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Fiat reveals oddball FCC4 in Sao Paulo

The striking new concept vehicle seen above is called the FCC4, which stands for Fiat Concept Car... with, um, four doors. We're not quite sure what else to call it, because the Fiat Design Center Latam (as in, Latin America) has apparently tried to transcend market segments and traditional bodystyles as much as possible. It's sort of like a four-door coupe, riding high on a jacked-up suspension, with what looks at first like a pickup bed but is actually covered by a sloping glass fastback.
And we thought the Strada was weird.
This Sao Paulo Motor Show showcar is the kind of thing that makes the BMW X6 look positively conventional. Only BMW actually, you know... built theirs and put it on the market. And then it built another. The FCC4 is also longer than an X6, and less than two inches smaller in both width and height. All that weirdness is done up in metallic blue with LED lighting and a face that looks like someone gave the Range Rover Evoque a fat lip.

Autoblog Minute: Marchionne seems prepared to lead FCA in takeover of GM

FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne wants industry consolidation but without any deal takers it seems as though he's ready to consider a hostile takeover. Autoblog's Chris McGraw reports on this edition of Autoblog Minute with commentary from Autoblog editor-in-chief Mike Austin. Show full video transcript text [00:00:00] It's no secret that FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne wants industry consolidation but without any deal takers it seems as though he's ready to consider a hostile takeover. I'm Chris McGraw and this is your Autoblog Minute. Marchionne is tired of waiting for the industry to get on board with his consolidation plan. In an interview with Automotive News Marchionne was quoted as saying, "it would be unconscionable not to force a partner." And when pushed further about the nature of any potential takeover plan the FCA chief had this to say: "Not hostile. There are varying degrees of hugs. I can hug you nicely, I can hug you tightly, I can hug you like a bear, I can really hug you. Everything starts with physical contact. Then it can degrade, but it starts with physical contact." Metaphor aside, Marchionne suggests his numbers for a GM-FCA merger are irrefutable, pointing to potential global earnings of a 30 billion dollars. Without a merger deal on the horizon we have to wonder if an FCA takeover of GM even possible. For more we go to Autoblog's Mike Austin: [Mike Austin Interview] Marchionne says GM won't take his phone calls, and while he admits a merger with GM would be a hard road to haul it's one he's still determined to travel. We'll continue to monitor the story as it develops. For Autoblog, I'm Chris McGraw. Autoblog Minute is a short-form video news series reporting on all things automotive. Each segment offers a quick and clear picture of what's happening in the automotive industry from the perspective of Autoblog's expert editorial staff, auto executives, and industry professionals. UAW/Unions Chrysler Fiat GM Autoblog Minute Videos Original Video

Fiat jokes 124 Spider as effective as Viagra

Fiat has released a follow up to its innuendo-laden 500X ad from last year. But rather than a crossover, um, reacting to a certain little blue pill, the company's new 124 Spider is the pill. Now, Road and Track readers might remember seeing something about this video. It originally aired as part of the 124 Spider's debut footage from the 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show. At the time, it wasn't supposed to become a commercial – it was just a riff on a cheeky spot meant to sell CUVs. This new commercial is identical to the original footage shown in LA. Using the same old Italian couple as the previous spot, this new ad features an Italian man run out of his Viagra, and run off to get more. As it turns out, he just didn't need it. That's about all you need to know, really. So check out the ad up top.