2014 Fiat 500 Sport on 2040-cars

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Fiat 500L ad gets saucy with Paul Revere

At new vehicle first drives, there's a pretty set series of events before an automaker throws you the keys to their new baby. Predictably, there's a design presentation, a mechanical deep dive, and increasingly, an infotainment system walkthrough. Less known but just as common, however, are the marketing presentations, wherein execs talk about target customers and periodically show print and video 'creative' for their campaigns. Usually, we assembled media dutifully watch, nod and smile when shown commercials, but that's about it. Laugher - let alone universal gales of the stuff - is rare. But that's exactly what Fiat got when it showed us this not-yet-approved ad for its new 500L.
This minute-long Italian Invasion spot has gone on to hit television screens already, largely in a less-effective 30-second form, but we like this full-length director's cut best. It riffs off the historical vibe of some of Chrysler's best efforts over the last few years (the Dodge Challenger Freedom spot comes to mind) with a humorous and sexy play on the Paul Revere "The British Are Coming!" folk tale. If you haven't seen it already (it's just now going viral), scroll down to check it out. And if you already have, well, it's still worth a second look.

Fiat 124 Abarth Spider spied, may get Alfa 4C power

We've long been excited to see, hear, and drive the car that results from the in-process Fiat-Mazda partnership. The Italian brand has had access to the excellent 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata on which to base its own roadster, and the fruits of that labor will soon ripen. Spied here is not only the ensuing Fiat 124, but a hotter Abarth tuned version of the spider. At least, that's what we're hoping. Our spy shooters indicated that the car seen here not only sounded more aggressive than 'standard' 124 mules seen previously, but that it also accelerated away from their long lenses with a smartness. The 124 Spider is already rumored to make use of the 1.4-liter turbo I4 that makes 160 horsepower in the Fiat 500 Abarth, and this version may have a still-more-powerful engine. Another tell about the added output are the quad tailpipes in place of the lesser car's set of two. There's no hard evidence to support exactly which engine might be under the 124's hood, however. It's possible that the 1.7-liter turbo from Alfa Romeo 4C could be in play – with its 237-hp output – as the 124 was originally going to wear an Alfa badge. If that were to happen, however, the Fiat would almost certainly get a dual-clutch transmission instead of the purer manual box. In any event, more details about the car will no doubt crop up closer to the expected reveal this fall. Related Video:

2016 Fiat 500X Long-Term Wrap Up | Exceeds expectations

Compact crossovers are on the rise. Most shoppers are young and the competition reflects that. Everything, from our long-term 2016 Fiat 500X to the new Toyota C-HR or the upcoming Hyundai Kona, sells just as much on style as it does on substance. Our time with the 500X shows Fiat's entry into the segment has plenty of both. It's not as compromised as something like the Nissan Juke and not as sterile as the Honda HR-V. It proved to be a solid if occasionally troublesome vehicle. What were those troubles? A few wiring issues within the steering column sent car alarms blazing in the middle of the night. The same issue turned on the wipers when using the turn signal. The issues were fixed after a couple trips to the dealer. So yes, the local Fiat dealer did indeed have to fix it again. We did not confirm if the mechanic was named Tony. Still, it was charming and exceeded most of the Autoblog staff's expectations. Based on previous experiences with Fiats, we weren't sure how the 500X would fare over a year. Not all of our long-term cars leave a lasting impression, but we were sure sorry to see this one leave. Editor-in-Chief Greg Migliore - I always enjoy a night or weekend in the 500X. In fact, it was one of my go-to sign-outs. It's functional. It looks cool inside and out, and it's easy to drive. I dig the small hatchback/crossover vibe. There's room in the trunk for plenty of stuff and the back seat is reasonable for adults. This is the kind of vehicle that could turn Americans on to Fiat. It meets their needs and it's stylishly different. I like driving it. The transmission is a little weird with its shifts, but you get used to it. Sport mode makes the car a lot more responsive and it's a nice feature. The saddle brown interior looks great and held up well, and the exterior is cute with its peering headlights and subtle curves. I actually like driving this car, as opposed to our other recent long-termer, the HR-V, which was dull, slow and lacking in character. You chose the Fiat. You had to take the Honda. Executive Producer Adam Morath - I wanted to love this car, but it just wouldn't let me. First, the good: It's the best looking of the 500 lineup, offers nice utility in a stylish, compact package. The seats aren't going to offer tons of bolstering support, but they are wide and comfortable. Visibility and spacious cabin feel are also pluses. Finally, I love that you can get unique-looking materials to cover the seats.