Autooonline Magazine: Fiat 500

10/21/12

Fiat 500X SUV

10/21/2012 Chrysler, Fiat, Fiat 500, Fiat 500X, FIat 500x Jeep, Fiat Jeep, Fiat SUV, Fico Dzip, Fićo džip, Jeep, REPORTS No comments

Mirafiori was rumored to face the axe, a move that would probably reduce Fiat’s €700 million expected loss this year. However, the plant won’t be shut down but it won’t get to assemble the two small SUVs that the company is getting ready, either.

These two models, the Fiat 500X and the related Jeep-badged small crossover will almost certainly be built at the Melfi plant, which will be the “hub” for both brands’ future B-segment cars.

Marchionne is reportedly hard at work to re-establish the failing Fiat brand image in the European market.

To do so, he is said to be considering a new stand-alone brand based around the successful 500 city car and its derivatives, much like BMW did with the MINI.

The newspaper also reports that the next Lancia Delta will be assembled in the Cassino factory, as will its Chrysler 100 twin that will be exported to the U.S.

4/24/11

Extreme Fiat Abarth 500 RWD 230 HP Engine

4/24/2011 230 HP, Abarth 500, Extreme Fiat Abarth RWD 230 HP Engine, Fiat 500, Fiat Abarth, Fico, Lucarelli-Monza Crafts Extreme Fiat 500 Abarth with RWD and Mid-Mounted 230HP Engine, Novi Fico No comments

The 500 Abarth’s standard 1.4-liter turbocharged engine was reworked extensively gaining a larger Garrett turbo, different injectors, custom sport exhaust system and other parts boosting output to 230HP and 330Nm, which are fed to the rear wheels through a five-speed manual gearbox and an electronic limited-slip differential.

The mechanical upgrades are accompanied by a new aero kit that includes a side-air vent for the engine along with new 17-inch alloy wheels shod in 205/40 tires. Inside, the 500 Abarth features a pair of bucket seats with the entire cabin dressed in leather in a two-tone black and orange theme. The exterior and interior mods are the work of Aznom.

The end-result of all these changes is a hot mini that weighs in at 1,050kg (2,314 pounds) and is capable of reaching 100km/h from standstill in just 4.7 seconds en route to a top speed of 240km/h (149 mph).

And if that ain’t enough, Lucarelli-Monza is working on a more hardcore yet still street-legal version called the R280 Track which goes on a strict diet to drop weight to 950kg (2,094 pounds) and gains a 280HP engine for a 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint time of3.9sec and a top speed of around 260km/h (162 mph).