1970 Fiat 500l L on 2040-cars

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Fiat Chrysler plans to speed up its product development

Fiat Chrysler is streamlining its global product development process in a bid to bring new or updated models to showrooms more quickly, reflecting heightened consumer expectations but also massive technological upheavals brought by things like electric vehicles, self-driving cars and ever more strident safety regulations. FCA recently announced plans to flatten its corporate product development structure across its global properties to reduce complexity, speed decision making and get products to the market faster than the years it can take today. It's similar to what Jim Hackett has been trying to do across town at Ford. FCA Chief Technology Officer Harald Wester, who is also executive chairman of Maserati, will oversee the reorganized product development unit. The company says it has already committed ˆ9 billion — nearly $10 billion at current exchange rates — toward its five-year plan to launch 30 new electrified nameplates globally, with plug-in hybrid versions of the Jeep Compass, Renegade and Wrangler due up first along with a full-electric Fiat car and commercial van. Maserati has also received a ˆ1.6 billion investment to bring about hybrid and battery-electric powertrains, plus Level 3 autonomous capabilities. “The industry has never experienced technological change at the pace we are now seeing,” CEO Mike Manley said in a statement. “So, weÂ’re unleashing the creative energy of our engineers and technical experts for the benefit of our customers and stakeholders worldwide.” One of the biggest changes is integrating powertrain and vehicle engineering, previously separate units, in a global process involving more collaboration and better deployment of resources. Engineering will also be supported by five centers of technical competence, including groups that will develop electronic architectures and another focused on advanced technologies. FCA says product development has previously been served by several different organizations that operated as regional sub-groups or standalone units. Left unmentioned is whether the merger with PSA Group, which will reportedly result in nearly 70 percent of all models produced by the two brands moving to just two PSA platforms, is helping to push the timeline on these changes. FCA is also making greater use of the Alfa Romeo Giorgio platform, planning it for the next-generation Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Autotrader picks best cars for 2015's college grads

Summer is here and the school season is winding to a close. That means millions of students will be graduating college and (hopefully) entering the workforce. For many, that will mean buying a new car suited to the new stage in life into which they will now be embarking. That can be a bewildering choice, especially for someone who's never bought a car before. Fortunately, Autotrader has come up with a short list of recommended cars – new and used – which it recommends to the graduating class of 2015. Among the site's top choices are some compelling crossovers and hatchbacks, including the Buick Encore, Chevy Trax, and Jeep Renegade, as well as the Honda Fit, Nissan Versa Note, Mazda3 and Fiat 500. Can't stretch to buying new, or don't see the point? Autotrader has also identified the Toyota Camry, Ford Fusion and even the Lexus IS as smart buys in the certified pre-owned category. "Any time someone goes through a major life change, such as graduating college, they need to determine if their current ride makes sense for their lifestyle, from both a financial and functional perspective," says Autotrader editor Brian Moody. "For example, while that hand-me-down SUV from your parents was nice when you turned 16, you may want to opt for a safer, more fuel-efficient car as you transition into the working world." Autotrader Names 10 Best Cars for Recent College Graduates ATLANTA, May 28, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- For many, graduating college is a milestone like no other – it represents a new chapter, a proud accomplishment and, fortunately or unfortunately, financial independence. Luckily for graduates who are in the market for a new car to suit their post-college lifestyle, Autotrader's expert editors say now is a great time to make a purchase, as dealerships are flush with affordable models that are fun, fuel-efficient and thoughtfully designed. Autotrader Logo "Any time someone goes through a major life change, such as graduating college, they need to determine if their current ride makes sense for their lifestyle, from both a financial and functional perspective," said Brian Moody, site editor for Autotrader.

Fiat 500e Inspired by Los Angeles gets beach-inspired paint

Fiat is gradually rolling out more variants of the electric 500e. The latest addition to the range is a California-themed model called Inspired by Los Angeles that stands out with a handful of trim-specific styling cues, including an exclusive paint color, and a lofty price tag. The blue-ish gray (or gray-ish blue?) color is called Marine Layer Mist, and it was chosen for a very specific reason. Fiat explains that this shade is named after "the coastal marine layer that results from air masses of different temperatures and densities interacting, a natural phenomenon from May through June that gives the City of Angels a magical and complex feel." Gray mirror caps add a touch of contrast. Inside, there's beige upholstery, a soft-touch steering wheel, and a Marine Layer Mist dashboard insert. Fiat also threw in a seven-speaker sound system with an amplifier and a subwoofer; it includes four Virtual Venues, or sound modes, picked by Italian singer Andrea Bocelli. Fiat hasn't made any drivetrain changes. Power for the 500e comes from a single electric motor that draws electricity from a 42-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack to zap the front wheels with 117 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque. Range checks in at up to 149 miles. Level 2 driving technology comes standard. It relies on the adaptive cruise control and the lane-keeping system to assist the driver on select roads. It does not make the 500e fully autonomous, or even hands-free, but Fiat notes the hatchback is the only EV in its segment to offer Level 2 capabilities. Pricing starts at $37,595 including a $1,595 destination charge, so the 500e has shifted light-years away from its roots as an affordable people's car. For context, the 500e RED announced in December 2023 starts at $34,095 and the last-generation model released in 2007 and still sold new in some European markets (at least until later in 2024) costs ˆ17,700 (about $19,200 at the current conversion rate) in Italy. Built in Turin, Italy, the 500e Inspired by Los Angeles is on-sale now and deliveries are scheduled to start in the third quarter of 2024. Every 500e regardless of trim comes with a Level 2 home charger or charging credits valid in the Free2move charging network. Looking ahead, the 500 range will grow with the addition of a hybrid model, though there's no word on whether this model will be sold in the United States.