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First Drive: 2012 Fiat 500

Filed under: Budget, Hatchback, First Drive, Fiat

A Very Small Car In A Very Big America

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

Five minutes behind the wheel sometimes tells you everything you need to know about a vehicle. Of course, you figure out more as the miles pile up, but the gained nuances usually support – not refute – that first impression.

Our first five minutes behind the wheel of the 2012 Fiat 500 shouted that it was solid, substantial and sporty. The rest of the day simply demonstrated the amplitude of these characteristics, and whether the exceptionally-popular-in-Europe 500 might actually catch on with American drivers.

We think it will.

Gallery: 2012 Fiat 500: First Drive

2012 Fiat 500

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First Drive: 2012 Fiat 500 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Feb 2011 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fiat 500 to have no-haggle sticker pricing?

Filed under: Car Buying, Budget, Hatchback, Fiat

Fit 500 U.S.

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

Haggling, ugh. Generally speaking (and with a few notable exceptions) it’s one of those unavoidable aspects of buying a new car from a dealership. If you’re good and you’re willing to shop around by pitting dealer against dealer, you may end up scoring something of a bargain. Thing is, if you’re not such a good haggler, you’re seemingly just as likely to pay more from a stealership than the next guy, which hardly seems fair.

According to Fiat’s brand spankin’ new United States arm, the younger car-buying generation isn’t particularly keen on the notion of haggling for a better price. As such, the company has directed its dealerships to adopt a no-haggle pricing policy, starting with the new-for-the-U.S. Fiat 500. “The pricing is the pricing,” said Laura Soave, head of the Fiat brand in North America to Bloomberg, much as it was with the now defunct Saturn brand. We think it’s a lovely idea and hope it sticks.

Gallery: LA 2010: 2011 Fiat 500

2011 Fiat 500

[Source: Bloomberg]

Fiat 500 to have no-haggle sticker pricing? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 28 Jan 2011 17:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Official 2012 Fiat 500 fuel economy numbers fall short of 40 mpg

Filed under: Budget, Hatchback, Fiat

2012 Fiat 500

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

2011 marks the official return of Fiat here in the United States, with the adorable little 500 hitting dealerships in the coming weeks. With Fiat’s MultiAir 1.4-liter engine under the hood, you’d be right to expect top-notch fuel economy numbers. And while the 500’s EPA ratings of 30 miles per gallon in the city and 38 mpg on the highway aren’t bad, it’s not exactly what we were hoping for.

For comparison, consider the fact that much larger C-segment entries like the Hyundai Elantra, Ford Focus and Chevrolet Cruze are all capable of achieving 40 mpg or higher (granted, you have to spec certain transmissions and option packages on the latter two in order to achieve it). What’s more, the 30/38 mpg rating on the Fiat 500 is only with the five-speed manual transmission. Cars equipped with the six-speed self-shifter will only achieve 27/34 mpg. Ouch.

Still, with prices starting at $15,995 for the entry-level Pop model, we don’t think Fiat will have too much trouble moving 500s out of showrooms. Besides, the majority of people purchasing the Fiat 500 will be doing so because of its style rather than its frugality.

Gallery: 2012 Fiat 500

2012 Fiat 500

[Source: Automotive News – sub. req.]

Official 2012 Fiat 500 fuel economy numbers fall short of 40 mpg originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 28 Jan 2011 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gulf and Fiat team up in Luxembourg for a special edition 500 Abarth

Filed under: Europe, Hatchback, Fiat

Fiat Abarth 500 EsseEsse Gulf Edition

There have been some iconic racing liveries over the course of motorsport history. Martini, Marlboro, JPS… we could go on, but none carry the enthusiasm of the classic Gulf color combo. Maybe it’s because of Steve McQueen’s cult classic Le Mans. Maybe it’s the irony of the pastel colors on brutal racing machines. Whatever it is, it’s an all-time favorite. But would you want your daily driver painted in the baby-blue and orange scheme, complete with sponsor logos?

For most it’s not a tough decision to make, unless they’re driving an Aston Martin at Le Mans or buying a custom Hummer. But customers in Luxembourg now have the rare opportunity to get their hands on an officially sanctioned Gulf-liveried hot hatch.

The special edition Fiat 500 Abarth EsseEsse was initially planned as a one-off contest giveaway, created in celebration of Gulf oil’s 10th anniversary in the principality. In the end they set on making a limited run of ten examples, which are available from Fiat’s importer for BeNeLux for 25,000 euros (about $35k). It features the Gulf livery both inside and out – even the Sabelt racing buckets have their seatbacks painted in the classic scheme.

Those 10 examples are likely to sell out fast, even in a country as small as Luxembourg. The question for the rest of us is, if you had the option, would you buy one?

[Source: Autofans.be – translated]

Gulf and Fiat team up in Luxembourg for a special edition 500 Abarth originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Jan 2011 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Chevrolet Camaro SS Daytona 500 Pace Car with wings

Filed under: Motorsports, Spy Photos, Coupe, Performance, Chevrolet, GM, Specialty

Chevrolet Camaro SS Daytona 500 Pace Car

Chevrolet Camaro SS Daytona 500 Pace Car – Click above for high-res image gallery

Spoliers and skirts and lights, oh my! Chevrolet is preparing one highly customized Camaro SS to pace the upcoming Daytona 500, and it appears that the Bowtie brand has thrown every accessory at its disposal to see what would stick.

At the rear, there’s a ducktail spoiler the likes of which we haven’t seen on a Camaro since the late 1970s. The profile view is dominated by a ground-effects package that makes the pony car’s already slab-sided, Coke-bottle appearance even more pronounced. We also note a set of wheels reminiscent of the units fitted by Hurst. And it’s easy to miss the new chin spoiler and slightly modified grille.

The most noticable updates, though, are surely the lights, which have to be bright enough for the entire field at Daytona to spot them. There’s an aerodynamic light bar up top and a pair of orangey-yellow lamps out back that the spy photographer says could practically be seen from space. See for yourself in our high-res image gallery below.

Gallery: Spy Shots: Chevrolet Camaro SS Pace Car

Chevrolet Camaro SS Indy 500 Pace Car spy shots

[Source: KGP Photography]

Spy Shots: Chevrolet Camaro SS Daytona 500 Pace Car with wings originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 Jan 2011 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Barrett-Jackson 2011: Chevrolet offers up a drop-top Camaro set to lead the Indy 500 field *Update: w/video

Filed under: Convertible, Auctions, Videos, Chevrolet, GM

2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible Indy 500 Pace Car at Barrett-Jackson 2011

2011 Chevy Camaro Convertible Indy 500 Pace Car at Barrett-Jackson – Click above for high-res image gallery

Chevrolet is taking to the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale stage to auction off a special drop-top. The first of 50 limited-edition cars, this 2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible Indy 500 Pace Car will cross the stage before heading to lead the field at the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500.

The orange and white color combination matches that of the Indy-fied 1969 Chevrolet Camaro, which has since become a collectors item of its own. As far as we know, the Camaro ‘Vert will be a 2012 model, but everything here at Barrett-Jackson is listing this as a 2011.

Proceeds from the sale of this limited-edition Camaro will go the David Foster Foundation, which supports families with children in need of live-saving organ transplants. Charity cars have gone through the roof at the 2011 Barrett-Jackson auction and we would expect nothing different from this one.

The Camaro Convertible doesn’t have an official listing page, as it was something of a surprise for bidders, but you can watch Speed’s live online coverage here. Are you playing Speed’s Online Fantasy Bid Game? If not, test your auction pricing mettle by guessing what a series of featured vehicles will end up bringing at the auction block – you could end up winning a prize, like an Apple iPad. Enjoy!

*Update: The final gavel price? $225,000. Click past the jump to watch this Camaro cross the auction block.

Gallery: Chevrolet Camaro Convertible Indy 500 Pace Car at Barrett-Jackson 2011

Continue reading Barrett-Jackson 2011: Chevrolet offers up a drop-top Camaro set to lead the Indy 500 field *Update: w/video

Barrett-Jackson 2011: Chevrolet offers up a drop-top Camaro set to lead the Indy 500 field *Update: w/video originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 22 Jan 2011 20:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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

Filed under: Convertible, China, Luxury, Fiat

Fiat 500C La Dolce Vita by Fenice Milano

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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Mini: “The 500 is a darling little car… but we’re a premium brand”

Mini showed off the Paceman Concept at this year’s Detroit Auto Show and announced not long afterward that it would spawn a production model. Tom Salkowski, who recently moved from BMW USA to Mini USA to fill the role of marketing manager, will be the man charged with getting the word about about Mini’s eighth model and the ones beyond. Here’s what he had to tell us.

The small car segment has erupted over the past couple of years and “Mini has prospered” even though it “faced significantly more competition.” But when asked what kind of head-to-head competitors the brand thinks it faces, Salkowski said “maybe Volkswagen, Mazda, Scion in the small-car segment,” with the caveat that since “Mini is very much a mindset, it’s different than other vehicles,” so “for the time being we don’t see anything.” Head of product management Oliver Friedmann confirmed the assessment with, “We don’t see any one-to-one competition, maybe the Evoque could be” for the Countryman.

Salkowski offered his thoughts on the Fiat 500 with, “The 500 is a darling little car, but Mini is a premium brand.”

On the discussion of roots and heritage at other emotional brands like BMW and Lotus, when asked how big the Mini brand and Mini cars could get and still be considered Minis, Friedmann said, “That’s what we try to find out at the moment. We just jumped over the four-meter line with the Countryman,” but reaction in the three months that the crossover has been on sale in Europe has been “very positive.”

Nevertheless, it’s not about creating an acceptance of a Mini of any size. Friedman said, “The competitors for the Countryman are significantly larger. We will always stay the smallest in the segment.” But the number one rejection of Mini is due to size and space, so the company had to do something.

Mini’s been known for its irreverent advertising, and it doesn’t sound like much will change under Salkowski, with a “bigger spend on television – you only get one chance to launch a car.” There will also be a huge billboard in Times Square, and a take-off on Mini’s original U.S. launch when they had a roving Ford Excursion driving around with a Mini on its roof. This time it will be a roving Countryman with a vintage Mini, Alec Issigonis’ original, on its roof.

Gallery: Mini Paceman Concept: Detroit 2011

Mini Paceman Concept

Mini: “The 500 is a darling little car… but we’re a premium brand” originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 16 Jan 2011 09:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Detroit 2011: Mopar helps the Fiat 500 man up

Filed under: Aftermarket, Detroit Auto Show, Fiat

2011 Fiat 500 Mopar Edition – Click above for high-res image gallery

The Fiat 500 is one attractive little hatchback, but its voluptuous curves and diminutive size lend some to believe the little Italian is aimed squarely at the female demographic. We’re not so inclined to agree, especially if the 500 proves to be as fun to drive as its primary competition, but a little aesthetic tuning never hurt.

The experts at Mopar took a page from the Mini playbook with a slew of mods that could make it more attractive to the coveted 18-25 male demographic. The tweaks start on the outside with a bevy of chrome accents including side mirrors, a snazzy exhaust tip, chrome door handles and a very cherry 500-emblazoned fuel door. Out back you can’t miss the massive snowboard carrier, and the high-gloss black wheels don’t do much to avert attention either. The front end stands out with a pair of offset blue stripes that stretch all the way to the boot. Step inside and you’re greeted with 500-embossed seats and door-sills guards. Check out all the mods in the gallery below.

Gallery: Fiat 500 Mopar: Detroit 2011

Fiat 500 Mopar

Detroit 2011: Mopar helps the Fiat 500 man up originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Jan 2011 18:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Detroit Preview: Fiat 500, Chrysler 200 to get Mopar treatment

Filed under: Aftermarket, Detroit Auto Show, Chrysler, Fiat

Moparized 2012 Fiat 500

Mopar gets frisky with Chrysler’s newest vehicles – Click above for high-res image gallery

Chrysler loves to show off its Mopar-accessorized vehicles, and the 2011 Detroit Auto Show provides the perfect stage to reveal some new ones. Two vehicles slated to make an appearance are the 2011 Chrysler 200 Super S and 2012 Fiat 500.

The Chrysler 200 Super S is dropped three inches and sports a black and tungsten paint scheme. The bodywork gets updated with a slew of parts including lower chin and rear decklid spoilers. Riding on a set of 19-inch wheels, the 200 Super S gets a major shot in the style department… for better of for worse.

Mopar is also turning to its new Italian cousin, the 2012 Fiat 500, and offering styling treatments in the same vein as the 200 Super S. Chrome trim sets off the blacked-out exterior while the black and blue leather interior features various carbon fiber accents. Underneath the skin sits a Mopar strut tower brace to add a bit of stiffness.

Be sure to hop the jump and read the full press release for even more Mopar goodies making an appearance in Detroit.

Gallery: Mopar for the Chrysler 200 and Fiat 500

Moparized Chrysler 200 Moparized Fiat 500

[Source: Chrysler]

Continue reading Detroit Preview: Fiat 500, Chrysler 200 to get Mopar treatment

Detroit Preview: Fiat 500, Chrysler 200 to get Mopar treatment originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Jan 2011 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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