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Alfa Romeo will gain a Jeep Compass-based SUV

It was reported earlier this week that FCA would invest into its Italian factories to ramp up production at currently underutilized locations. Those plans have now been clarified with official information from FCA, as reported by Automotive News. The entire investment is worth $5.7 billion. First of all, Alfa Romeo will gain a new compact SUV based on the Jeep Compass architecture. The still-unnamed model will be available as a plug-in hybrid, and it will be built in Pomigliano, Italy. No U.S. availability has yet been announced, but it would not be odd to see the Compass-based model sold below the Stelvio in the States. The last time Alfa Romeo had anything similar in its model portfolio was when it offered Crosswagon-badged four-wheel-drive versions of the 156 and 159 wagons. As for the Jeep Compass itself, it will begin to be built at the Melfi plant in Italy. The rumored small "baby" Jeep slotting under the Renegade has not yet been officially mentioned. Fiat will introduce a battery electric 500, built in Turin, and the Pomigliano plant that will make the compact Alfa Romeo SUV will also be used to build a mild hybrid version of the Panda city car. The 500X will gain a PHEV variant. The Stelvio platform will also spawn a corresponding SUV for Maserati, and FCA also mentioned Maserati will introduce a new, unnamed model it will make in Modena. Automotive News quotes Italian press as saying this will be the Alfieri coupe and convertible, also offered as battery electric versions. Related Video:

This Fiat 500 covered in human hair is a world record holder

Are you the type of person picks up little pieces of lint or hair in your car to keep things clean? If so, then this Fiat 500 in Italy might just drive you insane. An Italian women and her classic Fiat 500 have received two Guinness World Records for creating the world's hairiest car.
Maria Lucia Mugno grabbed her first record in 2010 after she covered her Fiat in 220 pounds (100 kilograms) of human hair, according to Guinness. But apparently that wasn't enough, because she recently set a new milestone by increasing the car's tresses to 265 pounds (120kg). It reportedly took 150 hours to create her follicle Fiat art car.
Covering your vintage Fiat in human hair would certainly be odd enough, but the story takes an even weirder turn. According to World Car Fans, Mugno reportedly imports the locks from India because the hair there is supposedly stronger than what's available from Europeans. We just hope that the stuff is getting washed somewhere in the process.

2019 Fiat 124 Spider Abarth will at least look and sound faster

Fiat is bringing a slew of new options and appearances to the 2019 124 Spider Abarth. It's nowhere near as comprehensive as the 2019 Mazda Miata MX-5 refresh, though, with an optional dual-mode exhaust and appearance customizability headlining the changes. Named the "Record Monza Exhaust," the $995 dual-mode pipes add noise, but not power. We're still dealing with the same 164 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque here. The exhaust changes tone with throttle application — so punch it if you want to hear the little 1.4-liter turbo-four growl. The loud mode, which is only available on the Abarth trim, completely bypasses the muffler, so expect a noise similar to the raucous soundtrack emanating from the 500 Abarth. Further Abarth changes for 2019 include the addition of an optional Veleno appearance package. This will net you a bunch of red-painted trim including the mirror caps, red lower fascia lip and front tow hook. Abarth-branded floormats and an aluminum footrest round out the Veleno package. All that gear will run you $495. If you don't opt for the Abarth, then Fiat will be happy to sell you a "Double Rally Stripe" on the Classica trim for 2019. The stripe can be ordered in either red or white, and will set you back $295. Pricing ticks up $300 for the Lusso trim, and is only stated as "under $30,000" for the Abarth so far — it currently stickers for $29,290.Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Featured Gallery 2019 Fiat 124 Spider Image Credit: Fiat Fiat Convertible Performance abarth 124 spider