2014 Fiat 500 on 2040-cars

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Fiat celebrates 30 years of Panda 4x4 with Antartica edition [w/poll]

Typically, 4x4s are rather large affairs, but the Fiat Panda stands resolutely against the trend. And what's more, it's done just that for 30 years now, over the course of which Fiat has rolled out three successive generations and sold over 400,000 examples of the little off-roader that could. So to celebrate three decades of the Panda 4x4, Fiat is rolling out this special edition.
Called the Fiat Panda 4x4 Antartica, it's set to debut next week at the Frankfurt Motor Show alongside a new Black Code trim for the Freemont (known to us as the Dodge Journey) and an anniversary edition Abarth 595. Fiat has based this special edition on the Panda 4x4 Rock and upgraded it with two-tone paint, 15-inch diamond-finish alloys, orange trim, fog lights, tinted glass and special badging. Inside, it's got gray and orange upholstery, and European buyers can order it up with either the 85-horsepower 900cc TwinAir engine or the 75hp 1.3-liter diesel.
A limited run will reach European showrooms by the end of the year. But we wonder... should Fiat consider bringing the Panda Stateside to share floor space with the diminutive 500? Have your say in our informal poll below, and feel free to read through the press release, too.

Former Fiat Chrysler VP pleads guilty in UAW corruption probe

Former Fiat Chrysler Automobiles executive Alphons Iacobelli pleaded guilty on Monday in connection to allegations that he made at least $1.5 million in improper payments to senior union officials, the U.S. attorney's office in Detroit said. Iacobelli, 58, a former Fiat Chrysler vice president of employee relations, was charged in July in U.S. District Court in Detroit with taking part in a conspiracy to pay prohibited money and gifts to United Auto Workers union officials. Sentencing was set for May 29. Iacobelli faces a statutory maximum of eight years in prison, and prosecutors said he will be required to repay $835,000. A lawyer for Iacobelli did not immediately comment on Monday. Iacobelli pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate the Labor Management Relations Act and to filing a false tax return based on his failure to report hundreds of thousands of dollars in income that he illegally diverted, the government said. Iacobelli reportedly made some lavish purchases with money taken from the UAW-Chrysler National Training Center — a 2013 Ferrari 458 Spider and two solid-gold Mont Blanc pens costing $37,500 apiece. He reportedly sold the sports car at a discount when news broke of the investigation. The government said Iacobelli conspired to make illegal payments in an effort to obtain concessions and advantages for Fiat Chrysler "in the negotiation, implementation and administration of the collective bargaining agreements between FCA and the UAW." Monica Morgan, the wife of former UAW Vice President General Holiefield, who died in March 2015, is also expected to plead guilty, Reuters reported last week, citing a person briefed on the matter. She faces a plea hearing on Feb. 6. Morgan was charged with conspiring with Iacobelli to violate federal labor law. Morgan's lawyer, Steve Fishman, declined comment. Jerome Durden, a former Fiat Chrysler official whom the government charged with conspiring to divert over $4.5 million in UAW training center funds, pleaded guilty in August. The Justice Department has a wide-ranging investigation under way. In November, General Motors and Ford confirmed they were cooperating with the investigation into alleged misspending at UAW union training centers funded by U.S. automakers. It was not clear if Iacobelli is cooperating in the ongoing investigation. General Motors is conducting an internal investigation into the matter. The UAW said in a statement Monday that it is "appalled at these charges.

Fiat brings back throwback 1957 Edition for the 500

Fiat is bringing back its retro-styled 1957 Edition treatment for its 500 cabrio and hatchback models, an homage to the original 500, which debuted in 1957 as the Nuova Cinquecento. It's like a Vespa-ization of the little Italian subcompact. For an extra $995 and based on the Lounge trim, the 1957 Edition brings a new, retro fascia with throwback Fiat badging, white exterior mirrors and a choice of white, green or blue 16-inch retro-inspired wheels. You get a two-toned paint job with a white roof on hatchback versions and a black soft top on cabrio models, plus choice of three retro-inspired paint colors: celeste blue, chiaro (light green) and bianco ice (white). Inside, designers have contrasted a mostly ivory interior with marrone brown leather seats decorated with ivory accent stitching on the setbacks, perimeter and cushions. There are also ivory door-trim panels and a marrone brown leather shift boot with manual-transmission models. The steering wheel is wrapped in leather and continues the ivory-brown theme. It's accented with a retro Fiat badge. The Fiat 500 comes standard with the new 1.4-liter MultiAir Turbo engine, which boost output to 135 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque and features a sport-tuned exhaust. It's paired with a standard five-speed manual transmission or an optional six-speed automatic. The 1957 Edition was last available for the 2016 model year in a slightly different guise and price point. You can once again retro-pimp your 500 at dealerships starting this fall. Related Video: Featured Gallery Fiat 500 1957 Edition Image Credit: FCA Fiat Convertible Hatchback