Fiat 500

City Car, News

Fiat reveals new 124 Spider at Los Angels Auto Show

·

Fiat has pulled the covers off an all-new roadster - the 124 Spider.

Unveiled almost 50 years since its famous predecessor was launched, the new model pays homage to the 'style and attitude' of the original car. 

The compact, lightweight rear-wheel drive Spider is powered by a MultiAir Turbo engine and features 'sophisticated suspension' and 'steering tuned for driving pleasure, roof up or down'.

Designed at Centro Stile in Turin, Italy, the new Fiat 124 Spider takes its inspiration from the 1966 original, not only in terms of its proportions and stance but also in terms of its detailing. A horizontal line emerges from the front wing, kicking up over the rear haunch and flowing toward the tail lamp, aping the distinctive bodywork of the original car, while the style and position of the LED headlamps, and the hexagonal upper grille, both draw heavily from the details of the classic roadster.

The bonnet of the new sports car also emulates the 'twin power domes' of the second-generation Fiat 124 Spider while the rear view is defined by two main features - the "seagull" wings, the upper surface of which fall inward toward the decklid, and the sharp horizontal tail lamps, which incorporate a new Fiat stylistic sign of body-coloured inserts launched with the new Fiat 500. An integrated rear spoiler enhances the aerodynamic performance of the new Fiat 124 Spider, while twin exhaust outlets underline the performance capability of the engine.

The interior 'mixes Italian style with the classic ingredients of a driver-focussed roadster'. The low-slung seats are comprised of a lightweight net structure with a unique foam shape and are trimmed in premium upholstery, aligning the driver with the sporty steering wheel and ideally-located pedals and gear-shifter. The three-gauge instrument cluster with its central rev-counter 'hints at the excitement awaiting the driver' says Fiat.

The operation of the soft top, with spring-assisted opening and closing eliminates the need for a power assist system - while the windows automatically lower and rise when the header-rail lock levers are operated. The new Spider also uses sound insulation to reduce noise while driving with the top up. The soft top is fitted with a headliner inside the vehicle for improved sound absorption and there's a rear package mat to provide further sound absorption and insulation.

Powered by a 1.4-litre MultiAir Turbo engine producing 140hp and 240Nm of torque, it drives the rear wheels for the first time via a lightweight, quick-shifting six-speed manual transmission, specially optimised for this high torque output.

Key to the dynamic abilities of the 124 Spider is its lightweight body structure, achieved using aluminium and high-tensile steel. The suspension of the Fiat 124 Spider is comprised of a double-wishbone front and multilink rear arrangement, with a rear set-up engineered to increase toe-in under high cornering forces for improved stability.

The standard-fit infotainment unit offers a 'high level' of equipment including a USB/auxiliary input, six speakers and Bluetooth connectivity, while the enhanced version features a seven-inch touchscreen display, DAB digital radio, two USB ports, multimedia control, a reversing camera and a 3D navigation system, with phone calls, music and navigation all voice-controlled.

The Fiat 124 Spider will go on sale in the UK during the second half of 2016 with pricing and final specifications to be announced at a later date.

Hatchback, News

Fiat 500 to perform with Ella Eyre on stage

·

British singer-songwriter Ella Eyre is set to be joined on stage by the new Fiat 500.

Specially-invited guests and members of the media will see the new Fiat 500 on stage with Ella Eyre this September, as 'they' perform a specially re-mastered version of the No. 1 track "Best of My Love" by The Emotions - marking the arrival of 2015 Fiat 500 in UK showrooms. Details of just how the Fiat 500 will make its contribution to the track, and where the London location for this special event will take place, are both still under wraps.

First launched in 2007, the latest generation Fiat 500 retains the same 'look and charm' of its predecessor but with 1,800 modifications for 2015. Fiat says, like the classic pop song Ella Eyre will cover, the 500 has also been re-mastered for a new generation, with advanced technologies, refreshed interior and exterior style, better economy and efficiency and even more customisation options.

Commenting on the collaboration with the New Fiat 500, Ella Eyre said: "It's great to be working with Fiat, I loved working on the track - which I am really pleased with - and I'm looking forward to debuting it live in such a unique way."

Sebastiano Fedrigo, Head of Brand for Fiat UK said, "You don't replace an icon - you embrace it and evolve it and that's what we've done with the New Fiat 500. It has been truly re-mastered and reloaded and we wanted to mark the launch with a spectacular and memorable event and what better way than to use the car to re-master an iconic track with a sensational up-and-coming artist like Ella Eyre? We are very excited to be working with such a talented performer and to see the New Fiat 500 and Ella Eyre perform together on 2 September."

The new Fiat 500 will be in showrooms from 2 September with prices starting at £10,890 OTR.

Hatchback, News, Convertible

New Fiat 500 revealed

·

Fiat has unveiled the New Fiat 500 at the old Lingotto factory in Turin.

Although the bodywork remains largely the same, there are subtle revisions to the front including new lamps, grilles, chrome brightwork and LED daytime running lights, while at the rear, new 'empty' light clusters distinguish the new model from its predecessor.

Under the skin, there are also enhanced power units for improved efficiency and upgraded interiors with fully integrated infotainment systems.

Available, as before, in hatchback and convertible body styles, the New Fiat 500 will come in a choice of three trim levels: Pop, Pop Star and Lounge. 

All models come with LED daytime running lights, seven airbags and a Uconnect infotainment system with six speakers, AUX-IN/USB ports and steering wheel remote controls as standard equipment. The Pop Star version adds air conditioning, body-colour mirror caps with defrosting function and 15-inch alloy wheels, while the Lounge version adds a panoramic glass sunroof, rear parking sensors, a chrome front grille, front fog lights, a leather-trimmed steering wheel and a Uconnect LIVE touchscreen infotainment system with smartphone integration and numerous built-in apps.

New 15- and 16-inch alloy wheel designs are available in a variety of finishes and the colour palette now totals 13 hues (seven pastel, one solid and five metallic) including two new colours: Glam Coral and Avantgarde Bordeaux. Two black-yellow and black-red variants are also available as part of the new 'Second Skin' customisation initiative, enabling owners to tailor their cars to their precise requirements.

There are two types of second skins, the first features a fashionable, geometric pattern along the belt line only, while the larger skin options cover the pillars and roof - and in some cases the bonnet and tailgate as well. Five patterns are offered: Ethnic (geometric pattern); Lord (classic tartan); Comics (pop decoration) in combination with the new two-colour body paintwork; Navy (nautical patterns) and Camouflage (fashionably military).

The engine line-up at launch includes a 0.9-litre TwinAir engine (85hp or 105hp) and a 1.2-litre 69hp unit. The two-cylinder engines emit 90g/km and 99g/km of CO2 respectively, while a new 'Eco' configuration of the 1.2 litre 69hp (available after the launch) will reduce emissions to 99 grams of CO2 per kilometre, but UK availability of both engines is yet to be confirmed.

A full range of Mopar accessories will be available from launch, including vintage-style wheel trims; a variety of alloy wheel designs, colours and finishes; mirror caps either in chrome-effect or painted in a variety of colours; distinctive side badges; chrome roof mouldings; a rear spoiler and a range of decals for sides and the roof. A tailgate rack is also available with two systems for transporting winter sports equipment, like skis and snowboards.

New customisation kits with original roof wraps and mirror caps will also be available. Five colours are available: microcarbon black, matt silver, matt titanium, military green and jeans. The microcarbon black and military green variants also extend to the dashboard to pick up the special exterior inside the car.

The new Fiat 500 will go on sale in the UK in early September with prices starting at £10,890 on-the-road.