2013 Fiat 500c Lounge on 2040-cars

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Fiat 500X Abarth could pack 200 horsepower

Enticing as some of its products might be, Abarth has been rather limited. Fiat revived the name to serve as its performance sub-brand in 2007, tasking it with producing hot versions of the 500 and Punto. The Punto never even made it to America, and isn't even offered overseas anymore, either. But don't think that Fiat Chrysler is just going to let the Scorpion marque skate by on just one model for much longer. Abarth is expected to offer its own performance version of the upcoming Fiat 124 Spider that's based on the Mazda MX-5 Miata. But that's not all. According to Alfredo Altavilla, FCA's COO for Europe, Africa and the Middle East, the company is closely evaluating a performance version of the 500X (pictured here with Mopar accessories). "Besides the 124 and 500, we are thinking about an all-new addition to the line-up," Altavilla told Auto Express. "The 500X is one of the options being considered." If approved for production, the 500X Abarth would target the likes of the Mini Countryman JCW and Nissan Juke Nismo. It may be too early to make the call on powertrain options, but we could be looking at a retuned version of the adaptable 1.75-liter turbo four in the Alfa Romeo 4C that's also tipped to power the Abarth 124, with around 200 horsepower. That'd put it right in line with the 197 hp in the Juke Nismo, 215 hp in the Juke Nismo RS, and 208 hp in the Countryman JCW. This isn't the first time we've heard the prospect of an Abarth 500X brought up. The last time was the better part of the year ago, when we we hoped the project would lead to an amped-up Jeep Renegade as well. The Italian-American automaker has no intention of phoning it in with the Abarth 500X. "We went a bit too far with the Punto Abarth. Now our customers won't buy a fake. If the 500X becomes the addition to the Abarth line-up, it will be everything but a family version," said Altavilla. "Any new version of an Abarth car should deliver some sort of a performance enhancement, otherwise it is useless."

FCA discussing tech partnership with Hyundai, but no merger

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is in talks with South Korea's Hyundai about a technical partnership, but there are no merger talks between the two, FCA Chief Executive Sergio Marchionne said on Saturday. FCA is often the subject of merger speculation, especially after its unsuccessful 2015 attempt to tie up with larger U.S. rival GM. Its share price jumped to record highs in August after reports of interest from China and Hyundai. "We already buy components from (Hyundai) .... let's see if we can agree on other points, especially for the development of transmissions and hydrogen," Marchionne told journalists, adding there was "nothing to announce for the moment". Asked whether this collaboration could turn into a merger, Marchionne said: "I don't believe so". (Reporting by Agnieszka Flak; editing by Alexander Smith)Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

Fiat reveals updated 500 overseas

See that Fiat 500 up above and in the rather large accompanying gallery? Look closer. It's new, or at least pretty comprehensively refreshed. The biggest updates that Fiat has grafted into its diminutive 500 hatchback are under the skin and inside its interior. Perhaps the most notable update is the inclusion of a proper infotainment system with a five-inch display, in this case, the well-received Uconnect tech borrowed from its corporate siblings under the Chrysler umbrella. In Europe, the refreshed Fiat 500 will launch with a 0.9-liter TwinAir engine with either 85 or 105 horsepower. A 1.2-liter engine with 69 horsepower will also be on offer, and an ultra-low emissions version of that engine will join a 1.3-liter 16v Multijet II turbocharged diesel unit that grunts out 95 horsepower sometime after, in certain markets. On the outside, the most notable updates are redesigned lighting clusters front and rear, but there are detail enhancements elsewhere, including to the hood and a new beltline that appears to sweep upward as it moves forward. We suggest you see for yourself in our high-res image gallery above, and if you want all the details, to read through the press release below. Keep in mind, this is all for Europe, so we'll just have to wait and see how many of these updates we get Stateside. NEW FIAT 500 REVEALED - New FIAT 500 unveiled with new exterior and interior style - Highlights include revised front designed with new headlamps, grills, chrome brightwork and LED daytime running lights - Rear enhancements include innovative new 'empty' light clusters - Interior revisions include new Uconnect™ infotainment systems, enhanced comfort and numerous detail improvements - Engine range enhanced for more efficiency and eco-friendliness - High standard safety specification includes seven airbags and a full suite of active safety systems - On Sale in September priced from GBP10,890 In Brief July 4 has always been a red-letter date for the FIAT 500. A symbol of mass motorisation in Italy, of which almost 3.8 million were sold, the original FIAT 500 was introduced on this day in 1957. Exactly fifty years later, on July 4 2007, FIAT chose to celebrate that heritage by introducing the New FIAT 500, a car which embodied the same spirit and personality as the original and which has also enjoyed phenomenal success all over the world.