2014 Fiat 500l Trekking on 2040-cars

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2017 Fiat 124 Spider: Japanese bones, Italian flair

Fiata! Fiat + Miata. That's exactly what we have here in the new 124 Spider that officially debuts in Los Angeles this week. FCA leveraged Mazda's excellent fourth-generation MX-5 Miata platform, but created something rather unique in the process. Yes, it's more than just a rebadged Mazda. See what we mean with a lot more detail, here. The big difference is design, Fiat having incorporated totally new sheetmetal for the 124 Spider. It's a polarizing look, perhaps not as friendly as the Mazda, and Fiat says it pays homage to the original 124 Spider from long ago. There's an upright fascia with rounded lamps and a nice LED running lamp signature, mimicked out back with squared-off taillamps with LEDs that light up the outline of the taillamp housings. Curves and lines abound, making the Fiat an interesting roadster to behold. Under the hood lies Fiat's 1.4-liter, turbocharged, inline four-cylinder engine, plucked from the 500 Abarth. It makes 160 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, and can be mated to either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. Fiat's quite insistent that its 124 Spider has the soul of a proper Italian roadster, and from some short teaser videos we were able to watch, it sounds like the little droptop will offer plenty of raspy, throaty, aural delight. The interior is, well, straight from the Miata, right down to the control knobs for the HVAC system, infotainment screen (no UConnect here), and window switches. But that also means the roof is easy to unlatch and throw back, the seats are surprisingly comfortable, and there's ample room for even larger drivers. Fiat will launch the 124 Spider next summer, and the first 124 examples will be offered in a limited-edition Prima Edizione Lusso trim, with individually numbered badges. Those first samples will be available in a unique Azzurro Italia (read: blue) paint. Read Fiat's full press release below for more details, and don't forget to check out or deep dive about how this car stacks up agains the Miata on which its based. All-new 2017 Fiat 124 Spider Revives Legendary Nameplate with Iconic Italian Styling and Dynamic Driving Experience - 2017 Fiat 124 Spider returns nearly 50 years after original introduction Revival of roadster continues expansion of FIAT brand in North America - Delivers iconic Italian style with modern adaptation of original Spider legend - Powered by turbocharged MultiAir 1.4-liter engine for 160 horsepower and 184 lb.-ft.

Fiat 500 Cattiva on the way

While its dealer body has been clamoring for new and larger models, Fiat has actually done a pretty good trade selling all manner of 500 variants, from the standard hatchback and 500C cabriolet to its Abarth models, 500e electric runabout and special editions like the Gucci.
Fiat USA was a little slow out of the gates as it built up brand awareness and its dealer network, but it's now chugging along, with combined 500 model sales outselling that of its arch rival Mini (provided you subtract the Countryman crossover, a model for which Fiat has had no direct competitor up until this point). Franchisees are finally about to get the bigger, broader-appeal model they've been seeking in the form of the five-door 500L, but Fiat is still going to be devoting a lot of attention to their whisker-faced icon, the Cinquecento.
As proof, at the first drive event of the 500L in Baltimore, Fiat North America boss Jason Stoicevich confirmed that his company will produce a production version of the 500 Cattiva concept shown at the Detroit Auto Show in January. Stoicevich wouldn't divulge the model's pricepoint or availability timeframe, but he told us, "I can guarantee you it will happen. I just can't tell you when."

Marchionne's FCA-GM merger might come after Ferrari spinoff

Sergio Marchionne is continuing to rumble about working out a merger with General Motors, but don't expect anything big to happen before at least early next year. That's because Marchionne would likely wait for the Ferrari spin-off to be complete before beginning his next big deal, according to Automotive News. While the Ferrari IPO on the New York Stock Exchange is expected in the coming weeks, that only concerns 10 percent of the shares. The remaining 80 percent of stock is being distributed among shareholders in 2016. Piero Ferrari holds the final 10 percent with no intention to sell. This strategy allows FCA to claim 80 percent of the Prancing Horse's profits in the automaker's 2015 financial results. According to Automotive News, the tactic has other advantages, as well. FCA would be flush with cash by waiting for the spin-off to be complete, and it would keep Ferrari separate if a GM merger actually happens. Marchionne thinks Ferrari could be valued at over $11 billion in the IPO, and it could make FCA $3.3 billion richer when complete. Marchionne believes a combined FCA/GM could sell 17 million vehicles a year globally and rake in $30 billion in earnings. In the CEO's opinion, the two automakers are wasting money by developing components to do the same things on their vehicles. Although, so far the General's top execs are rebuffing all of his advances.