Right, something different again, and it’s a novel way to show off those chilled drinks to your visitors. Over in Paris, a fridge styled with the front end of the original Fiat 500 has made its debut.

Conjured by Smeg and Fiat, in collaboration with Italia Independent, the Smeg 500 fridge joins the ‘Fiat 500 Design Collection’ of exclusive products inspired by the iconic car. There’s a sofa, a table and a console table in that eclectic mix.

Back to the refrigerator, which is available in a choice of three colours – no surprise to learn that it’s red, white and green, the very colours of the Italian flag. The bonnet on this one opens up to 80 degrees, whereby two sliding doors provide access to the interior, which has a nett capacity of 100 litres.

Features include three removable racks and a dedicated shelf for canned drinks, and performance specifications include a 70 watt power consumption. Won’t be cheap, mind you, but as a talking point, it’s probably unbeatable, and you don’t even have to be a motorhead to get started on with this one.

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Also Geneva-bound is the Fiat 500 GQ Edition – as its name suggests, the special edition 500 is the result of a collaboration with GQ magazine. On top of the 500S on which it’s based, it gets chromed mirror caps, GQ badges inside and outside, and unique 16-inch alloys that conceal orange brake callipers.

There’s a unique two-tone paint job comprising matte grey and carbon black, while leather seats and sports pedals spice up the cabin. On the engine menu are a 0.9 litre TwinAir (85 hp), two four-cylinder units in 1.2 (69 hp) and 1.4 litre (100 hp) displacements, and a 1.3 litre MultiJet diesel (95 hp). A manual gearbox is offered as standard.

Comes as no surprise then, that the Fiat 500 GQ Edition is aimed at “the metropolitan man of the third millennium,” defined as “a fan of sophisticated aesthetics and uncompromising style, who enjoys what life throws his way to the full.” Eh?

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Fiat has announced a cosmetic sports package for the Euro-market 500 that slots between the standard version and the Abarth. The package is specifiable on all variants save for the Abarth.

It’s called the 500S, and it gets a subtle bodykit that includes new bumpers and side skirts, as well as some new alloys, a rear spoiler, dark chrome trim and tinted windows.

The interior gets snazzy bucket seats, a gear knob and steering wheel spiced up with red stitching, and the dashboard is adorned with ’500S’ badges and matt silver trim.

Fiat recently caused a stir (!) with a rather provocative ad for its 500C Abarth in the States. The Abarth-tuned 500 has been quite a hit there – nothing to do with Romanian supermodel Catrinel Menghia, we’re sure.

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The Fiat 500C Abarth is heading to USA as the 2013 model year Fiat 500C Abarth Cabrio, and to promote the topless hot baby, they employed a topless hot lady! This 1:02 ad sees both the car and the lady take off their tops.

Well, that’s not entirely accurate, since Ms Catrinel Menghia didn’t do it herself – a naughty black creature helped unlace her bikini top. Since it’s an Abarth car we’re talking about, I’m sure you know what creature it is!

Oh, and by the way, the 500C Abarth is the open top version of the 500 Abarth, which has been surprisingly popular in America, land of the big car.

It is powered by a 1.4 litre MultiAir engine with 160 hp and 230 Nm of torque, paired to a five-speed manual gearbox. US buyers also get a Beats by Dr. Dre audio system and a fun day out at the Abarth Driving Experience.

Go ahead and check the video out, if you haven’t already done so!

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The thing you’re looking at in the photos is called the Fiat Panda Monster Truck, a fully-operational machine aimed at giving the Italian automaker’s new Panda 4×4 a shout. It’s a rather loud one.

Created by Fiat in collaboration with Mercurio Cinematografica, set designer Andrea Faini and the Fabio Gementi Workshop, the beast combines a Panda 4×4 bodyshell with a Jeep CJ7 4200 floor panel.

Of course, the highlight are the road tractor wheels shod with “High Speed” tyres. Measuring 150 cm in diameter and 50 cm wide, and fitted with specially-turned solid steel flanges, the massive donuts are good enough to give the bigfoot Panda a ‘wither height’ of 390 cm. The rest of the vehicle measures in at 380 cm long and 250 cm wide, in case you’re still counting.

Production of this Frankentruck took just over two weeks, and apparently utmost care was paid in connecting the steering system, clutch, accelerator and brakes between the two cars. The Fiat Panda Monster Truck is set to star in an upcoming European TV commercial at the start of 2013. Imagine trying to get it around town, or park it!

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The family of the little Fiat 500 is growing. After this year’s introduction of the larger, five-door 500L model, the Italian brand is set to give its baby car electric power. The 500e, as it’s called, “brings Italian flavour to the electric vehicle market” says Fiat.

We don’t have the details yet, but the zero-emission 500e premiered on the “green carpet” of the recent 2012 American Music Awards. It will be shown to the general public for the first time at the 2012 LA Auto Show later this month, so perhaps we’ll know more about the 500e then.

Fiat says that the 500e will be available in the state of California next year.

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Fiat Group has unveiled its product plan for the next 4 years, which includes Chrysler Group products as well since it owns about 58.5% in the American car manufacturer. Here are the products that are set to be launched over the next few years:

• 2013 – 7 seater version of the Fiat 500L
• 2013 – Alfa Romeo 4C Coupe
• 2013 – Maserati Quattroporte full model change
• 2013 – Maserati Ghibli – competes against 5-Series/E-Class
• 2014 – Fiat 500X crossover to replace Sedici
• 2014 – Small Jeep SUV “baby Wrangler”
• 2014 – Alfa Romeo 4C Spyder
• 2014 – Large Alfa Romeo sedan to succeed 164
• 2014 – Maserati Levante SUV based on Jeep Grand Cherokee
• 2015 – Fiat Freemont minivan
• 2015 – Fiat Linea full model change
• 2015 – Fiat Linea hatchback
• 2015 – Alfa Romeo Giulia – 159 replacement
• 2015 – Alfa Romeo large SUV
• 2015 – Alfa Romeo roadster co-developed with next gen Mazda MX-5
• 2015 – Maserati GranTurismo Coupe full model change
• 2015 – Maserati GranTurismo Convertible full model change
• 2015 – Lancia new model
• 2015 – Jeep new model to replace Compass and Patriot
• 2015 – Jeep Grand Wagoneer 7-seater

Ferrari, Maserati and Alfa Romeo is the only Fiat Group marques available in Malaysia. Alfa Romeo is the most affordable of course – and the Giulietta was launched recently. Fiat used to be represented but not any longer, though there are rumours that someone will be taking up the franchise again soon.

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The spawning of more unique Abarth examples of the Fiat 500 is set to continue, what with a dedicated programme to personalise the little fellow. The Italian automaker is set to introduce the Abarth Fuori Serie (special production) programme in Paris, and the customisation work will only be made with Abarth 695 examples.

Abarth has created two specific collections called Heritage and New Wave, and these are intended to help guide customers in making their selection. Heritage will feature liveries inspired by the brand’s record-breaking cars of the past, as well as those with significant historical meaning. New Wave, meanwhile, draws its inspiration from today’s supercars, with an eye to innovation.

Aside from exterior finishes, the interiors will be customisable with specific materials and trim levels, and these include dedicated personalisation plates and even a dedicated JBL car audio system, custom-developed for Abarth by Harman.

Other special equipment includes a Record Monza dual-mode exhaust system, black ‘Abarth Corse’ by Sabelt seats with yellow stitching and carbon fibre backrest cover, carbon-look body parts and special racing pedals, as seen in the blue and yellow example presumably destined for Paris.

The Abarth 695 Fuori Serie cars will have the same 180 PS and 250 Nm 1.4 litre turbocharged base form as seen on the 695 Tributo Ferrari and 695 Maserati editions.

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The car you are looking at is called the Fiat Panda 4X4, which Fiat says is the only A segment model that comes with four-wheel drive. The car will make its global debut at the Paris Motor Show that will happen later this month.

The car has five doors. It is 3.68 m long, 1.67 m wide and 1.60 m high. Its wheelbase is 2.30 m long, a front track of 1.41 m and rear track of 1.4 m. Two colours are added to the standard palette – Sicilia orange (pastel) and Toscana green (metallic).

Inside, the rugged Panda features some new innovations while adopting some from the current urban Pandas. A new green fascia variant frames the instrument and the large storage pocket. Fabric seats can be coloured in green, beige and orange with eco-leather details. Front and rear door panels are garnished with eco-leather inserts and the high console adds another storage compartment to the 14 that is already present.

The four-wheel drive system found on the Panda 4×4 is a ‘torque on demand’ transmission system with two differentials and electronically controlled coupling. It is a permanent 4WD system that gives traction on the front and rear axle as needed.

Supporting the system is the ESC with ELD (Electronic Locking Differential), which assists the small car to scale slippery uphill terrain. The system works by applying the brakes on the wheel that has the least grip. This function can be activated manually with a push of a button and it operates below 50 km/h.

Suspension comes from independent MacPhersons in the front and an interconnected wheel with torsion beam layout at the rear. The chassis has been tuned to provide comfort as well as off-road performance.

There will be two engine choices for the off-roading Panda; both engines are fitted with Start&Stop. The first is the new 85 hp 0.9 litre TwinAir Turbo, which Fiat says has 40% more torque than that 1.2 Fire of the last generation. The engine is coupled with a six-speed gearbox with low-range first gear.

The second engine is a 1.3 MultiJet II diesel that generates 75 hp. Improvements have been made to the engine and it produces 30% more torque than before.

Other features that completes the car is the climate control system, CD/PM3 radio, 15” burnished alloy rims, 175/65 R15 M+S tyres, electric rear-view mirrors, central locking system with remote control and read head restraints. There are optional equipment and accessories available to enhance either its urban or off-road capabilities as needed.

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It would seem that the situation for Fiat in Europe is dire. A report from Automotive News Europe states that the Italian carmaker will stop production at its Pomigliano plant in Italy for two weeks in September and October. The cause: weak car demand.

The workers of the troubled factory, where the Panda is made, will be placed on a temporary layoff scheme from September 24 to 28 and from October 1 to 5. This comes after the factory’s extension of the summer break by two weeks.

This is not a shocker. On July 3, Fiat and Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne said that Fiat would shut a plant unless the carmaker could find an economically feasible way to use the factory to build for North America. While Fiat is bleeding in Europe, the Italian carmaker has found profits in North America.

The Poligliano factory is the second plant to be shut down after Fiat pulled the plug off a factory on the island of Sicily in 2011.

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Just as you thought that there couldn’t possibly be another Fiat 500 version, along comes one more. The Italian automaker has added the 500 Street to the multitude of variants available for the little ‘un – if you’re a bit lost about what’s where and which is when, uhm, you’re not alone.

Anyway, this one is aimed at sports-minded customers, Fiat says, but unlike the new Abarth versions, it’s all dress up in this case – the 500 Street is equipped with dark tinted windows, alloy wheels and satin chrome-finished mouldings, handles and door mirrors. The interior keeps to the theme too.

The Street is available in either 1.2 litre or 0.9 litre TwinAir petrol or 1.3 litre MultiJet 2 diesel engine forms, with five exterior colours on tap, these being Bossanova White, Pasodoble Red, Crossover Black, Electroclash Grey or Matt Black.

Expect there to be another 500 variant soon enough. Because, well, the company can, simple as that.

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Nothing like adding some colour into your life, and those looking for a Fiat 500 over on the Continent will find plenty of that in a new range that dresses up the little car in bright fashion.

Called Colour Therapy, the series is designed to help bring back the spirit of the 1970s through a collection of five striking shades – New Age Cream, Countrypolitan Yellow, Pasodoble Red, Volare Blue and Tech House Grey – working the contrast route against white detailing.

The vivid colour scheme is available on both the hatchback and convertible versions of the 0.9-litre TwinAir and 1.2-litre petrol 500s.

An interesting aside: fashion and beauty photographer Elisabeth Hoff was commissioned to capture the ‘70s inspired colour and design of Colour Therapy, and her photos of the cars as seen here accentuate the retro feel by utilising the ‘70s technique of ‘colour blocking,’ which involve multiple shades of the same colour with modern highlights.

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Fiat has expanded its 500 Abarth range with the addition of two new variants – the 595 Turismo and 595 Competizione join the 500 Abarth in the revamped lineup.

All three versions wear the 1.4 litre T-Jet engine, with both manual and MTA (manual transmission automated) gearbox options available, but the 595 models – which replace the 500 Essesse – feature a 160 hp output tune. The original 500 Abarth continues on in its 140 hp guise with the MTA, and 135 hp in manual.

The 500 Abarth remains the entry-level model, though it’s now cheaper and features additional equipment as well as a new colour, and will continue to be available with a dealer upgrade Essesse performance pack.

The 595 Abarth Turismo adds uprated dampers, leather upholstery and a ‘Turismo’ pack that includes Alutex pedals, footrest and door kick-plates, bespoke floor mats and fuel/oil filler caps in machined aluminium. Going the 595 Competizione route throws in Sabelt fabric seats and a Monza sports exhaust on top of that, among others.

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MINI has the Countryman, now Fiat has the 500L, L for Large. Announced earlier this year, the production 500L made its debut in Turin last week. It retains a fair bit of the 500′s cute face and looks, but the 500L is a five-door hatchback sitting on a widened Punto platform.

It measures 4,140 mm long, 1,780 mm wide and 1,660 mm tall, which is a substantial 594 mm longer, 153 mm wider and 175 mm taller than a three-door 500. Wheelbase is 2,610 mm long. It also has a bigger footprint than the Countryman – 32 mm longer but 9 mm less wide. Fiat says that it can accomodate five passengers who are two meters tall along with five suitcases, which is rather impressive.

The 500L can be had with two petrol engines – 105 hp 0.9L Turbo TwinAir and 95 hp 1.4L Fire – and one 85 hp 1.3 MultiJet 2 turbodiesel. The innovative two-cylinder 900 cc award winning petrol engine is at its “maximum evolution” in the 500L, with 105 hp at 5,500 rpm and 145 Nm at just 2,000 rpm.

Paired to a a six-speed manual gearbox, it offers decent performance (0-100 km/h in 12.3 seconds, top speed of 180 km/h) and great economy – 4.8 litres/100 km and 112 g/km of CO2.

The 500L is the first car in the Fiat Group to be fitted with the new generation UConnect infotainment platform. This new device is based on a five-inch colour touchscreen which lets the driver access all main functions, from the analogue and digital radio (DAB) up to all the main multimedia resources (Media Player, iPod, iPhone, smartphone) that can be connected by USB port and AUX-in connector.

There’s also a Bluetooth interface to access extra functions such as phone call management or reading SMS. Based on the Windows Embedded Automotive OS, the system also has voice recognition in 11 languages. On the way is a built-in navigation system developed in collaboration with TomTom.

Plenty of customisation and add-ons are available. Coffee lovers, check out the Lavazza ‘A Modo Mio’ pod system, the first espresso coffee machine in a production car. It is integrated in the passenger compartment with a specially designed deck. No cables needed. The “coffee experience” kit will also include a spoon holder, pod holder and sugar holder.

There’s also good music to go with it. The 500L’s “Hi-Fi system” was designed in collaboration with Beats by Dr. Dre, and had input from the good doctor himself and record producer Jimmy Iovine (some might know him as mentor in American Idol).

The system consists of two 165 mm mid-woofer speakers, two 38 mm tweeters, two 165 mm diameter full-range speakers, a 165 mm diameter subwoofer in reflex box, an amplifier with DSP and eight channels and an advanced equalisation algorithm developed by Beats.

The 500L will roll off Fiat’s Kragujevac plant in Serbia. In Europe, it will take on cars like Citroen’s C3 Picasso, Ford’s B-Max and the Countryman.

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A tiny car making big waves in USA? One with a brand most Americans never heard of? Yes, Chrysler has stopped taking orders for the 2012 Fiat 500 Abarth in just over a month after the first units arrived in US showrooms.

Some dealers might still have stock, but those who place orders now will be put on a waiting list for the 2013 model, which will ship this fall.

The hottest 500 went on sale in the US in late April. By then, the company already had cash deposits from more than a thousand customers — about as many as it had originally planned to build in 2012, according to The Detroit News. Fiat then upped production to about 3,000 units at the Toluca plant, which is maximum capacity at the Mexican factory.

Most Americans had never heard the name “Abarth” before the brand with the scorpion logo aired a steamy Super Bowl ad featuring Romanian supermodel Catrinel Menghia. Demand also shot through the roof following rave reviews by top auto publications. Fiat sales were up by a whopping 432% in the USA last month, according to Chrysler.

“I put my deposit down back in March and I found out today that I’m being bumped to the 2013 build batch and now have to wait until mid-September,” one disappointed punter wrote on an enthusiast website.

Hot stuff indeed. Click here to read all about the Abarth 500.

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We already have the Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari, now comes the Abarth 695 Maserati Edition, the latest limited edition Fiat 500. Limited to 499 units, the Maserati Edition made its debut on the 30th anniversary of the Mille Miglia, which Enzo Ferrari called “the most beautiful race in the world”.

If the Tributo Ferrari shows off Abarth’s sporty character and racing spirit, this Maserati Edition epitomises elegance and comfort of a GranTurismo, but with the dinky handling of a mini car.

Based on the open-top 500C, the Maserati Edition is powered by a 1.4 T-Jet turbo engine (Garrett 1446 turbo) boosted to 180 hp and 250 Nm at 3,000 rpm. Paired to the electrically operated manual Abarth Competizione gearbox, this small car is capable of 0-100 km/h in less than seven seconds, while top speed is 225 km/h.

Brembo 305 mm brake discs with grey fixed four-piston calipers can be seen behind the 17-inch wheels, in Maserati’s trademark “Neptune” design. Koni shock absorbers with FSD valves are also included. Abarth promises “inspiring sound” above 3,000 rpm with the variable back-pressure “dual mode” exhaust, which hexagonal shape tailpipes follow after Maseratis.

The car here is in Pontevecchio Bordeaux. This Maserati colour is achieved with special three-layer paintwork which reflects light and accentuates the shine of the colour. The soft top is made of grey fabric.

Inside, the sand beige leather seats have containment strips featuring single-layer padding, while the dash and gearbox trim are finished in a special matte carbon lining. The door panels have a special UV-LUX treatment, which gives them a grey “flocking” effect. The steering wheel has beige leather inserts and a tricolour hub, while the instrument panel has been specifically designed by Jaeger.

Other details include aluminium pedals sill plates, carbon fibre kick plate with graphics and a plaque. Lastly, the Maserati Edition comes with a JBL ICE system with nine speakers and an eight-channel amplifier. Great ingredients for a desirable little package.

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The Fiat Linea, which is a sedan bodied Punto with extended wheelbase for developing countries, has received a facelift. The front end of the Linea is now more rounded in appearance, compared to the “single grille divided in two” look of the original Grande Punto, which it’s based on.

Lots of chrome for the front end – grille surround, horizontal grille slats, lower bumper U-shaped element – but the Linea manages to not look too tacky. The headlamps and the foglamps are unchanged, as are the tail lamps.

At the back, there’s a full length chrome strip that matches the chrome side rubbbing strips. The license plate has been shifted to the bootlid, garnished by yes, a chrome bar.

Inside, the “luxury” theme continues with a cabin colour combo of beige and black. The dashboard has been modernised with rounded A/C vents, a new stereo and gloss black trim. Safety kit includes ABS, ASR and ESP. Already in production in Turkey, the Linea is available as a 78 hp 1.4 petrol, 96 hp 1.3 diesel and 107 hp 1.6 diesel.

Looks decent enough compared to other sedans that started life as a B-segment hatch, but nowhere near as stylish as Fiat’s latest saloon, the Viaggio.

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Here’s the handsome Fiat Viaggio in its full glory, unveiled at the recent Beijing show. The C-segment sedan is based on the CUSW (Compact US Wide) architecture, the most advanced within the Fiat Group now. Also underpinning the new Dodge Dart, the CUSW platform is derived from the one beneath the Alfa Romeo Giulietta.

Described as a “premium class” sedan, the Viaggio will be the only car in its segment to offer exclusively modern turbo engines (1.4L T-Jet 120 hp and 150 hp) in the Chinese market. Two gearbox options are available – Fiat’s latest generation six-speed (dry) dual-clutch transmission and a five-speed manual.

As the first Fiat-Chrysler joint project, the Fiat Viaggio will be produced in the new GAC Fiat production plant in Changsha, Hunan province.

A really handsome sedan to these eyes. Style comes naturally to the Italians, it is true! Click here for a look at the Dodge Dart.

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It is not much but here are some teasers of the Fiat Viaggio, which the Italian carmaker says is a totally new model. Fiat will throw off its covers at the 2012 Beijing International Motor Show that is slated to happen next week.

We know that Viaggio is based on the CUSW (Compact US Wide), which is also the same platform as the Dodge Dart and have the similar DNA to the Alfa Romeo Giulietta.

The four-door, five-seater measures 4,679 mm long, 1,850 mm wide and have a wheelbase of 2,708 mm. Two turbocharged engines are tasked to give the Viaggio some go; both are 1.4 litre T-Jet engines that generate 120 hp and 150 hp, and paired to either a five-speed manual or a Dual Dry Clutch Transmission (DDTC) developed by Fiat Powertrain.

Although the Viaggio’s lines were put to paper in Torino, the car will be made from July 2012 in Hunan province, or the GAC-Fiat World Class Manufacturing plant in Changsha, to be exact. The Viaggio will hit Chinese showrooms from the third quarter this year.

In case you are wondering how the Chinese will pronounce Viaggio, well, don’t worry. Fiat is giving the car a Chinese name, Fei Xiang, which means ‘flying’ in English. Fancy that.

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Fiat is looking to add yet another model to its 500 range, with the latest variant to be a crossover called the 500X. The vehicle, when it arrives, will join the three-door 500 hatchback, the 500 Abarth, 500C convertible and the 500L four-door hatch (seen in the photos), which made its debut in Geneva last month, making it five in the family.

The crossover, which will sit on a widened version of the Punto platform, will be the longest model in the range at around 4.2 metres long, and is set to replace the Sedici in the Fiat lineup, according to reports.

Production is slated to begin in December next year at the company’s Mirafiori factory in Turin, making the vehicle the first 500 variant to be built in Italy. It’ll be available in both 2WD and all-wheel-drive versions.

Engine choices for the European market will be a 900 cc two-cylinder and 1.4 litre petrol mills, as well as a 1.3 litre MultiJet II diesel. The reports add that a Jeep sister model, code-named the B-SUV, will be built alongside the 500X, with production for that one set to begin in the second quarter of 2014.

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Fiat is taking another stab at the automotive gold mine that is China. The Italian company will debut a new compact sedan at the Beijing Auto Show next month and will start making the car in China by July.

Called Viaggio, which means journey in Italian, the sedan is a rebadged C-segment Dodge Dart, which in turn is based on the Alfa Romeo Giulietta. At At 4,670 mm long and 1,830 mm wide, the Viaggio is about the same size as a Ford Focus Sedan.

The Viaggio will also be the first model from Fiat’s 50:50 joint venture with Guangzhou Automobile Group. The Viaggio will be made at the partners’ new factory in the city of Changsha in Hunan. Fiat hopes the sedan will help boost sales in China to 300,000 units by 2014 from less than 1,500 units last year. Currently, Fiat only sells CBU imports.

The Viaggio will be powered by locally-built normally aspirated and turbocharged versions of Fiat’s 1.4L engine. There are also plans for a hatchback version, which could be exported back to Europe as a Bravo replacement, sources told Automotive News Europe.

Unlike some European rivals, Fiat hasn’t had much success in China. It had a loss-making JV with Nanjing Automotive that failed in 2007. Fiat then attempted to tie up with Chery, but it didn’t work out as well. Third time lucky perhaps?

Click here for more on the Dodge Dart, including a full gallery.

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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’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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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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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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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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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.

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“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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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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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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