Tuesday, 19 November, 2013 11:23 PM
New
2014 Fiat 500 “1957 Edition” Highlights 57 Years of
the Legendary Icon
Sport-tuned
suspension and 1.4-liter MultiAir engine provide the engaging driving
dynamics the FIAT brand is known for, along with up to 40 miles
per gallon
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Photo
credit: The FIAT Brand |
Novel
exterior appearance, three classic exterior colors, 1957-era wheel
design, Bianco-painted roof and vintage "FIAT" emblems
pay homage to the historic Fiat "Nuova" 500
|
LOS
ANGELES -- Celebrating the 57th anniversary of the original
1957 "Nuova" Cinquecento (New 500), the new 2014 Fiat
500 "1957 Edition" combines iconic Italian design with
engaging driving dynamics and vintage styling appointments –
all for a limited-edition model enthusiasts are sure to love.
"The 1957 Edition celebrates the Cinquecento, the icon of our
brand, and its unique cachet of Italian style, efficiency and engaging
road manners," said Jason Stoicevich, Head of FIAT Brand for
North America, Chrysler Group LLC. "Created for Italian car
and design fans who want an added sense of the historic Cinquecento's
spirit, the ‘1957 Edition’ features unique styling elements,
material finishes and, of course, a manual transmission and sport-tuned
suspension."
New 2014 Fiat 500 "1957 Edition"
There's
a romance about Italian cars, brands, fashion and design that make
goods from this artisan nation among the most coveted around the
globe. Since 1957, the Fiat 500 has embodied all four, empowering
the Cinquecento to become one of the most iconic automobiles of
all time. Fifty-seven years later, and with sales in more than 100
countries, the 2014 Fiat 500 1957 Edition commemorates its roots
in uniquely crafted detail.
Based on the 2014 Fiat 500 Lounge model, the 1957 Edition enhances
its iconic silhouette with a vintage look, thanks to classic exterior
colors for this limited-edition Cinquecento, including Bianco (white),
or for a bi-color look, Verde Chiaro (light green) or exclusive
Celeste (celestial blue) paired with a signature Bianco painted
roof and mirror caps. Inspired by the 1957 Fiat "Nuova"
Cinquecento, an exclusive 16-inch retro wheel design features a
wide chromed lip, body-color accent and large center cap with historic
"FIAT" emblem. For improved handling, a sport-tuned suspension
and all-season performance tires are standard. Completing the look
are throwback "FIAT" badges on the front fascia and rear
liftgate.
Continuing the 1957 Edition's vintage look is an Avorio (ivory)
interior environment contrasted by premium Marrone (brown) leather
seats. Avorio accent stitching vertically crosses the seatbacks
and seat cushions, while detailed stitching at the perimeter adds
to the Cinquecento's craftsmanship. For added contrast, Grigio (grey)
door panels feature a unique Avorio inner panel, while Marrone door
armrests and shift boot (with manual transmission) are color-keyed
to the leather seats for a harmonious look. An exclusive Avorio
leather-wrapped steering wheel is hand-stitched with Marrone leather
on the "inner ring," and features a retro "FIAT"
badge,illustrating how FIAT brand takes craftsmanship to heart.
Adding to the historic theme is a uniquely styled key fob with Marrone
casing and Avorio-painted "1957" graphic. For driving
enjoyment, the six-speaker and 276-watt FIAT premium audio system
with SiriusXM Radio is also included.
The 2014 Fiat 500 1957 Edition features the innovative 1.4-liter
MultiAir engine and C514 five-speed manual transmission, delivering
an EPA estimated 31 miles per gallon (mpg) city and 40 mpg highway.
Like all FIAT products, engaging dynamics are essential, and the
1957 Edition includes a driver-selectable "Sport" mode
on the instrument panel to unleash a more aggressive throttle map.
Additionally, an optional six-speed automatic transmission with
driver-selectable gear changes is also available. In Sport mode,
the automatic transmission offers a more aggressive shift schedule
and throttle map for improved engine responsiveness.
The 2014 Fiat 500 1957 Edition arrives at FIAT Studios in the Spring
of 2014. Pricing will be announced closer to market launch. Ordering
will begin at FIAT Studios nationwide in early 2014.
About the historic Fiat "Nuova" 500
The
Nuova 500 was the fruit of a strategy designed to develop and revamp
Fiat's product range, embarked upon by the company during World
War II. While the city of Turin was still being targeted by Allied
air raids, and the company's Mirafiori offices were occupied by
German troops, Vittorio Valletta, Fiat Managing Director and later
company Chairman (after the death of Fiat's founder Giovanni Agnelli),
asked Dante Giacosa to start thinking of new cars that could go
into production after the war. The result would be the Cinquecento,
an automobile that delivered on its mission to provide efficient
and affordable mobility during Italy's period of rebuilding and
economic recovery.
The Fiat Nuova 500 was "the right car at the right time,"
and on July 4, 1957, the hatchback marked the rebirth of FIAT and
its product range. Exactly 3,893,294 examples of the historic Cinquecento
were built between 1957 and 1975, helping to provide an attainable
car for Italians and numerous other Europeans. After 18 years of
production, the last Fiat Nuova 500 was built on August 4, 1975,
at the SicilFiat plant in Termini Imerese (Palermo, Sicily).
About
FIAT Brand
FIAT
— Life is Best When Driven. The FIAT brand stands for discovery
through passionate self-expression. It encourages people to be in
charge of their lives, live confidently and celebrate the smallest
of things with infectious excitement. That philosophy is embodied
by the North American introduction of the iconic Fiat 500 or Cinquecento
— a small car that lives big. Italian at heart and rooted
in a rich heritage, the Fiat 500 is synonymous with modern, simple
design blending form, function and a pride of ownership that is
genuine.
Reminiscent
of the original Cinquecento, the Fiat 500 and Fiat 500c (Cabrio)
build on the vehicle’s global popularity. Since its initial
launch in 2007, more than 1,000,000 Fiat 500 vehicles have been
sold in more than 100 countries around the world. In addition to
success on the sales front, the Fiat 500 has earned more than 80
international awards, including being named the 2008 European Car
of the Year, 2009 World Car Design of the Year and Best New Engine
of 2010 (Fiat MultiAir® Turbo). In the U.S., the 2012 Fiat 500
was named “Best Buy” in the subcompact category by Consumers
Digest and was deemed a “Top Safety Pick” by the influential
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). This year, the 2013
Fiat 500 was named to the “10 Coolest New Cars Under $18,000”
list by Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com and the new 2014 Fiat 500L
was recognized as a “Top Safety Pick” by IIHS.
The
FIAT brand portfolio in North America continues to expand. In 2013,
the FIAT brand launched the high-performance Fiat 500 Abarth Cabrio,
the fully-electric Fiat 500e and the Fiat 500L, an all-new five-passenger
model that expands FIAT’s brand style and efficiency into
the growing B-segment.
Source:
The FIAT Brand
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Photo
credit: The FIAT Brand |
Premium
Marrone leather interior accented with Avorio highlights the Cinquecento's
more than half-century of contemporary yet elegant Italian style
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