Abarth New Manual Convertible 1.4l Cd Black Seats Turbocharged Front Wheel Drive on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Germany threatens to ban FCA vehicles over diesel emissions dispute

Germany is threatening to ban sales of FCA products over diesel emissions. According to the newspaper Bild Am Sonntag, Germany's Federal Motor Transport Authority found evidence of a so-called defeat device that shuts down certain emissions controls after running for 22 minutes. A standard diesel emissions test in the European Union reportedly takes 20 minutes to complete. FCA denies the allegations. "We believe all our vehicles respect EU emissions standards and we believe Italian regulators are the competent authority to evaluate this," the company said in a statement. The latter part of that statement drew ire from German authorities, especially after FCA declined to meet with German transport minister Alexander Dobrindt to discuss the issue. Graziano Delrio, the Italian Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, vowed to work with German authorities on behalf of FCA. According to EU law, FCA is required to homologate its vehicles in Italy because that's where its regional operations are based. When will the diesel-scented soap opera end? We wish we knew, but our Magic 8 Ball is covered in soot. Related Video: News Source: Financial TimesImage Credit: Giuseppe Aresu/Bloomberg via Getty Government/Legal Green Chrysler Dodge Fiat Jeep RAM Emissions Diesel Vehicles FCA

Fiat 124 caught entirely undisguised

Dear automakers, please continue making these kind of mistakes. Thanks to what we're guessing is some lax security, the all-new, Mazda MX-5 Miata-based Fiat 124 was spotted taking part in a photo shoot near Santa Barbara, CA. The images show what we'd consider a fairly simple rebadging job. The 124 gets new front and rear clips that not only harken back to the original 124 (not to mention other Fiat roadsters, like the Barchetta), but also serves to distance this droptop from the rest of the company's US range. The similarities between the 124 and the car it's based on are even more obvious in the cabin. This is an MX-5 interior with Fiat's big, red badge on the tiller. That means the same quality materials and knob-dial infotainment system that have been so well received in the Miata. It's under the hood, though, where the Fiat really differs from its Japanese cousin. According to our spy, the vehicle shown here features some kind of two-pedal setup – probably the six-speed Euro twin-clutch used in the 500L and Dodge Dart. Don't worry, though, a six-speed stick will also be on offer. Regardless of transmission, we can expect a 180-horsepower version of the 1.4-liter, turbocharged, four-cylinder offered in the 500 Abarth. And if that's not enough good news, a dedicated Abarth model will likely arrive after launch, which our spies claim will use the 1.75-liter turbo and DCT from the Alfa Romeo 4C. While this represents a good look at the new 124, we'll probably be waiting until the LA Auto Show in November for the official look. Stay tuned.

2020 Fiat 124 Spider Abarth gets ‘Scorpion Sting' appearance package

There’s currently a cloud of uncertainty surrounding much of the Fiat lineup, and especially the 124 Spider after the brandÂ’s CEO, Olivier Francois, was recently quoted as saying that FiatÂ’s sporty cars “have no legitimacy” and the brand needs to focus elsewhere in the future. It recently pulled the convertible from the U.K., and through the first six months of the year here in the U.S., it had sold a mere 1,528 models, down 19%. (Fun fact: for the first half of 2019, the entire brand sold just 5,103 models, down 38% from the prior year.) But forget all that for now, because Fiat is in denial celebration mode, marking the brandÂ’s 120th anniversary and the 70th anniversary of its Abarth performance sub-brand. To commemorate the occasion, Fiat is offering a “Scorpion Sting” appearance package on the 2020 model-year 124 Spider Abarth. Most prominent is the rosso scorpion hood decal that harkens to the Abarth badge and founder Karl AbarthÂ’s astrological sign. There are also nifty stripes in the same color that run along the length of the roadsterÂ’s lower body. It's available now for $395, and that pretty much wraps it up. Fiat re-introduced the 124 Spider at the L.A. Auto Show in 2015 as a car based on the Mazda MX-5 MiataÂ’s platform, but with its own Italian design and the 1.4-liter turbo-four engine from the 500 Abarth, offering 164 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. Fiat added new options for the roadster for 2019, including a dual-mode “Record Monza Exhaust” for added growl, plus various appearance packages.