Fiat to Celebrate Half-a-Million 500s with Photo Covered Special

Fiat has chosen a unusual way to celebrate the production of the 500,000th 500 mini just 31 months after its launch. The Italian automaker is going to create a special edition version of the 500 entirely covered by 1,500 photos displaying the faces of Fiat 500 customers, celebrities and fans.

Starting from next week (May 3), those interested can book a place on the car by logging on to www.fiat500.com and using the special application showing a plan view of the Fiat 500. They can then book one of the free spaces online by sending a photograph.

Fiat said that seventy per cent of the places are reserved for Fiat 500 owners.

The special "Fiat 500 Thousandth" is expected to be ready three weeks after the booking stage is concluded and will be featured by the Italian carmaker in forthcoming events and international motor shows.

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Fiat's 500 Goes Atomik, Gets Electrified

Atomik Cars wants to make an electric Abarth 500, which is a good idea from the start.

Claimed to have "supercar performance in a city car's size", Atomik's 500 features a bunch of fancy tech under its carbon fiber skin: "high performance LiFePO4 batteries", brushless synchronous motors, two new transmissions (resulting in permanent AWD), a ceramic heater, and a carbon/Nomex rear chassis (by the way, Nomex is what Batman's suit is made out of).

Power at the front comes in at 80 kW and a very electric 840 Nm (619 lb-ft), while the rear engine makes the same power and a silly 1,710 Nm (1,261 lb-ft). Combined, that's good for 160 kW (215 hp) and an unadjusted 2,550 Nm (1,880 lb-ft) split 33/67 front to rear.

Atomik says the electrified 500 should hit 100 km/h in under 5 seconds with a top speed of around 200 km/h (electric cutoff is at 180 km/h), while providing a range of 200 km (124 miles).

By Phil Alex

Via: Autoblog Green & Atomik

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Fiat 500 Convertible Receives the Diesel Styling Treatment

Following in the footsteps of the 500 with the tin roof, Fiat has applied the "Diesel" treatment on the convertible version of its succesful mini. And by "Diesel" we're not referring to the firm's Multijet engine but to the famous clothing and lifestyle brand that has helped design this limited edition model.

Just like the 500 by Diesel saloon of which nearly 6,500 units have been sold, the special edition 500C is distinguished by unique cosmetic features inside and out.

These include an exclusive set of 16-inch alloy wheels, new rear trim with faux air vents, yellow brake calipers on the 1.4 100 HP version and the satin finish chrome detailing on the bumpers and side mouldings.

Inside, the cabin has been dressed up with dark denim style fabrics with yellow stitching and the head of the famous "Mohican" on the gear lever knob and the special satin chrome colored dashboard.

The Fiat 500C by Diesel range comes with four Euro 5 engine versions including the 1.2 69HP and 1.4 16v 100HP petrols and the 1.3 Multijet 75HP and 1.3 Multijet II 95HP diesels with manual or automated transmissions.

The Diesel variant of the 500C will have its world debut in Japan on April 12 with sales set to begin in May. In Italy prices will start from €18,000, equal to US$24,000 at today's exchange rates.

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Customized Fiat 500 Convertible "Sassicaia" by Aznom

Fiat isn't alone in creating special edition versions of its highly successful 500 mini. Aznom, an Italian company that designs and manufactures various products including leather goods, furniture and customized cars, has presented the Fiat 500 Convertible Sassicaia.

Named after one of Italy's top Bordeaux-style red wines, the limited edition 500 Convertible Sassicaia features a series of unique styling treats inside and out.

The car is finished in a two-tone beige paint scheme, while the mirror caps, the rear handle and the side moldings are decorated with wood. Other highlights include the new alloy wheels and the chrome accents on the front and rear bumper.

Inside, Aznom has outfitted the 500 Convertible with plenty of wood, while high-quality leather with the firm's logos covers the seats, door panels, steering wheel and gearbox area.

The car also comes with a set of matching leather bags.

While Aznom did not release pricing, the company said that only a limited number of units of the Fiat 500 Convertible "Sassicaia" will be produced.

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500,000th Fiat 500 Rolls Off the Production Line in Poland

In an important milestone for the new Fiat 500's history, the 500,000th example of the Italian automaker's retro-styled mini rolled off the production line this week at the Fiat Auto plant in Tychy, Poland, 21 months after its market launch. The commemorative model was finished in a so-called "Funk White" color and powered by a 69HP 1.2 engine with Start&Stop.

The new Fiat 500 is sold in 83 different countries around the world, from Italy to Brazil, and South Africa to Japan.

According to the Italian automaker, the ten biggest markets for the first 500,000 cars have been Italy with 244,755 units, France with 58,425, Great Britain with 51,445, Germany with 48,319, Holland with 13,682, Switzerland with 10,765, Spain with 10,103, Belgium with 9,548, Japan with 9,030 and Austria with 8,648 units.

If the Fiat Group sticks to plan, then we'll be seeing the Fiat 500 making its way to Chrysler's U.S. showrooms before the end of the year.

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Special Edition Fiat 500 Pink goes Topless with Convertible Model

Joining Fiat's special edition 500 Pink that was launched in the UK this past January, is a convertible variant of the car that is even more limited than the tin-top model as only 300 examples will be available in the country compared with 500 units of the hatchback.

Based on the 1.2 Pop specification, the 500C Pink features a unique pink finish for the body combined with a black canvas top, 16-inch alloy wheels, chrome trim and body-colored mirrors.

Inside, the special edition version of the 500 convertible gets a leather steering wheel and gear knob, specific floor mats, split folding rear seat, pink trim on the dashboard, Fiat's Blue&Me infotainment plus a special pink key cover.

The Fiat 500C Pink has an the road price of £13,500, meaning that it costs £1,200 more than a regular 1.2 Pop convertible, yet according to the Italians, includes £1,870 worth of extra equipment.

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Chrysler Group's 2011MY Lineup: 8 Redesigns, 7 Face Lifts, and a Fiat 500

In what's probably the least-shocking news of the day, Chrysler is working hard to bring its product line up date. Specifically, fifteen vehicles are being "reworked", eight of those "being redesigned or re-engineered".

Automotive News indicates that Chrysler is looking to get its vehicle portfolio up to snuff for Fiat's upcoming product merger.

This means that Chrysler will be throwing its new V6 into just about anything with wheels while redesigning, re-engineering, and renaming just about all of its vehicles (while also making use of a Fiat-developed dual-clutch transmission... about time, guys).

So, what do we know? The Sebring name is being dropped; Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne considers the changes "extensive" enough to call it a new model (this is good news). Also, it will be the first vehicle to come with the DCT from Fiat.

Then, beginning with Jeep's 2011 Grand Cherokee, we see the real-world application of the new V6. While the Jeep's V6 doesn't feature direct injection, Chrysler's 5-year plan indicates a few different variants including 3.0, 3.3, and 3.6 liter displacements, along with direct injection and turbocharging. Very good news. Also, Jeep's overseas, diesel-equipped Wranglers will gain start/stop technology.

Last but certainly not least, Fiat's long-anticipated 500 mini that will be sold through Chrysler dealerships starting from the fourth quarter of the year.

Redesigned/re-engineered models debuting this year and featuring Chrysler's new V6:

• Jeep Grand Cherokee (Quarter 1 2010)
  
• Chrysler Town & Country (face lift ; Q4 2010)
  
• Chrysler 300 (face lift ; new sheet metal / interior / rear suspension; Q4 2010)
  
• Chrysler Sebring replacement (Q4 2010)
  
• Dodge Durango (unibody construction ; 7-seater ; shares platform with Grand Cherokee ; Q4 2010)
  
• Dodge Charger (face lift ; new sheet metal / interior / rear suspension; Q4 2010)

Refreshed models debuting this year:

• Jeep Liberty ("styling tweaks" ; Q1 2010)
  
• Jeep Wrangler (start/stop for overseas diesels in Q3 2010 ; Pentastar V6 in 2011)
  
• Jeep Patriot (face lift ; Q3 2010)
  
• Jeep Compass (face lift ; Q4 2010)
  
• Dodge Avenger (face lift ; Pentastar V6 ; suspension/interior upgrades ; Q4 2010)
  
• Dodge Grand Caravan (face lift ; Pentastar V6 ; new interior ; Q4 2010)
  
• Dodge Journey (face lift ; pentastar V6 ; new interior ; Q4 2010)
  

If anyone can think of a good name for Chrysler's replacemo-Sebring, throw it down in the comments below.

-By Phil Alex

Via: Autonews (sub. Req)

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Fiat 500 by Diesel Upgraded with New Diesel (Engine...) and Paint Finish

The Chrysler Group's Italian daddy plans to use next week's Geneva Motor Show to unveil the 2010 Fiat 500 by Diesel, a special edition model done in partnership with the Italian clothing company. The new model year introduces Fiat's second-generation 1.3-liter Mutlijet diesel engine and a special "Midnight Indigo" dark-blue body finish that gives the impression of an iridescent color.

The new diesel unit features a variable geometry turbocharger delivering an output of 95 horsepower at 4,000rpm and 200Nm or 148 lb-ft of torque at 1,500rpm.

With this engine, the 500 mini accelerates from zero to 100 km/h (62mph) in 10.7 seconds and tops out at 181km/h or 112mph, while returning a combined 3.9 lt/100km or 60.2mpg US in the combined European cycle.

The 500 by Diesel continues to be available with the 69HP 1.2-liter and 100HP 1.4-liter petrols as well as a 75HP 1.3 Multijet turbo diesel.

Fiat said that from 10,000 units of the "500 by Diesel" it plans to produce, almost 6,000 cars have already been sold or spoken for.

Among the special features that distinguish the Diesel version from the rest of the range, are the unique 16-inhc alloy wheels, "Diesel" logos and special body trim in a matte silver finish that includes faux air vents at the back. Inside the seats are upholstered in a dark denim style fabric with yellow stitching while there's also a specific satin chrome colored dashboard.

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New Abarth 500C: Performance Version of the Fiat 500 Convertible Heading to Geneva

Fiat's official tuning brand, Abarth, has dropped the lid on its latest creation based on the 500C ahead of the convertible's world premiere at next week's Geneva Motor Show. Like its tin-topped counterpart, the Abarth 500C benefits from a more powerful turbocharged engine as well as chassis upgrades and a full suite of aero tweaks to reduce drag and improve high-speed stability over the standard Fiat 500C.

Motivation comes from a 1.4-liter turbocharged T-Jet engine delivering 140 horsepower and 206Nm of peak torque at 2,000 rpm. Power is transferred to the front wheels through a standard six-speed automated manual gearbox with paddle shifters.

The Abarth-ized 500C can sprint from zero to 100km/h (62mph) in 8.1 seconds and reach a maximum speed of 205km/h or 127mph, while returning an average fuel consumption in the combined cycle of 6.5lt/100km, or the U.S. equal of 36.2mpg.

The Italian company said that it is also working on a more powerful "Esseesse" model that will be available later this year.

Aside from the turbocharged engine, the firm's engineers have also tweaked the rag-top mini's suspension and brake components.

The "Scorpion treatment" adds a full body kit with beefed up front and rear bumpers, side skirts, a roof spoiler and a rear diffuser that integrates the twin tail pipes. The Abarth 500C rides on newly styled 17-inch alloy wheels.

The vehicle's electrically operated rollover canvas top comes in a choice of two colours (black or titanium grey), while Abarth also created three special two-tone color schemes, one in black and race white and the other in two different shades of grey.

As for the interior, the sporty 500C's features include a thick-rimmed sports steering wheel, unique decorative trim, a pair of body-hugging front sport seats and a modified instrument panel.

The Abarth 500C will reach European dealerships later this year with North American sales scheduled to start sometime in 2012.

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