Automaker

It's been two years since Bob Nardelli stepped down as Chrysler CEO while the company was still owned by private equity firm Cerberus Capital Management LP, for which he still works, but the 63-year-old exec still has the hots for the Detroit carmaker.

During an interview with The Detroit News on the sidelines of a recent Dow Jones conference in New York, Nardelli said that the Obama administration didn’t have to give Chrysler away to Fiat as he believes Cerberus could have done a better job of saving the automaker.

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Official: Fiat-Chrysler Alliance to Build New Small Jeep SUV at Mirafiori Plant in Italy

We have more news coming out of the Fiat Group and Chrysler LLC camp. After the announcement on the new Alfa Romeo 1.8-liter turbo engine, the group said it has finalized plans to build a new small Jeep SUV model at its Mirafiori plant in Turin, Italy.

The company noted that development of the manufacturing infrastructure at Mirafiori will begin in 2012 with production of the new baby Jeep model expected to begin in the second half of 2013 alongside an updated version of Alfa Romeo's MiTo supermini.

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Alfa Romeo Announces New 1.8-liter Turbo Engine with up to 300HP, Production Starts in 2013

The Fiat Group has revealed plans to produce a new four-cylinder gasoline direct injection turbo engine for Alfa Romeo at the firm's FMA plant in Pratola Serra beginning in early 2013.

The Italian company said that the all-aluminum powerplant has a displacement of 1.8-liters and will feature advanced technologies such as a 200-bar gasoline direct injection system, dual variable timing and a high-efficiency turbocharger. It will be offered in numerous versions the most powerful of which will develop 300-horses.

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New Chrysler Ypsilon Supermini Makes its Debut in Britain [50 Photos]

The Fiat-Chrysler alliance has said that the two groups will work hand-in-hand towards the development of all future models, with the Italian branch handling the smaller and compact / medium segments and the American, the medium and larger categories.

We'll have to wait to see the first (real) results, but for the time being, the group is making use of one brand's vehicles to supplement the lineup of another brand through the age-old approach of rebadging.

Following the European premieres of the Chrysler 200, 300 and Town & Country with Lancia badges and names, the table has turned around with Chrysler welcoming a Lancia model into its range, the new Ypsilon supermini. But it's not for U.S. consumption.

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Jeep's Updated Production Plan Includes Four New Models Covering Most Segments by 2014

While future production plans for the Fiat-Chrysler alliance's Italian brands (Fiat , Alfa Romeo and Lancia) can change from one moment to the other for a variety of reasons, up until now, the American branch of the group has proved to be more reliable and on time when it comes to new projects.

At a recent investors presentation in Germany, the Fiat Group unveiled its product plans for Jeep, which the automaker considers as one of the two global brands in the alliance, the other one being Alfa Romeo.

Under the revitalization plan, which runs up until 2014, Jeep will expand its portfolio with a series of new models to cover all SUV/Crossover segments. The group's –admittedly ambitious- goal is to double Jeep's global sales from around 400,000 units in 2010 to about 800,000 vehicles in 2014.

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2009 Fiat 500c Review

Mind 'for freedom and excitement, "this is the original," "tribute convertible to open in 1957 while the model provides a cutting-edge solutions for the mechanical units, power plants and passenger comfort. All this is true Fiat tradition of providing access to the highest segment of a new type of engineering and innovative technology companies ofFeaturing roof - a real window on the sky - the new 500C with the same size as the base model (3.55 mx 1, 65 mx 1.49 m) and the same three power: 75 bhp 1.3-liter Multijet turbodiesel combined with 5-speed manual and two 69 hp 1.2-liter and 1.4 liter 100 hp gasoline engine, available in both manual transmission or robotic Dualogic. Offering a variety of features, all three engine types are spacious, have a great temperament, and offer high performance based on advanced technology. Standard features include stubborn reliability and environmental friendliness.

2009 Fiat 500c

In addition, as proof of the commitment of Fiat Automobiles ecology and sustainable mobility, the new 500C innovative "Start & Stop" system, a controller engine stop momentarily and subsequent reignition. To this end, they pass into neutral and release the clutch at each stop, the engine is turned off and restarted by simply selecting a gear.

2009 Fiat 500c

Created by the Fiat Style Centre and manufactured in Tychy plant in Poland, the 500C is the "open source" design, which is to add new features to an existing product highly effective. In fact, Fiat 500C includes all the strengths of the basic model, namely the safety features of high-segment, four places of habitability and generous luggage space, combined with excellent load capacity also with the hood fully open through a unit of the hinge parallelogram intelligent.

2009 Fiat 500c

An exercise in very original design, top of the Fiat 500C is characterized by a clutch control apparatus, and refined technical solutions and high quality finishing, such as glass backlight and built in the center raised a red light. Available in three colors (ivory, red and black), the original soft top fit body with multiple colors, two of which were designed specifically for the new car, a bright red bead and a special warm gray typical sports super cars . Last but not least thank you for the adoption of innovative soft upper combined with a sliding-style concept, which retains all-round protection, Fiat 500C offers a nice walk in any time of year. All in all, the many special features make this new car, one of the best models currently available has proved convertible in the segment of the city-car.

2009 Fiat 500c

The 500C is further evidence of unchallenged leadership of Fiat in this category of vehicles, where continuous innovation ensures that its position as the industry standard is maintained. In fact, the car set new levels in terms of comfort and safety, engineering and contracts when the unique and inimitable "Italian style". A new convertible was born to great enthusiasm and great driving pleasure, combining the catchy lines with the engine performance flexible and environmentally friendly.

2009 Fiat 500c

Fiat 500 by Gucci Makes U.S. Debut In New York

The 500 by Gucci, shown here in black with Gucci girl the lovely Natasha Poly, celebrates 150th anniversary of the unification of Italy and Gucci’s 90th anniversary. These special editions of the Fiat 500 and 500 Cabrio have been customized by Gucci Creative Director Frida Giannini in partnership with Fiat’s Centro Stile.

This car can win a big market amongst the fashion-aware customers in New York, Las Vegas and Los Angeles. But I’m not sure they’re going to buy many of them in Texas!

“In the 50s, the Fiat 500 created a style revolution when it first hit the road. It quickly became the must-have car of its time. Travelling in style has also been at the heart of Gucci ever since Guccio Gucci founded his company as a producer of leather trunks, suitcases and handbags in 1921. So, when Lapo Elkann suggested the idea of this collaboration it struck me as a perfect opportunity to create a new modern travel statement in Gucci’s 90th anniversary year,” said Frida Giannini.

Inspired by neo-classic black-and-white film, the new black-and-white Fiat 500 and 500c by Gucci models are finished in unique eye-catching glossy pearl-glass paint. These two distinct colors complement one another: black with detailing in shiny chrome paired with interiors that contrast sharp black and white for a contemporary and racy attitude. White with satin chrome detailing and ivory and black interiors for a softer, sophisticated look.
“With Gucci as our design partner, we’ve amplified the Italian style of our Fiat 500 with unique exterior and interior looks that will make the car truly unique on the road,” said Laura Soave, Head of FIAT Brand North America. “This special edition adds dimension to the Fiat 500 portfolio and will appeal to North American customers who appreciate Italian style just as much as modern technology, value and fuel efficiency.”

Mercedes SLK350

The 2012 SLK-Class unites premium comfort and high-quality equipment with an especially athletic flair. At the same time the new roadster is the most fuel efficient in its class matched with segment-leading safety. All-weather driving enjoyment - open or closed, during weekends or the daily commute - is built-in to the SLK's genes. The 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK350 goes on-sale in the U.S. in June 2011.
Dr. Thomas Weber, Member of the Board of Management responsible for Group Research and Head of Development, Mercedes-Benz Cars: "With the SLK we offer a wide range of technical alternatives to give customers a personal choice. Among them are a number of unique innovations. Moreover, the SLK is a prime example of how impressive performance, stylish driving comfort and high ecological standards can go hand in hand. In the 125-year history of the automobile, we have never experienced such major leaps in efficiency. Lower fuel consumption and even more driving pleasure - a formula we certainly translate into reality in the SLK."

Outstanding on all fronts
The best or nothing - this motto is at the heart of the Mercedes-Benz philosophy, and also the guiding theme for the new SLK. From the start the roadster was designed to provide top performance in all areas, and

Mercedes-Benz engineers have rigorously translated this requirement into reality giving the SLK attributes that provide the roadster with a peak position in its segment. Among them are extremely compact dimensions combined with a generous interior with numerous practical features. Outstanding performance and sporty, agile handling are also major characteristics of the new SLK. The new SLK is also the safest roadster with its unrivalled range of safety features.

2012 Fiat 500 Review

Enter the new Fiat 500, the manifesto of 'new Fiat', a model that accounts for nearly all made a new approach, strategies, brand new and a different approach to the machine. Exactly 50 years after the introduction of the first edition of the model, who became an icon of Italian motoring and of all history, Fiat is accelerating into the future.

Anyone can re-edit the 500, because its shape is part of our collective memory. Some industrial objects that were the result of creativity in Italy after the war, such as the Fiat 500 or the Vespa, can not be judged purely aesthetic point of view, and represent only a good exercise in which form serves function. On the contrary, they are powerful catalysts, revolutionary in design and concept that defines common reference points and reference points. When this happens, the result is a masterpiece, which is an integral part of industrial history. Fiat 500 is one of them.

2012 Fiat 500

It is a story that was carried out twice. The first is the story of a great number of owners, fans and enthusiasts who promoted the car's image as a good car, reliable and economical, which became an expression of his life, the best part, evoking a spirit carefree and a lack of interest. The Fiat 500 is connected to memories, strong friendships and first loves, it evokes images of a positive past which many would like to relive.

Dante Giacosa's Fiat 500 was launched July 4, 1957 the cycle of rebirth was closing after the destruction of war, and the time for a radical reform of the company's product range was also coming to an end, which opens the cycle of successes in the decade Next, the course can be considered as one of the most talented of the brand one hundred years of history. At the same time as the new Fiat 500 is clear, concludes that extraordinary cycle of rebirth in recent years, but thanks to its stylistic and technical characteristics, start a sustainable process of enlargement. And this story begins.

2012 Fiat 500

It would be an understatement, and the phenomenon of "limit" of the new Fiat 500 is a simple, nostalgic reinterpretation. Fiat's goal is to design a car that "appears" to 500, but that "could be" the Fiat 500 again. New Fiat 500 opens the way for an innovative process in many environments, which are very important for today's customers, clearly mapping target objects are in relation to the future positioning of the Fiat brand. Fiat 500 respects the original concept of form and function, as expected in these cases, so that it can give rise to all the emotions and memories that make all the eternal 'icons', raising them to limit the scope of their class.

2012 Fiat 500

But above all, it is important to highlight the innovations that can bring a new product model in this category, for the first time.First, broad participation in the development model and marketing plan with the participation of over 3,000,000 enthusiasts who have submitted their ideas for the project through the website www.500wantsyou.com. This initiative is a new approach to cultural relations between manufacturer and customer, so Fiat one of the organizations more open about expectations. "The 500, the car of the people, by the people": this slogan sums up the philosophy behind the development of a project in the best tradition of Fiat, "democratize" access to contents and technologies that have not been offered before in this segment.

2012 Fiat 500

This is the first time they launched a car with a full range of engines (69 bhp 1.2. 75 bhp 1.3 Multijet with DPF and 100 bhp 1.4 16v) ​​ready to meet the emission limits set by Euro 5 More than two years ahead of legislation, a tangible sign of Fiat's will to reassert its leadership on the environment is concerned.It 'also the first time, a compact car (3.55 meters) is built to achieve a 5 star EuroNCAP impact tests, and is ready for the 6-star test if and when the new classification was introduced.Security at all costs, without any influence on prices, a courageous decision, which confirms Fiat's plans to develop its strategy of leadership to vehicle protection, totally consistent with decisions taken in recent years on the Panda and the Croma, to Grande Punto and Bravo.

2012 Fiat 500

It is a safe product, not only for its structural sturdiness, but also because of the choices is the construction of a large variety of outfits and services: 7 airbags as standard (it is the only compact to offer kneebag side), and advanced ESP available on all engines (standard 100 bhp 1.4 16v), are absolute novelties in this segment.

He is the first 'small' car to offer much in the way of content: 4 specification levels, three engines at launch, 12 colors, including 6 vintage colors that will bring the 1950 and 1960 in mind, and more tri-coat white produced by a process that usually only adopted on luxury cars, 15 types of upholstery including luxurious Cordura and Frau Leather, 9 types of wheel rims, and 19 types of stickers, making a total of more than 500,000 variants (549,936 to to be precise), the most interesting are the electric fragrance diffuser, with a choice of three different flavors and colorful important cases, an approach similar to that in the mobile phone market that allows you to match the color key for the body, or to select another model of your choice. It has never been such a sumptuous selection of accessories on such an accessible car.

2012 Fiat 500

The Fiat 500 is an inclusive not an exclusive concept of Fiat considered it the best way to satisfy the tastes of all potential customers, without distinction, from the most minimalist to the most eccentric. The idea of ​​creating a product that can adapt to the needs of the person also said the decision to overcome all the participants in the process of integrating electronic technologies into the passenger compartment (Plug In). A second generation Blue & Me is available, and an iPod can be easily incorporated into the outlet and the battery charger. A new portable navigator was developed specifically for the Fiat 500 with Magneti Marelli, which is mounted directly on the dashboard and connects to other vehicle functions.

2012 Fiat 500

The concept of adaptation is not limited to products, but extends to a world of benefits and payment. For example, with the '500 Cents 'and '50to500' formulas from Fiat Group Automobiles Financial Services, each customer can buy a version of the Fiat 500, including customization, for ¤ 5 a day, and without payment or to pay 50% of the sum immediately and the remainder after 2 years.

2012 Fiat 500

And every time a customer comes one of the above loans he will benefit from a guarantee of 5 year/500, 000 km manufacturer and other services that Fiat is proposing for the first time and are thinking 24 hours service the road. And when it's time for routine maintenance, the vehicle will be picked up at the customer's home, and his mobility will be guaranteed by the reimbursement of taxis.A lot of offers and opportunities, such as the Fiat 500 is a car for everyone is a car for people by people for people. Fiat 500 is the 'new Fiat' and the 'new Fiat' belongs to everyone.

2012 Fiat 500

For the company, the birth of the Fiat 500 is the beginning of a new chapter, a statement on the role that Fiat aims to interpret in the future market and society. Momentum for a new model of conscious consumption. A model for the exploitation of experience in the automotive field that focuses on quality and emotions, the uniqueness rather than mass production, that simplification does not mean there. The Fiat 500 is the actual synthesis of these aspirations.With the 500, Fiat smiles at the future.

2012 Fiat 500

2011 Ferrari 458 Challenge

Coming just a few months after the 2010 Frankfurt Motor Show unveiling of the Ferrari 458 Italia
The direct injection 4497 cc V8 remains strictly in production tune, with an output of 570 hp at 9,000 rpm. That said, modifications have been made to the gear ratios and calibration of its dual-clutch F1 gearbox to guarantee higher torque at lower revs. The Ferrari 458 Challenge is also equipped with the E-Diff electronic differential already employed on the road-going version, a first for Ferrari’s track-only cars.
The new Ferrari 458 Challenge also has a specific suspension set-up with solid aluminium bushings, stiffer springs, single-rate dampers, centre-nut 19″ racing rims, larger dimension Pirelli slicks and a ride height lowered by 30mm all round. It is also equipped with the new generation Brembo CCM2 brakes which debuted on the 599XX, Ferrari’s extreme experimental laboratory car, and which are integrated with an ABS system that features two configurations – low grip and high performance for dry surfaces.

on which it is based, the Ferrari 458 Challenge introduces a number of important modifications to adapt it for competition use.

BMW X5

2011 BMW X5 will write the latest chapter in the story of the world's first Sports Activity Vehicle® in the spring of 2010. Originally launched for the 2000 model year in late 1999, the BMW X5 permanently changed the automotive landscape. It proved that the driving dynamics, responsiveness, and linear control signature to every BMW could be compatible with utility, versatility, and other-roads capability. For 2011, the BMW X5 models are enhanced with new powertrains and updated design. The new BMW X5 will make its North American debut at the 2010 New York International Auto Show.
Innovative new design elements and powertrains are the result of over 4,000 new parts created by BMW designers and engineers for the 2011 BMW X5. Two of the X5's powertrains will be all-new for 2011, creating the new BMW X5 xDrive50i and BMW X5 xDrive35i, in addition to the familiar BMW Advanced Diesel X5 xDrive35d. All models receive a design update that enhances the brilliant focus and aesthetic appearance of the X5 brand.

Fresh Design. Well-Balanced Proportions.
The body design of the 2011 BMW X5 is characterized by well-balanced proportions that accentuate the vehicle's powerful presence and agility. A long wheelbase, short front and rear body overhangs, and large light-alloy wheels provide a visual balance between the front and rear of the vehicle. Square-shaped, carefully flared wheel arches hint at the BMW X5's all-wheel drive traction and other-roads capability. The body lines sweep upwards from the front and rear wheels, communicating BMW's near-perfect 50-50 front-rear weight distribution which is so essential to the BMW X5's legendary driving dynamic.