The 2013 Fiat 500L offers “MPV passenger space combined with the feel of a small SUV on the road and the restrained dimensions and efficiency of a B segment car, the new Fiat model defies the conventional distinctions between the various segments, combining the typical characteristics of different categories in order to create a distinctive alternative to the traditional B and C segments,” Fiat said in a statement.”

Check out more news on the Fiat 500.

The model is a 5-seater and measures 414 cm long, 178 cm wide and 166 cm high. Engine choices will initially include two gasoline engines (TwinAir and 1.4-liter) and a turbo diesel (1.3 MultiJet II).

Sales will kick of in Europe in the last quarter of 2012. No word if it will make it to the stateside.

- By: Omar Rana

“Adding even more style to the new 2012 Fiat 500 Sport, the Fiat 500 Stinger features Giallo (yellow) exterior paint combined with unique blackened exterior and interior appointments – all designed to amplify the hatchback’s athletic Italian styling,” Chrysler said in a statement.

Check out more news on the Fiat 500.

Stage 1 upgrades include the Fiat 500 Stinger’s signature ‘whiskers and logo’ face with circular projector headlamps that are finished in Black Chrome. It also gets the Giallo bodyside exterior door handles, mirror caps finished in Black Chrome, while larger 17-inch by 7-inch Abarth Hyper Black aluminum wheels with wider 205/40 R 17 performance tires, tinted head and taillamps and license-plate brow, and Mopar’s vinyl bodyside and roof graphics in black checker. The inside gets the dual Giallo and black feel with Mopar’s Katzkin leather seats, Alcantara trim carbon fiber panels and all that good stuff.

Stage 2 includes performance modifications that ensure the Fiat 500 Stinger delivers improved power and braking capability. That’s a nicer way of saying no crazy changes are made to the 1.4 liter 16-valve MultiAir, but it just handles and drives a little tighter.

- By: Omar Rana

Fiat SpA. has clearly recognized their expectations with sales figures for the 500 were not met. As a result, CEO Sergio Marchionne has been hard at work to rectify the situation. Part of his efforts includes expanding the 500’s lineup, which has resulted in a clear aim at the popular selling Mini brand—at least here in America—and other compact car manufacturers as well.

And supposedly, as part of these plans, word in the rumor mill is that Fiat is planning an MPV version of the 500 that is apparently to be dubbed the 500L. Over in Europe, the “500L” would directly compete against the Citroen C3 Picasso and the new Nissan Note.

Other details in this rumor include the possibility of either five- or seven-seat layouts for Europe with an extended wheelbase of 10mm.

Should this new 500 take form, we could expect it to debut in this year’s upcoming Geneva Motor Show. Fiat reportedly declined any confirmation, but it wouldn’t be illogical to think that America could see this potential new 500 variant as well to compete against the Mini Countryman.

- By: Chris Chin

Source: WhatCar?

For the 2013 model year, a new Dodge Avenger, Jeep Comapss and Liberty, and a Chrysler 200 all have new versions being released. It has recently been released that they will all be sharing the underpinning of the 2013 Dodge Dart Compact U.S. Wide platform.

The CUSW platform is actually a bigger version of the Alfa Romeo Giulietta hatchback, and although shared amongst all the models, none will be manufactured with the Dart in Belvedere, Illinois, but in Toledo, Ohio where the Liberty is currently built.

On the positive side, one platform amongst six models is cost effective; however automakers may be met with some degree of challenge to satisfy its SUV clientele. This change also leaves the Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country models with undetermined futures.

The Chrysler brand is supposed to expand as well, although no details are out just yet as to how. There is a possibility for a 100 model compact hatchback, or bringing U.K. models over to the U.S. Alfa Romeo’s U.S. return is also in the works for next year, as well.

By: Alexandra Koken

Source: USAToday

Fiat has announced pricing on the new 2012 500 Abarth hatchback, which goes on sale later this year. Prices for the 2012 Fiat 500 Abarth start at $22,000 (not including destination).

“The Fiat 500 Abarth feels like a double shot of espresso straight to your veins,” said Tim Kuniskis, Head of FIAT Brand for North America, Chrysler Group LLC. “With its wicked attitude, it will reward adrenaline fans who no longer need to pay six figures to feel the rush of true Italian performance.”

Power for the 2012 Fiat 500 Abarth comes from 1.4 liter MultiAir Turbo engine making 160-hp with a maximum torque of 170 lb-ft. The 500 Abarth also features Abarth-tuned suspension, brake systems and dual exhaust, turbo-boost gauge with integrated LED shift light and 16-inch aluminum wheels.

The 2012 Fiat 500 Abarth comes standard with BLUE&ME Handsfree Communication, Bose premium audio system and steering-wheel-mounted audio controls.

- By: Omar Rana

So the Fiat 500 has been making quite a hype, particularly since the small car serves as Fiat’s first adventure back into the US market after being away for 30 years. Unfortunately though, word is that the first year sales for the brand didn’t go as expected and went rather poorly. To try and remedy the situation, the Chrysler Group apparently told reporters that Fiat is working on a wagon version of the 500. And if you think that Fiat’s basically taking direct aim at MINI’s Clubman, your assumptions would be correct.

Fiat was only able to ship 26,000 500s to owners in the US, nearly half of what the brand was expecting.

“We thought we were going to show up and just because of the fact people like gelato and pasta, people will buy it,” Marchionne said in an interview. “This is nonsense.”

Marchionne added that he wants to tighten the Fiat and Chrysler partnership more with hopes that “revenue will increase by more than 100 billion by 2014.” I don’t know about you, but it doesn’t matter what major first-world currency that may be. That’s a very bold claim.

Chrysler added that this new “wagon” 500 will have five-doors and hopes that Fiat will see the same success that BMW saw with the MINI.

“Mini started with a product everybody said would never work,” said Marc Cannon of AutoNation, Fiat’s largest U.S. dealer. “They added more product, the pipeline was slowly built and now everybody wants Mini dealerships.”

- By: Chris Chin

Source: AutoNews

2011 was a pretty outstanding year for new product launches in the electronics and automotive industry. However, what were the worst product flops of 2011?

Publication 24/7 Wall St. looked at the biggest product launches of 2011 in order to identify the worst top seven worst and guess what cars made the list? The Fiat 500 and the Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid.

Read more news on the Chevrolet Volt.

Obviously both products are fairly new to the U.S. market – the Fiat 500 being the only car that the brand came back to the U.S. with and the Chevrolet Volt being the first plug-in hybrid sedan on the road.

Click here for more news on the Fiat 500.

Your thoughts on these two failures? Let us know in the comments section after the jump.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Yahoo Finance

A compact wagon has been absent from the Fiat, Alfa and Lancia brands since the 2008 retirement of the Fiat Stilo Multi Wagon. Now, Alfa Romeo is bringing the wagon back to its European Giulietta line for 2013.

In Italy, Germany, and other key European markets, wagons account for as much as three quarters of compact segment sales, and close to a quarter of the sales in Europe overall. With no current competitor in the segment there, this will fill the gap for Fiat S.p.A.

As Alfa expands its line up, the new Giuletta wagon will also help dealers increase sales until upcoming Chrysler-provided crossover and mid-sized Giulia models hit showrooms. The brand only now has the MiTo subcompact and the Giulietta available.

The Giulietta made up 60 percent of total European sales for Alfa, data from the ACEA shows, and Alpha’s sales increased to 122,401 units, up 21 percent through November this year. The wagon is expected to further improve these numbers.

Alpha has no plans to bring the wagon variant to the U.S., as the body style does not do as well as crossovers and sedans, but may send a hatchback to the U.S. for 2013 instead.

- By: Alexandra Koken

Source: AutoNews

Click here for more news on the Alfa Romeo 4C.

Expected target weight will come in right under 2,000 with a 230-hp engine out of Giulietta Cloverleaf. The engine is already advanced but the production Alfa 4C will use an aluminium-block direct-injection turbo that’s lighter. The engine will be mated to a twin-clutch with steering-wheel mounted paddle shifters. 0-62 mph will come in around 4.5 seconds.

Sources say that the model will eventually get a new engine in the future making around 300-hp. A convertible version is also in the works.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: TopGear

Fiat SpA will fall short of its 2.7 million sales target for 2012 by half a million units, while Chrysler Group LLC is estimated to hit its goal of selling 2.4 million vehicles, the Italian company said.

Fiat and Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne expects both groups to grow to 4.6 million in total vehicle sales in 2012 – however, he still expects to hit his target of 5.9 million vehicles in 2014. To reach that target, Fiat and Chrysler will have to grow by 1.3 million vehicles in combined sales in 2013 and 2014.

When Fiat’s 5-year plan was announced in April 2010, Marchionne said that the Fiat would sell 2.3 million units this year and 2.7 million next year.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Automotive News

Fiat recently has been working very hard to clinch the US market with what seemed like a pretty good offering: the 500 Abarth, but their efforts seem to have been slightly in vain. The National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has just ‘awarded’ three stars to the Fiat 500 for safety, though the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) named the car a top safety pick.

The NHTSA is still rolling out test results of other vehicles, but thus far, the Fiat seems to have scored the worse except for the outgoing Dodge Caliber and Ford Escape. This comes as a punishing blow to a retro car which has not been enjoying the sustained sales seen by BMW’s Mini Cooper. Speaking of which, the new Mini, Honda Fit, Chevrolet Spark and Toyota Yaris have not been tested yet. The Ford Fiesta has though: four stars.

Click here for more news on the Fiat 500.

The crash test data however is slightly more interesting: the car received four stars for rollover and frontal crash safety, but just two for side impact crash safety. The NHTSA side impact test involves hitting a pole and a wall at just under 40 miles per hour.

The Fiat comes with side curtain airbags and torso/pelvis airbags and while the front seats scored 5 stars in this simulated t-bone situation, rear seat passenger safety is rated only at two stars. The second part of the side impact test involves a 20 mph collision with a narrow pole, in this case the front seats got a score of three stars.

Chrysler’s reaction to the NHTSA test essentially pointed out the number of airbags and the aforementioned praise from the IIHS.

- By: Sawyer Sutton

Source: AutoWeek

Fiat’s spicy commercial ‘Seduction’ made its debut alongside the Fiat 500 Abarth at the 2011 LA Auto Show. Since then, the video has gathered more than 2 million views on YouTube and is now receiving the pop-up video treatment from VH1.

A pop-up version of the commercial will be featured on VH1.com’s ‘Pop-Up Video’ site (http://on.vh1.com/FIATpop) starting today through Saturday, Dec. 31.

Click here for our original post on the Fiat 500 Abarth.

“’Seduction’ was created to generate awareness for the introduction of the 2012 Fiat 500 Abarth – it’s an edgy video that captures the intensity of this all-new vehicle,” said Tim Kuniskis, Head of FIAT Brand North America. “VH1 has taken “Seduction” to the next level by giving it another unique and fun twist that both FIAT and VH1 fans will thoroughly enjoy.”

Refresher: The 2012 Fiat 500 Abarth is powered by a new 1.4 liter MultiAir Turbo engine that pushes up to 160-hp. Sales start early 2012.

- By: Omar Rana

The new 2012 Fiat 500 Abarth recently stopped by at Jay Leno’s Garage, Joe Grace, Fiat Vehicle Line Executive. Other than taking the Fiat 500 Abarth for a spin, Leno received a short history lesson from Grace on the brand’s heritage.

Click here for our original post on the Fiat 500 Abarth.

Check out the video after the jump.

Refresher: The 2012 Fiat 500 Abarth is powered by a new 1.4 liter MultiAir Turbo engine that pushes up to 160-hp. Sales start early 2012.

- By: Omar Rana

Chrysler Group LLC is taking out a little time today to celebrate 1 million hits (in just one week) on YouTube for its new 2012 Fiat 500 Abarth ‘Seduction’ commercial.

“The Fiat brand is thrilled to learn that our spot has captured the attention of so many people across the globe” said Olivier Francois – Head of Fiat Brand and Chief Marketing Officer, Chrysler Group LLC. “What was created as video introduction for the Fiat 500 Abarth’s U.S. debut is gaining global momentum and becoming news in its own right. Indeed, it’s become a seductive way to maintain excitement and increase awareness for our newest model.”

Click here for our original post on the Fiat 500 Abarth.

We really hope the 1 million hits has everything to do with the Fiat 500 Abarth and not the seduction appeal of Catrinel Menghia (the model in the commercial).

Check out the commercial after the jump of  you haven’t already done so.

Refresher: The 2012 Fiat 500 Abarth is powered by a new 1.4 liter MultiAir Turbo engine that pushes up to 160-hp. Sales start early 2012.

- By: Omar Rana

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has come across an issue with contaminated brake fluid, resulting in a recall of approximately 340 2012 Doge Journey and Fiat 500 models.

Chrysler’s models can loose braking ability due to the contaminated fluid, a problem that came up at the Toluca Assembly Plant in Mexico.

“Some vehicles were assembled with contaminated brake fluid and may experience a degradation of the sealing components within the brake system,” said NHTSA in its recalls summary of the problem.

“It was determined that one drum was filled with a red-colored fluid that was suspected to be power steering fluid,” Chrysler said. “The brake evac and fill machines were completely disassembled and replaced (sic) all nylon and rubber components as well as replacing the internal tanks. All other components were washed in soap and water than dried thoroughly.”

The recall is expected to begin in December, with Fiat and Dodge dealers available to fix the problem. Chrysler can be reached at 1-800-85301403 for further details. All parts will be replaced that come in contact with hydraulic brake fluid to resolve the matter.

- By: Alexandra Koken

Source: Inside Line

Imagine what would happen if a Ferrari designer blessed Chrysler models with some style? Well, that’s exactly what’s going on right now as we type this. Fiat SpA, which now owns a controlling stake in Chrysler Group LLC is counting on Lorenzo Ramaciotti, the designer of the Ferrari 612 Scaglietti, to make Chrysler models appear at home in Detroit and Milan.

63-year old Ramaciotti has a goal to create a common styling for Chrysler and its Italian sibling Lancia in a bid to save/cut costs and double sales of each brand by 2014.

“We are trying to find an international language, which could have a place both here in Italy and in the U.S.,” Ramaciotti, who heads design at Fiat and Chrysler, told Bloomberg in an interview. “If you put all the models into the showroom, they must fit together. It’s a delicate problem.”

Fiat and Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne combined Chrysler and Lancia to put together a strong global team. Marchionne is aiming to increase sales of the group to 5.9 million vehicles by 2014.

Target deliveries for Chrysler and Lancia are planned to hit 800,000 in three years, up from the current 300,000 right now.

We wish Ramaciotti all the luck.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Bloomberg

The new models are aimed at buyers who want subtle but sporty qualities out of their 500. Power will be the same for each, with a 1.4-liter turbo four-cylinder T-Jet motor that makes 160-hp at 169.9 lb-ft of torque. Top speeds reach 131mph, and the tiny car goes form 0-62mph in 7.4 seconds. Performance upgrades are available for both cars, as well.

For the 595 Competizione, a 5-speed manual transmission is included, and the 595 Turismo is mated to an electric manual with steering-wheel-mounted control.

The 595 Turismo is painted in black and red two-tone, comes with 17-inch alloys, and has an interior to match the exterior, plus aluminum accents and pedals.

Fiat’s Competizione version get a coat of Grigio Record exterior paint that coats the 17-inch wheels as well, Brembo brakes, and a two tone leather and alcantara interior.

Also making its premier appearance at the Bologna show is the Abarth 695 “Assetto Corse”, a track version of the 500 that is powered by a 1.4-liter turbo charged four-cylinder. The motor puts out 205hp and the car comes with wheels, brakes, suspension, and transmission all race-spec.

- By: Alexandra Koken

Chrysler Group LLC announced today that the head of Fiat Brand for North America, Laura Soave, is leaving the company. Soave will be replaced by Timothy Kuniskis who recently served as Director for both the Chrysler Brand and Fiat Brand Product Marketing.

The move is effective immediately.

Rumor has it that Soave was let go over an improper work relationship – and we’re guessing sluggish sales of the Fiat 500 didn’t help much.
“Tim brings broad expertise and leadership in dealer operations and marketing where he has been already working with the team to shape the direction of the Fiat Brand,” said Sergio Marchionne, Chairman and CEO, Chrysler Group LLC. “As North American Head of Fiat, much of his immediate focus will be working with the dealer body where his fresh perspective from the operational side, as well as that on the commercial side, will begin the Fiat Brand’s next chapter.”

“Laura Soave has left the Company and will pursue other interests,” Chrysler said in a statement.

- By: Omar Rana