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Fiat 500L: 5-door Fiat 500 to make Geneva 2012 debut

February 3, 2012 at 2:11 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Fiat

These are the first shots of the new Fiat 500L, the newest member of the Fiat 500 family, with the L in its name meaning “Large”.

The 500L is bigger and has 5-doors instead of 3, with a cab forward cabin design. Fiat says the 500L has MPV passenger space combined with the feel of a small SUV on the road, along with the dimensions and efficiency of a B segment car.

I’m thinking – doesn’t Fiat already sort of have a product like this in its range called the Fiat Panda? I suppose the 500L is an Italian take on large versions of modern incarnations of retro classics, like the Mini Countryman.

The Fiat 500L will make its public debut at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show in March, with an initial engine range consisting of two petrol engines – TwinAir and 1.4L as well as a 1.3 liter Multijet diesel.

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Fiat 500L 5-door hatch coming soon, 7-seater on the way!

January 30, 2012 at 4:25 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, Fiat, International News

Fiat’s reborn icon is about to grow in size. The popular retro styled 500 will get a five-door hatchback variant called 500L, L for large. Codenamed L-Zero, the supermini sized 500L will make its debut at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show.

Reports say that the 5dr’s front end is similar to the current 500, although the 500L will sit on a widened Punto platform. The 500L will be around 4,150 mm long, which is about 60 mm longer that the current three-door 500 hatch. European sales start in July, followed two months later by a seven-seat version that is around 10 mm longer than the five-seater.

Engine options will most probably include Fiat’s TwinAir turbocharged two-cylinder 900 cc engine (85 hp), a 1.4L petrol with 77 hp or 105 hp, as well as a 1.3L diesel with 75 hp or 95 hp.

The current Fiat Idea small MPV will be discontinued at the end of this year, and the 500L will fill that hole in Fiat’s European range. Continental rivals will include Citroen’s C3 Picasso, Ford’s B-Max and the MINI Countryman. The 500L will be built in Kragujevac, Serbia.

The modern Fiat 500 has been a success for the Italian brand, finding more than 770,000 new homes since 2007. Last year, Fiat sold over 195,000 units of the 500 worldwide, including 26,000 units in North America, a non-traditional market for small cars.

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VIDEO: Jennifer Lopez stars in Fiat 500C Gucci Edition ad

November 21, 2011 at 3:21 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, Fiat, Videos

Finding a celebrity that embodies what one is selling is a tried and tested formula. It works like this: Perhaps if I spray on more Hugo Boss perfume, than I can be as suave as Ryan Reynolds. Or if she uses SK-II religiously, she’ll be as desirable as Gong Li when she’s 45. The Fiat 500C Gucci Edition is elegant, thinks its maker, so they have chosen Jennifer Lopez to endorse the small car.

“No matter where you’re from, elegance is hard work. It’s taking style, performance, and originality, and making them look easy,” says Jenny from the Block, who is seen driving an Empire State plated black Fiat around NYC.

The ad shows what’s special about this 500C – the Gucci badge on the tailgate, the brand’s famous green-red-green stripe on the folding fabric roof, the same stripe on the seatbelts and the Double G logo on the shifter. For girlfriends and wives, those are the equipment that count, not horsepower, torque or an extra cog.

I know what car I want, if I was a rich girl. Wait, that’s the wrong singer!

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Fiat 500 Pink Ribbon supports breast cancer research

September 28, 2011 at 4:02 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, Fiat, International News

Yet another limited edition, but this one’s for a good cause. The US market Fiat 500 “Pink Ribbon” limited edition was created in partnership with The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF), which mission is to achieve prevention and a cure for breast cancer in our lifetime by funding clinical and translational research worldwide.

Only 250 Fiat 500 Pink Ribbon units will be available at Fiat Studios in October. For each sale of the $22,500 car, Fiat will donate $1,000 to BCRF, with a minimum of $50,000 contribution from the carmaker.

Based on the 2012 Fiat 500 Lounge model, the Pink Ribbon is available in Argento (silver) and Bianco (white) exterior paint colours and features a signature dark pink body stripe with “500″ logo and an accenting “ribbon” in light pink.

Inside, highlighting this limited edition model are Nero leather front and rear seats with pink accent stitching on the perimeter and signature “500″ logo embroidered on the front seatbacks and a pink ribbon embroidered on the floor mats. Pink accents are also hand-stitched through the leather steering wheel.

And to match this specially appointed Cinquecento, a pair of uniquely designed Fiat 500 Pink Ribbon key fobs will act as a constant reminder that you’re driving a good cause.

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Fiat Punto facelift set for debut at Frankfurt 2011

September 5, 2011 at 8:04 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, Cars, Fiat

The Fiat Punto has ended up being one of those cars that have gone beyond a traditional 5 year lifecycle. It was originally launched in 2005 as the Grande Punto, and was renamed the Punto Evo in 2009 when it was given a first facelift. Now Fiat has announced a second facelift, set to debut at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show this month. There are two new engines – a new 0.9 litre Fiat TwinAir Turbo making 85 PS and 145Nm of torque, as well as a 1.4 litre Multijet Diesel making 85 PS and 200Nm of torque.

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First images of new third generation Fiat Panda

August 30, 2011 at 5:37 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, Cars, Fiat

Here are the first pix of the new third generation Fiat Panda, which will make its public debut at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show next month.

It’s turned out to be quite a handsome car, said to be slightly larger and with softer lines than the previous generation Panda it will replace. Fiat has also updated it with the latest trends like daytime running lights, fitted in the area between the fog lamps and the head lamps.

A few small and fuel efficient engine options will be available – a 69 horsepower 1.2L, a 65hp 2 cylinder TwinAir 0.9L, an 85hp 2 cylinder TwinAir turbo 0.9L, a 75hp 1.3 MultiJet diesel, and flex fuel versions of the 0.9L and 1.2L engines. A more powerful Abarth Panda is also said to be in the works.

Look after the jump for a small photo gallery of the new Panda.
[Read more...]

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Fiat CEO Marchionne warns against underestimating China

August 5, 2011 at 10:52 am By Danny Tan Filed Under Chery, China, Fiat

In many automotive circles, whether at the mamak or in boardrooms, China is still the butt of jokes. However, underestimating Chinese carmakers may not be that wise, if one remembers that Japanese and Korean cars were once in the same position. Fiat and Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne is warning against that.

“If anyone deludes themselves that they can ignore China, they will pay a huge price. China’s auto industry has grown tremendously, and they have some of the most updated current technology. They should not be underestimated. We cannot afford to be unprepared for the ascent of China, reassuring ourselves of our invincibility,” Marchionne told an auto industry seminar in Michigan.

“The excuse that we did not understand or that we underestimated the scale will serve no purpose. Rather we need to continue to work to make our industrial base more competitive, because the day of reckoning is inevitably coming.”

The Italian pointed out that at present, Chinese carmakers produce almost entirely for domestic consumption, but “even assuming China were to export only 10% of what it produces, the risk we face in our home markets is enormous.”

He has reason to worry. Fiat is fighting for market leadership in fast growing Brazil, the world’s fourth largest car market and a target for the Chinese. Chery has started construction of its first factory outside of Sao Paulo and expects to churn out 50,000 vehicles a year there by end 2013. Meanwhile, Jianghuai Automobile (JAC Motors) is to invest between $600 and $900-million for its maiden Brazilian assembly plant that will start operating in 2014.

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Fiat 500 “First Edition” arrives in China – only 100 units

July 18, 2011 at 9:30 am By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, China, Fiat, International News


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Ahead of the Fiat 500′s official debut in China in September, the Italian automaker has previewed a “First Edition” version, which is a limited run of 100 units made exclusively for the Chinese market. The car is embellished by creative graphics penned by five young Chinese designers from Shanghai.


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Based on the 500 Lounge, the Mexican-made “First Edition” has a special three-coat pearlescent white body colour, red leather interior and wears a special badge on the door pillar. It’s powered by a 1.4 litre MultiAir unit offering 101 hp at 6,500 rpm and 133 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm, mated to a six-speed auto transmission.


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It special livery has been exclusively created for Chinese customers, and consists of five high-impact designs from Yan Wei, Leilei, Mee Wong, Nod Young and Benny Luk adorning the sides of the car, and these are supposed to symbolise the bonds between Italy and China. Getting one requires an element of luck though – apparently, how it works is that any Chinese customer who places an order for a Fiat 500 from now until September 15 will take part in a final draw entitling them to replace the car they ordered with a “First Edition” version.


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Fiat has big plans for the 500 in the country – it plans to have an assortment of versions and specials as it goes along, including the 500byGucci, which arrives next year. On more standard ground, the Mexican-made 500 marketed in China will have a range that includes three trim levels (Pop, Sport and Lounge), 12 body colours (metallic, non-metallic and three-coat pearlescent), nine colour-material combinations for upholstery and two interior environments (black or ivory). Only one engine choice – the 1.4 MultiAir – is available.


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Separately, the company is set to launch the first example of its collaboration with local partner GAC, a new saloon made entirely in China at its plant in Changsha, at the end of next year.

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Funny looking Opel Combo van is a rebadged Fiat Doblo

July 15, 2011 at 1:04 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, Fiat, International News, Opel


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These are first official pictures of the next generation Opel Combo, which rivals the Renault Kangoo and Peugeot Partner, among other compact vans. It will replace the current Combo, which has served since 2001. The new Combo is no longer based on the Corsa supermini, but is a rebadged Fiat Doblo, saving costs for both brands.

The panel van version now offers a choice of two wheelbases – 2,755 mm or 3,105 mm – giving an overall vehicle length of 4.39 and 4.74 metres respectively, as well as two roof heights, 1.85 m or 2.10 m. The Combo is also available as a car-van, with five or seven seats and a paneled or glazed body.


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Van variants can be ordered with one or two optional sliding doors, while the “car” version has both sliding doors as standard and comes with a top-hinged tailgate. An asymmetrical double wing door is also available. An additional rear roof hatch can be installed to transport ladders, for example. With up to 3,800 litres of space in SWB form and 4,600 litres with the LWB, the Combo offers the largest load volume in both classes.

The new Opel Combo is available with six engines: four diesels, one 95 hp 1.4 petrol and a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) unit. The diesel range comprises 1.3 and 1.6 CDTI motors, each with 90 hp, as well as a 1.6 CDTI with 105 hp. The top performer is the 135 hp 2.0 CDTI. The CDTI engines only need to be serviced every 35,000 km or once a year.

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Fiat to build its dual clutch transmission in China

June 14, 2011 at 12:54 pm By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, China, Fiat, International News

Fiat will produce its dual clutch transmission in China for its Chinese market vehicles, according to reports – the transmission will be used in vehicles built by Fiat’s 50-50 joint venture with Guangzhou Automobile Industry Group.

The DCT box will be made by Hangzhou Haveco Automotive Transmission, a three-way JV equally owned by Fiat, Guangzhou Auto and state-owned Hangzhou Advance Gearbox Group. Production of the transmission is slated to begin in 2013, HAG said in a statement. Plans are in place for an investment of 2.3 billion yuan (US$355 million) for the production of the new transmission, and in the long term, the JV will be increasing its annual transmission output to 500,000 units, HAG added.

Fiat and Guangzhou Auto’s new assembly plant, which is under construction, is set to begin operations towards the end of the year, with an initial annual capacity of 140,000 cars and 220,000 engines.

The JV’s first product is set to be the Fiat C-medium, with the likes of the second-generation Dodge Caliber – which will make its debut next year – entering the Chinese market badged as a Fiat. The current Caliber wears a CVT, but there are plans to also offer a nine-speed auto transmission for the new model by 2013, though whether this is globally or region-specific remains to be seen.

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