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Coming To America: Four Versions Of The Fiat 500

By Richard Read
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2008 Fiat 500

2008 Fiat 500

Enlarge Photo

Fiat 500C

Fiat 500C

Enlarge Photo

It's official: the Fiat 500--Europe's Car of the Year for 2008--is heading to the U.S., and it's bringing three of its cousins along for the ride.


At the launch of the Fiat 500C last week, designer Roberto Giolito confirmed that Italy's de facto national automobile will make its American debut in early 2011. As expected, the 500 will be built by the company's new American partner, Chrysler, though it's not entirely clear where vehicles will be manufactured. Factories in the U.S. and Toluca, Mexico are the most likely choices.

In addition to the standard Fiat 500 hatchback, Americans will be able to drive the 500C convertible, a 500 station wagon, and a sporty 500 hatch, created with Fiat's frequent partner, racecar manufacturer Abarth. A four-wheel-drive SUV is also rumored to be in development for the U.S. market, but there's no confirmation of that yet.

Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne calls the Fiat 500 "our iPod", which is probably his way of saying that it's clever and cute and wildly popular with consumers (much like the inspiration for the original Fiat 500, the VW Beetle, when it was brought out of hibernation and updated). It'll be interesting to see how the 500's aesthetic jibes with Americans and a marketplace that is slowly attracting more and more minicars. How will it fare against the MINI? Or the Scion family, including the new Scion iQ, which should launch around the same time? Only time--and, perhaps, pricing--will tell.

[AutoWeek]


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Comments (6)

  1. Bill Burke Posted: 6/30/2009 8:50am PDT

    This car will certianly not be for everyone, but it has the potential to be a winner for Chrysler. To give Chrysler so much latitude in models,especially the Abarth version, shows trust and commitment on the part of Fiat to this alliance and wise thinking. Unlike Daimler which resented their partners as rivals, Fiat and Chrysler share a survival DNA and so far are making the right decisions for both. Can't wait ot see 500s in America.
     
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  2. richard avatar Richard Read Posted: 6/30/2009 9:47am PDT

    I'm with you--though to be fair, I live in a really urban environment where minicars are a great asset. I'll be curious to see how folks in the 'burbs feel about the 500 family. I'm also looking forward to the 500/MINI showdown that ought to be brewing...
     
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  3. R2dad Posted: 6/30/2009 10:45am PDT

    Good thing this is a year away--Chrysler will have plenty of time to work on improving their BUILD QUALITY.
     
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  4. rocket_88 Posted: 6/30/2009 7:58pm PDT

    This thing is car of the year in Europe?? That's funny. I see why Fiat does so well selling cars in The USA. Chrylser designers have a lot of cosmetic work to do or they could just take the easy route and drop a HEMI in it.
     
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  5. velasmooth Posted: 5/12/2010 9:56am PDT

    Interestingly enough the fiat 500 in my opinion is one of my least favourite cars. So any additional replicas no matter from whom.
     
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  6. jenifer Posted: 12/3/2010 9:27pm PST

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