FEATURED

SPONSOR

Sunday, 21 November, 2010 1:45 AM

Fiat returns to the L.A. Auto Show and reveals three 500's

LOS ANGELES -- The original Fiat 500 (Cinquecento) came to the market in 1957. The automaker showed off three versions of the all-new 500 on the first media day at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show. It was the first time that Fiat has held a press conference in L.A. since the 1980's. Fiat merged with Chrysler so this will be the first Fiat product to be sold in the United States.

The new Fiat 500 is equipped with a 1.4-liter MultiAir engine, handsfree communication technology, seven air bags and a new six-speed automatic transmission. It produces 101 horsepower and 98 lb.-ft. of torque.

It will be available in 14 different colors. The new Fiat 500 comes with a glass sunroof and an 4.3-inch LCD display that features the TomTom GPS system.

"The Fiat 500 has always been the right car at the right time," said Laura Soave, Head of Fiat Brand North America. "The new Fiat 500 brings something truly unique to a fast-growing segment in America, delivering Italian by design function, value and efficiency intelligently tailed for our market.

The new version of the Fiat will have a 10.5-gallon fuel tank for an extended driving range over the previous model.

The A-segment hatchback will be manufactured in Toluca, Mexico. However, the engine will be assembled in Dundee, Mich.

"The Fiat 500 is an icon of efficient personal transportation, and for its U.S. premiere, we adapted the entire vehicle while retaining its Italian essence," said Doug Betts, Senior Vice President of Quality for Chrysler Group LLC. "As we enchanced it to match North America driving conditions and consumer expectations, we also made sure to preserve the world-class fit-and-finish standards achieved by Fiat's development team."

It will go on sale in January 2011 as a 2012 model.

I think the Fiat 500 will sell very well as gas prices continue to inch higher. Americans will change their driving habits by trading in their SUVs and trucks for a smaller car.