2013 Fiat 500 Lounge on 2040-cars

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Will the Fiat 124 Spider get an Abarth model?

Fiat is finally back in the sports-car business, as evidenced by the reveal of the 2017 124 Spider at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Naturally, the next question becomes: Will Fiat do an Abarth version? "We might look at doing a tuned version, said Olivier Francois, global head of the Fiat brand. "Maybe yes, maybe no." Francois was coy as he spoke to a group of reporters minutes after the 124 debuted in LA, but performance is a part of Fiat's genetics. While Francois wasn't telling, we think those bloodlines will translate into a higher-powered Abarth version. The 2017 Spider launches next summer, so an Abarth variant could arrive about a year later as a 2018 model. We would expect it to feature a stiffer suspension, performance wheels, Abarth badging, and enhanced aerodynamics. Some carbon-fiber pieces (perhaps the hood) would complement Fiat's always interesting palette of color choices, though a rosso corsa, like the one chosen by our illustrator, would be timeless. The engine's output would be the big question mark. The likely plan would be to tune up the 124's 1.4-liter four-cylinder MultiAir turbo rated at 160 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque in the base model. It's the same engine used in the Fiat 500 Abarth model, though the Spider has more torque. Fiat could further goose this mill, perhaps to around 190 to 200 horses, or pluck another mill from Fiat Chrysler's vast powertrain bins. The Alfa Romeo 4C's turbo 237-hp four-cylinder might also be a candidate. Like the MX-5 Miata with which it shares a platform (albeit modified), the Spider is more about driving dynamics and style than raw power. For Fiat, the 124 will offer the allure of an Italian car to the wide range of enthusiasts who can't afford Ferraris, Alfa Romeos, or Lamborghinis. "We think we can appeal to the huge number of people who aspire to a car like this," Francois said. Obviously, an Abarth price point is far in the future, but the Fiat chief said the base 124 "will be very much in line with the segment." The 2016 Miata begins at $25,735, including destination. We estimate 124 Abarth pricing could start around $32,000. The Spider will serve as Fiat's halo. It's a true sports car with a legitimate history. "This is the quintessential Italian car," Francois said. That means it won't be a volume play. The Spider might add a modest 6,000 units per year to Fiat's sales tally in the United States and perhaps 12,000 globally, said IHS Automotive senior analyst Stephanie Brinley.

2023 Fiat 500e First Drive Review: A European preview

TURIN, Italy – AmericaÂ’s relationship with the Fiat 500 has been rocky at best. Skimming over the original, pre-war model, the second-generation 500 (the one with a rear-mounted engine) was briefly sold here with funky headlights that stuck out from the front end like a bugÂ’s eyes. Small and underpowered, though a tremendous amount of fun to drive in its own way, it didnÂ’t catch on and moseyed out of our market after a few short years. The third-generation 500 spearheaded FiatÂ’s return to the United States when it disembarked here in 2012. It sold as well as you can expect a European-flavored subcompact hatchback to sell in the Ford F-150Â’s bastion and bowed out in 2019, though itÂ’s still sold across the pond alongside its intended successor. That would be the fourth-generation 500, unveiled in 2020, which kept the retro design but went electric-only. Sales in the United States are scheduled to start in early 2024, meaning the cheeky hatchback will be about four years old by the time it turns a wheel on American pavement. Is it worth the wait? I traveled to FiatÂ’s home town of Turin in northern Italy to get a better idea of what makes this fun-sized EV buzz. ThereÂ’s one point I need to address right off the bat: what you see in our gallery isnÂ’t exactly what youÂ’ll get when the new 500 rolls into American showrooms with an “e” attached to the end of its name. Fiat hasnÂ’t detailed the American-market model yet, but itÂ’s reasonable to assume most of the changes will be found on the specifications sheet and on the list of standard and optional equipment. Fiat canÂ’t take a European-market car and ship it here unchanged, but IÂ’m not expecting significant updates to the exterior or interior design — nothing suggests it will morph into an outdoorsy four-door crossover. Speaking of design, itÂ’s been the 500Â’s main selling point since the last-generation model made its debut in 2007 so FiatÂ’s edits were pretty light. IÂ’d guess someone who isnÂ’t up to date with whatÂ’s happening on car planet might not realize that theyÂ’re looking at a new 500, and thatÂ’s intentional. Still unabashedly retro, the model stands out from its predecessor with a new-look front end that features two-piece LED headlights and a big “500” emblem, bright beltline trim and a more chiseled hatch.

Mike Manley and Louis Camilleri appointments confirmed after shareholder votes

AMSTERDAM – Fiat Chrysler shareholders held a meeting yesterday to officially vote on the appointments of Mike Manley as CEO of FCA and Louis Camilleri as the CEO of Ferrari. Manley and Camilleri were announced as the replacements for Sergio Marchionne following the former chief's sudden death. At the same time, FCA announced that it would place John Elkann in the role of Chairman. A minute-long moment of silence was held at the start of the meeting in honor of Marchionne. According to reports, 99 percent of shareholder votes were in favor of Manley's appointment at FCA, and 98 percent were in favor of Camilleri taking the CEO role at Ferrari. Manley said at the shareholder's meeting that he will announce his organizational plans for the automaker by the end of September. "When we learned Sergio Marchionne could not return to work the board decided to appoint Mike Manley, who was the only candidate," Chairman John Elkann said. The chairman added the decision was based on succession plans the board was working on with Marchionne for his planned departure in 2019. Of Camilleri's direction at Ferrari, Elkann said, "Sergio Marchionne strengthened the foundations of Ferrari, now we can build on that for the future, which will be a bright future."Reuters contributed to this report.Related Video: Image Credit: Daniel Acker/Bloomberg via Getty Chrysler Fiat Sergio Marchionne FCA Mike Manley