500lovers.com

To all Fiat 500 Club, Forum and Blog owners

enver — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 19:34:05 +0000

Hello World! Really!

We need your help, to realize a big project aimed to promote the New Fiat 500, 500C and 500 Abarth all over the world.

If you are interested, please feel free to mail us at staff@cinquecentisti.com.

Cinquecentisti.com Staff.

Fiat planning to ship 500, Alfa Romeo 940 to U.S. next year

admin — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 17:14:02 +0000

As soon as word hit that Fiat and Chrysler were striking a deal, visions of 500s and Alfas began dancing in our heads. According to an anonymous source speaking with Automotive News, those visions aren’t too far off, and they could be realized within a year.

In a bid to kick-start Fiat and Alfa Romeo’s return to the U.S., the automaker could start exporting vehicles to the States as early as 2010. After which – and assuming the reception’s warm – Fiat would begin producing the 500 and the new Alfa 940 (the 149 replacement) in North America in mid-2011. At the onset, the first models available would be limited to a few thousand and would be sold through Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep retailers.

Furthermore, the deal between the two automakers would give Chrysler access to four Fiat platforms, ranging from minicars to mid-sizers, along with 1.4- and 1.8-liter engines and a new six-speed dual-clutch gearbox (internally dubbed the G365), that would pick up where Chrysler’s failed alliance with Getrag left off.

AN also reports that Fiat is considering using the Chrysler LX platform, which currently underpins the 300 and Dodge Charger, as the basis for the perpetually-delayed, upper-premium Alfa Romeo 169. A rear-wheel-drive sedan with Alfa’s stunning sheetmetal? Our interest is piqued, but we’re not holding our breath.

From: autoblog.com

Fiat 500C unveiled ahead of Geneva

admin — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 18:10:46 +0000

The Fiat 500C has leaked out ahead of its Geneva Motor Show debut, and as suspected, the open-top retromobile is equipped with a sliding canvas roof that continues the traditional set by the original 500.

Unlike it’s closest competitor – the MINI Cooper Convertible – the 500C retains its roofline and arching C-pillar, which should keep its structural rigidity intact while keeping blind spots at bay. However, with the canvas roof retracted, it looks like rearward visibility is seriously compromised. The power-operated cloth-top will reported come in three colors – ivory, red and black – and a new spoiler, incorporated into the retractable roof, keeps the third brake light visible whether to the top is up or down. Both the 1.2- and 1.4-liter engines will carry over, along with the 1.3-liter Multijet equipped with Start-Stop technology. Expect sales to begin later this year in Europe, with U.S. distribution likely in 2010.

Source: autoblog.com

Fiat-Chrysler partnership will bring 7 new models to U.S.

admin — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 16:28:22 +0000

Since the announcement of the Chrysler-Fiat partnership last week, speculation has swirled about what models would come out of the American-Italian venture. Automotive News got the skinny on what’s on the way, and according to their unnamed sources, we can expect seven new vehicles in North America – four under the Chrysler brands and three as Alfa Romeos or Fiats.

The plan covers vehicles on four platforms, spanning from a micro-car to a mid-size sedan, with plants in North America being tasked with building most of the new models. Chrysler’s Toluca, Mexico plant, which current builds the Dodge Journey and not-long-for-this-world PT Cruiser, will begin producing the Fiat 500 under the alliance.

Chrysler’s executive vice president for product development, Frank Klegon, said, “We don’t have an A-segment vehicle, and we don’t have a B-segment vehicle, and our C-segment vehicle [Dodge Caliber] is in the next stage of renewal. That creates some opportunities for us.” So what’s on the way? Hit the jump to find out.

The agreement involves two new minicars (A-segment) that share the same platform. The first is the aforementioned Fiat 500 and the second, a five-door hatchback based on the Fiat Panda, will likely be badged as a Chrysler or Dodge. This should help both automakers with the 2011 U.S. fuel economy standards and give Chrysler a serious sub-compact offering.

Moving up to the B segment, Chrysler could get the next generation Fiat Grande Punto, Alfa could begin selling the MiTo and the same platform could be used to create a small crossover for Chrysler. There’s also talk of Chrysler being afforded access to Fiat’s 1.4- and 1.8-liter four-cylinder direct-injection engines. Chrysler could produce both at one of its own factories, likely in turbocharged guise at its Dundee, Michigan plant, but a source indicates that Chrysler is only interested in the 1.4-liter variant.

On the mid-size front, Chrysler – which is in desperate need of both C- and D-segment models to replace the Caliber/Compass and Sebring/Avenger, respectively – could utilize Fiat’s new C-Evo architecture to create a new sedan and a more respectable compact car. The C-Evo underpinnings will be used first on the Alfa Romeo 147 replacement, currently codenamed project 940, which takes some stylistic cues from the 8C Competitizione.

And what’s Fiat get out of all this? An inexpensive entry into the North American market, manufacturing capacity and a sizeable distribution network. And if you think Chrysler is getting all the goods, Fiat plans to distribute the Dodge Journey and Dakota pickup in South America, and will be able to utilize Chrysler’s new Phoenix V6 in its own line of products. Not quite balanced, but hardly a bad deal.

Source: Autoblog.com

Fiat and Chrysler designers to collaborate, other Fiat divisions excluded

admin — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 09:14:14 +0000

The ink isn’t even dry yet on the deal between Chrysler and Fiat, but design executives from both automakers are slated to begin meeting next week to discuss collaboration on future products and how Fiat’s current offerings can be adapted for Chrysler’s needs.

The meetings were confirmed by Chrysler’s VP of design Ralph Gilles, who also revealed that the alliance extends only to the Fiat brand itself, and does not include Lancia, Alfa Romeo, Maserati or Ferrari. So don’t expect to see a Dodge 8C Competizione hitting the market any time soon. However, although Maserati and Ferrari are already active on this side of the Atlantic, Fiat is expected to use Chrysler’s existing infrastructure to reach its goal of bringing the Alfa Romeo brand back to he North American market. The cars available to Chrysler for re-badging, however, will remain exclusively from the Fiat portfolio.

From: www.autoblog.com

REPORT: Fiat 500 may come to U.S. for 2010 (sorry Canada)

admin — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 08:44:18 +0000

If some hot new rumors are correct, this week’s Chrysler-Fiat tie-up could start to bear some very shiny and round fruit surprisingly soon. According to Motor Trend editor Todd Lassa, Fiat’s cuddly 500 is being discussed for possible fast-tracking for American showrooms “in well under 18 months.” Interestingly, 2010 is the target US launch date that has been floating around for some time now, but now thanks to the Chrysler-Fiat arrangement, there now seems to be an obvious distribution conduit. According to MT’s source, the retro-minded bubble bauble would arrive in Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep showrooms powered by a 100-horsepower four-cylinder engine and sporting a new front fascia disguising a reconfigured bumper strike beam.

Interestingly, Lassa says that the car may be sold only in the U.S. and not Canada because the latter has slightly different impact standards that could be tougher to meet. America’s northerly neighbors evidently require that front turn-signal lenses be able to withstand a five mile-per-hour impact without cracking (many such lights are used as government-mandated daytime running lamps) and a modified 500 may still not be able to meet this standard.

From: http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/22/report-fiat-500-may-come-to-u-s-for-2010-sorry-canada/

Fiat and Chrysler strike alliance

admin — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 12:51:21 +0000

The Fiat 500 has been a runaway success, but so far only the standard hatchback body-style has been offered The first derivative, however, is tipped to debut at the Geneva Motor Show this March.

A formal accord will be signed sometime in April once both sides have approved the terms, Chrysler said. The non-cash accord calls for Fiat to take a 35% stake in the Number Three American carmaker in exchange for Fiat’s platforms for its fuel-efficient, small and medium-sized compact cars, which will fill a gap in Chrysler’s range of models. Chrysler confirmed that this will allow it to demonstrate to the US Treasury that it is meeting the conditions set to receive further federal bailout funds necessary for its restructuring and survival.

The US automaker has already received $4 billion dollars on the condition that it shift production away from fuel-guzzling vehicles and slash production and operating costs. Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne said the accord was a ”milestone” for the troubled automobile sector which ”confirms the determination and commitment of Fiat and Chrysler to play a significant role” in the global market.

”The accord will allow both companies access to important markets with products which are innovative and environmentally friendly, an area where Fiat is a recognised world leader, while generating significant cost savings,” he added. Chrysler Chairman and CEO Bob Nardelli said that ”a partnership between Chrysler and Fiat is an ideal combination which has the potential of creating a new, major player on a global level”.

”It will give Chrysler a number of strategic benefits including access to products which complete our own range, access to a distribution network outside North America and savings in research, development, acquisitions, production, marketing and sales,” he added.

For Fiat Chairman Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, a global partnership with Chrysler ”has great potential. It is positive for Fiat because it means selling technologies which cost significant investment and finally opens a market (the US) which is very important for us”.

Fiat Deputy Chairman John Elkann said that in the future the Italian automaker may increase its stake in Chrysler.

According to press reports, Fiat has an option to up its share to as much as 55%.

It is still unclear what Germany’s Daimler, Chrysler’s previous owner which retains a 19.9% stake in the company, intends to do once Fiat become a partner.

Daimler is the maker of the Mercedes-Benz.

Chrysler’s current owner is the private American equity investment firm Cerberus Capital Management.

An alliance with Chrysler will give Fiat access to Chrysler’s assembly plants as well as its sales and service networks, all necessary for the Italian automaker’s goal of bringing Alfa Romeo back to the US market and introducing its popular new Fiat 500 city car there, both of which need to be produced in the US to be profitable.

Fiat stopped exporting its marque to the US in 1983 while Alfa Romeo exports stopped in 1995.

Trading of Fiat shares was suspended Tuesday morning ahead of a company statement on the alliance but when the stock returned to the floor it shot up by over 5.5% in heavy trading.

According to the Wall Street Journal, an alliance will help ”both firms to weather an economic downturn threatening the survival of some of the auto industry’s biggest companies”.

The WSJ also calculated that an alliance could generate savings in the neighborhood of $3-$4 billion.

CHRYSLER ACCORD FIAT’S LATEST SUCCESS.

From 2000 to early 2005 Fiat was allied with America’s Number One automaker General Motors, which acquired a 20% in the Italian company.

In February 2005, GM agreed to pay $2 billion to annul their master agreement for industrial collaboration and annual a put option which could have forced GM to buy all of Fiat Auto, which at the time was racking up record losses.

Fiat used the cash to mount a textbook turnaround, orchestrated by Marchionne who became CEO in 2004, which has allowed it to produce profits for a record 15 consecutive quarters.

This was in part made possible through a series of so-called target alliances which Fiat struck with a variety of industrial partners. One of the latest was with America’s Number Two automaker Ford for the development of a common platform to be shared by the Fiat 500 and a revamped version of the Ka, the city car Ford produces in Europe.

From: www.ansa.it

Fiat 500 C drop-top to debut at Geneva show

admin — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 11:11:04 +0000

The Fiat 500 has been a runaway success, but so far only the standard hatchback body-style has been offered The first derivative, however, is tipped to debut at the Geneva Motor Show this March.
Like the test mule spotted previously (and unlike Castagna’s concept shown above), the 500 C, as the convertible version will be called, will feature a solid frame between which a canvas roof can be deployed or retracted. Earlier reports suggested that this targa-style convertible would later be supplemented by a full cabrio, but we’ll have to wait and see on that, as well as the engine options.

The standard 70-hp 1.2-liter four will likely carry over along with the 100-hp 1.4L unit that transformed the ho-hum Panda – with which the 500 shares its underpinnings – into the much-loved Panda 100HP go-kart. Diesel and Abarth versions may follow as well, along with a start-stop system anticipated to save 8% on fuel consumption to be offered on both the open and closed versions of the 500. We’ll bring you more on the 500 C as we approach the show in March, after which the retro targa will go on sale in England first and then other markets this spring to do battle with the new MINI Cabrio.

From: www.autoblog.com

Fiat preparing 500 crossover

admin — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 07:57:56 +0000

Anything you can do, I can do better. That seems to be the strategy over at the Fiat group vis-à-vis the MINI, which the Italian automaker has attacked from two flanks with the popular little 500 and the up-market Alfa MiTo. As we’ve reported previously, Fiat is said to be preparing a whole batch of variants of the 500, including two different convertibles and a wagon. Reports now indicate that, with MINI hard at work on its crossover and the Clubman already on the market, Fiat is preparing to strike back with an all-wheel-drive version of the 500 wagon.

Tentatively known as the Giardiniera, reviving the classic nameplate of the original, the 500 wagon would likely borrow the all-wheel-drive system from the Panda 4×4 which shares the same platform as the 500. The bean-counters in Turin are still reportedly deliberating over the project, but if approved, Fiat is anticipated to produce little over 30,000 unites annually. Whether the 4WD 500 wagon would wear the same bodywork as the existing model or the front-drive wagon, however, remains to be seen.

From: www.autoblog.com