Fiat 500

2011 Geneva Motor Show: The Premium Hatchbacks

While they may just be catching on here in America, across the ocean premium hatchbacks like the Audi A3 and Mini Cooper represent the way things are done. They offer the luxury of a larger sedan or SUV, but in a smaller, more economical and more urban-friendly form. And at this year's Geneva Motor Show, there was no shortage of automakers unveiling their new visions for the segment.

Mini came back with an even smaller concept, Infiniti and Saab threw their proverbial hats in the ring, Fiat showcase two new variants of its popular 500 model and its sister company Lancia joined with a new entry of its own. Follow the jump to see what they had to offer.

Tags: 2011 geneva motor show, 500, fiat, fiat 500, fiat 500 by gucci, fiat 500 zagato coupé, fiat 500 zagato coupe, geneva, geneva 2011, geneva motor show, infiniti, infiniti etherea, jason castriota, mini, mini rocketman, mini rocketman concept, saab, saab phoenix, zagato

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Fiat 500 by Gucci

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

As if the Fiat 500 weren't stylish enough already, now Gucci's had their way with it to create the special edition you see here. The brainchild of Lapo Elkann – the rakish playboy brother of Fiat chairman John Elkann and grandson of his late predecessor Gianni Agnelli – the Fiat 500 by Gucci is a joint effort between Gucci's creative director Frida Giannini and Fiat's Centro Stile.

Tags: 500, fiat, fiat 500, fiat 500 by gucci, gucci, lapo elkann

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Fiat Hopes To Attract Luxe Buyers To $17,000 Fiat 500 With Style

by David Kiley (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Can a car priced between $15,500 and $17,500 be of much interest to the typical luxury buyer?

It can if it's Italian and will soon be offered as a convertible and electric vehicle.

The new car is the Fiat 500, and it will start showing up in Fiat "Studios" any day now, starting in Los Angeles, and extending to 130 dealerships by the end of the year. Fiat USA's website has a full list of dealer locations.

The 500, of course, is the U.S. version of the Fiat Cinquecento that is offered today in Europe. The car seats four, has a 1.4 liter multi-air engine and comes offered in ten exterior colors and ten interiors. If you want to have a totally unique Fiat 500 in your neighborhood even if you aren't the only one, then it will be more than possible.

The entry-level car, the 500 "Pop," comes with a manual transmission, as does the mid-level version, the 500 "Sport." if you must have the automatic transmission, then you'll have to go for the top of the line "Lounge" edition.

The automatic was perfectly adequate during Luxist's drive of the car around San Diego, CA. But the manual will provide more driving enjoyment for those who like and can drive with a clutch and shifter.

The 500's EPA ratings are 30 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on highway. That's for the manual.
Cars equipped with the six-speed self-shifter will only achieve 27/34 mpg.

Fiat is making its re-entry to the U.S. after a 27 year hiatus. The Italian automaker in 2009 took control of U.S. automaker Chrysler as part of the company's bailout from the U.S. government and subsequent bankruptcy reorganization. Fiat is leveraging the Chrysler dealer network to re-introduce Fiat to American consumers, though the Fiat studios are, in many cases, in separate buildings from the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep lineups.

Tags: alfa romeo, Chrysler, design icons, Ferrari, Fiat, Fiat 500, Lancia, Maserati, MINI Cooper

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Abarth 500 Gulf Edition exclusive to Luxembourg

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Abarth 500 Gulf Edition exclusive to Luxembourg

Buyers in Luxembourg have a very exclusive new special edition on the market. Teaming up with Fiat, Gulf Oil is celebrating their tenth anniversary in the European principality with a special edition Abarth 500.

Only ten examples of the unique retro hatchback will be made, each sporting the same iconic Gulf livery that has adorned countless racing cars over the years – including the contemporary Aston Martin Le Mans Prototype. The blue and orange color scheme, complete with Gulf logos, features prominently both inside and out, and the Abarth 500 EsseEsse comes equipped with all the options for 25,000 euros (about $35,000).

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Tags: 500, abarth, abarth 500, abarth 500 esseesse, fiat, fiat 500, fiat 500 abarth, fiat 500 abarth esseesse, gulf, gulf oil, luxembourg

Vroom Vroom by Lorenzo Quinn

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Art

London's swanky Park Lane boulevard has just received a new art installation piece, and it's sure to turn some heads. Simply entitled "Vroom Vroom", the piece is the brainchild of one Lorenzo Quinn. It's built around the classic Fiat 500 that was the sculptor's first car, grasped by a giant hand crafted out of aluminum and modeled after his own son's.

The impression is that of an oversized child playing with a toy that to us would seem like a full-size car. The piece was previously displayed in Abu Dhabi and Valencia, Spain, before making its way to the neighborhood that is home to some of London's finest hotels and boutiques.

Tags: fiat 500, installation, installation art, london, lorenzo quinn, park lane, sculpture, vroom vroom

Chinese Man Orders a €500,000 Fiat 500

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

You remember Fenice Milano, don't you? The Italian car modifier is the outfit behind the La Dolce Vita edition Fiat 500. And now someone's ordered one for a reported €500,000. That's easily twenty times what the base car costs, so what did the anonymous Chinese buyer get for his money?

For starters, this vehicle didn't start life as the base Fiat 500. It's an Abarth 500C, the performance model with the convertible roof. Romeo Ferraris was brought in to tune the engine up to 200 horsepower and install a custom suspension and Brembo brakes. Then Fenice Milano gave it a 24-karat gold paint job, decked the interior out in teak and installed a diamond-studded iPod "supreme edition" from Stuart Hughes. Have a closer look in the gallery below and the video after the jump.

Gallery: "La Dolce Vita" Fiat by Fenice Milano

Tags: fenice milano, fiat 500, fiat 500c abarth, romeo ferraris, stuart hughes

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Abarth 500 Monza Limited Edition by Fenice Milano & Romeo Ferraris

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Abarth 500 Monza Limited Edition by Fenice Milano & Romeo Ferraris

Romeo Ferraris and Fenice Milano share a common passion for the Fiat 500. While both Italian tuning houses have taken on far more expensive machinery, they've also devoted considerable attention to the retro hatchback, and have chosen it as their way of paying tribute to one of Italy's most famous racing tracks.

The Abarth 500 Monza edition is limited to just ten individually numbered and personalized examples. Romeo Ferraris stepped in to give it nearly twice as much horsepower (260 vs 135 stock), upgraded brakes and wheels and a full aero kit. Fenice Milano has given it a custom paint job with red and blue stripes, Monza logos and a white leather interior, complete with custom tote bag. Take a closer look in the gallery below.

Gallery: Abarth 500 Monza by Fenice Milano & Romeo Ferraris

Tags: 500, abarth, abarth 500, fenice milano, fiat, fiat 500, fiat 500 abarth, monza, romeo ferraris

LA Auto Show: Will The Fiat 500 Draw Luxe Buyers in America?

by David Kiley (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Fiat is not a luxury brand in Europe and South America where its vehicles are primarily sold. And neither has MINI been a luxury brand. But just as MINI has created a small-car premium category that has attracted many luxury car owners, Fiat is hoping to draw the same customers with its 500 model, which will go on sale in the U.S. starting in January.

The 500 has been on display at previous U.S. auto shows, but it was in Los Angeles, that the automaker unveiled the final version. It is slightly different than the model Fiat already sells in Europe, with changes made to the front end and rear-end to comply with U.S. safety standards.

With a starting price of $15,500, the 500 can hardly be called "luxe." But the car, which will go on sale in about 130 Chrysler Group LLC dealerships across the country, is only about $500 less to start than the BMW Mini Cooper.

But just as options and accessorizing can drive a MINI Cooper price up well above $20,000, even close to $30,000, Fiat is hoping the 500 has cachet enough to attract people who will pay up to personalize it.

Pricing for the 500 starts at $15,500 for the base model, which is referred to as the Fiat 500 Pop. The 500 Sport is priced at $17,500 and the top-shelf 500 Lounge will cost you $19,500.

Gallery: Fiat 500 for USA

Tags: Fiat 500, LA Auto Show, Los Angeles Auto Show, sergio marchionne

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First Fiat 500 in North America Brings in $85,000 at Toronto Charity Auction

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Auctions, Charity

Fiat would not exactly be considered a luxury automaker, but their spritely 500 hatchback has been winning over premium buyers around the world. Soon it will be on American shores as well – a little sooner than we thought, as it turns out, as the first one has already been sold on the Western banks of the Atlantic. But not in the United States.

Chrysler Canada donated the very first Fiat 500 for the 17th annual Venetian Ball in Toronto as a fundraiser for the Villa Charities. The organization helps the elderly and mentally handicapped in Canada's Italian community, and the little Fiat raised $85,000 – in Canadian funds, mind you, which are worth more than American these days – for the charity.

Gallery: Fiat 500 at 17th Annual Venetian Ball

Tags: charity auction, fiat, fiat 500, fiat 500 prima edizione, venetian ball, villa charities

Fiat 500C "La Dolce Vita" by Fenice Milano

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

If you've got taste, flaunt it. Or so they say, but what if you have none? Flaunt it anyway, as the case may be with Fenice Milano.

The Italian house of Bling that gave us the Diva edition Rolls-Royce Ghost has come back with La Dolce Vita, its own blindingly glitzy take on the decidedly more accessible Fiat 500C.

Like with the Rolls, Fenice has decked out the Fiat in 24-karat gold trim and refitted the interior with teak veneers, gold accents and custom leather upholstery, fitting a new dashboard with Mini-esque central instrument binnacle in the process. There's also a series of mechanical upgrades available, but we doubt anyone will be paying much attention at that point.

Gallery: "La Dolce Vita" Fiat by Fenice Milano

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Tags: 500C, Dolce Vita, Fenice, Fenice Milano, Fiat 500, Fiat 500C, La Dolce Vita

Fiat 500 BlackJack Edition

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

If the Pink edition of the Fiat 500 wasn't at your pace, the Italian automaker has just announced the new BlackJack edition. As you might have guessed, the new special features a matt black exterior finish, offset by glossy black trim and red accents on the black wheels. The interior is presumed to continue the black treatment, and UK buyers can choose between 1.2 (£12,165) and 1.4-liter (£13,565) engines, each featuring the Start&Stop system that saves fuel when the car is not in motion. Production will be strictly limited to 200 examples, initially available exclusively through the Fiat website.

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Tags: 500 black jack, black jack, fiat, fiat 500, fiat 500 black jack

Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari Retails for $47K

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

If beauty is in the eye of the beholder, then surely value has come to the same. Take the Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari, for example. It's based on the Fiat 500, one of the most affordable, yet stylish cars on the market.

The Tributo Ferrari edition was unveiled almost a year ago at the Frankfurt Motor Show. It features a powerful 180-horsepower 1.4-liter 16-valve turbocharged four-cylinder engine, sport suspension, performance wheels, upgraded brakes and a special paint scheme inspired by the Ferrari 430 Scuderia.

The special edition has just gone on sale in the UK, where it is commanding a hefty £29,600 – nearly $47,000 in equivalent US Dollars. That's a big chunk of cash for a car that, in base form, doesn't cost half that much. But then, with only 152 right-hand drive models being shipped to the UK, exclusivity does have its price.

Gallery: Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari

Tags: 695, abarth, abarth 695, Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari, Fiat 500, Fiat 500 Abarth

Fiat 500C by Diesel

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

The Fiat 500 has rapidly emerged as the must-have fashion accessory for style-conscious motorists in Europe and Asia. That bit has been helped along by the various special editions the Italian automaker has produced in conjunction with upscale denim powerhouse Diesel, and this is the latest.

Based on the convertible 500C – which features a unique retractable roof that slides between a solid frame – the latest Diesel edition had its unveiling on April 12 in Japan in advance of its sales debut next month in its home market, where the price tag will come to around the equivalent of $24,000. Three color options are available, including the dark indigo exterior paint you see above, with a denim-inspired interior to match.

Tags: 500, 500 c, diesel, diesel industry, diesel jeans, fiat, fiat 500, Fiat 500 by Diesel, fiat 500 diesel, fiat 500c, fiat 500c by diesel, fiat 500c diesel

Fiat 500C Pink Limited Edition Drops Its Top

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Everybody's got a different reason for their choice in automobile. For some it may be the hood ornament that acts as a status symbol. For others it could be something as simple as an iPod connector. And some see their vehicle as just another fashion accessory.

For that last category of buyer, Fiat UK released a special-edition 500 Pink a few months back. Now they're following up with a convertible version, called the 500C Pink. Based on the 500C 1.2 Pop trim level, the Pink edition doesn't cost an arm and a leg at £13,500 (about $20k), representing a £1,200 premium over a conventionally-colored model while carrying £1,870 worth of extra equipment. Which just goes to show that fashion accessories needn't be expensive. Good taste, on the other hand....

Tags: 500, 500 c, fiat, fiat 500, fiat 500 pink, fiat 500c, fiat 500c pink, fiat uk, pink

Fiat Launches Special Edition 500 Pink

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Looking for the perfect chariot for your next shopping excursion down to Chelsea? Look no further than the Fiat 500 Pink. Launched by Fiat UK, the 500 Pink is exactly that: pink. And though there's not much else to distinguish this special edition Cinquocente from any other, it comes with about £1,500 worth of optional extras – from the sunroof to the enviro-chic start-stop engine management – for only a £1,000 premium, which leaves an extra £500 left over for a matching pair of pumps. Barbie doll not included.

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Tags: 500, cinquocente, fiat, fiat 500, fiat 500 pink, Fiat500, Fiat500Pink, pink

Fiat 500

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