Fiat 500 US Market Version Revealed

[Tuna]

Re: Fiat 500 US Market Version Revealed

I saw a Fiat 500 sport yesterday in black, looked pretty good. I am also going out to Kenora, Ont for a wedding in early July and so I am driving from Winnipeg and I have booked a Fiat 500 through Budget so hopefully I will get the chance to put 500 good kms on a 500!

I saw my first one today, I think they look pretty good.

If I recall the road down to Sioux Narrows has lots of winding roads if you want to have some fun.

[bonfire]

Re: Fiat 500 US Market Version Revealed

Yesterday I went to look at one. I really wanted to test drive it, I think they are pretty neat, vaguely looking at one. So I went to a dealership. Went into the showroom, found the Fiat. Walked around it, got into it, sales guy walked right past. Opened the trunk, the hood, walked around it some more, got back into it. The sales guy is walking around, avoiding all sort of eye contact, looking out the windows of the dealership.

I wonder over to one of the new Chrysler 200's. Get inside of it, boom. Instant sales guy, told him I didn't really like the ergonomics of the 200. My knee's just didn't fit right. He said I would get used to it. Then I mentioned I quite liked the fit of the Fiat. He just hhmmmed, and said 'yeah they are interesting' then walked away.

I just don't think anyone wants to sell them. Maybe its just Edmonton, and they just want to sell trucks. It was bunk.

[Canadian Turbo]

Re: Fiat 500 US Market Version Revealed

Well I put 507kms on a Fiat 500 Sport this weekend and I have to say I enjoyed it a lot!!! I think the build quality and fit and finish is pretty good for this price range and compared with my old Smart the inside was a lot nicer, with fairly easy to work and basic controls and even a strong ac system. The seats are a little flat but still comfortable, the back seat is pretty small but could be ok for some kids. We had no problem fitting in two medium sized suitcases and only needed to fold half the rear seat down to get them in along with a carry-on sized bag. The ride is fairly firm, but I prefer this over a jerking ride such as the stock Smart, so it stays pretty flat in the corners but on some bumps seems like the back might want to float away a bit, maybe a rear sway would be a good mod for this car. The power was not bad had no real problems getting up to speed and was very comfortable to cruise along the highway at speeds over 120km/h. Sport mode kept the revs pretty high but with the auto tranny it was hunting for gears a lot, any change in hill slope or speed and it seemed to change gears, turning off sport seemed to be better for this especially at slow town traffic. The fuel economy was about 29 mpg for the trip which is not bad at all, I know if I had the speed down a bit it would improve a fair bit and I was on it a fair bit too.

Overall I was quite happy with the car, I would never go for an auto version, but when the pricing and specs on the Abarth esseesse is released I could be seriously tempted to put a deposit down.

[Canadian Turbo]

Re: Fiat 500 US Market Version Revealed

Fiat USA has issued a Tweet announcing the L.A. Auto Show introduction of the North American-spec 2013 500 Abarth.

The U.S.-spec Abarth is expected to be very similar to the Euro-spec one which, in standard guise, comes powered by a 140 PS (138 bhp / 103 kW ) 1.4-liter turbocharged engine with 206 Nm (152 lb-ft) of torque. An Abarth Essesse (SS / Super Sport) comes with 170 PS (125 kW / 168 bhp).

Fiat did not announce which of the aforementioned configurations would be making it stateside or whether there would be a uniquely American edition.

We expect the U.S.-market 500 Abarth to have a starting price of around $19,000 and go on sale sometime in 2012.

[R_Ethug]

Re: Fiat 500 US Market Version Revealed

saw one on the weekend. pretty cool looking

[Tuna]

Re: Fiat 500 US Market Version Revealed

I think it would be a really fun car with that much power depending how it handles but, 19 grand seems a little high? Maybe not considering that's still less than a mini or a fully optioned fiesta. I really want a small cheap fun car for my daily. I think it may need 4 doors though. The Golf will probably be miled out in a year or 2.

[Canadian Turbo]

Re: Fiat 500 US Market Version Revealed

The latest rumors now suggest that Fiat 500 Abarth for NA will actually be better than the Euro version as it will be the first to get the 1.4L Mulitair Turbo (from the Mito Cloverleaf) that should be putting out 175hp. Could cost a bit more but you are well past a Fiesta at that spec and getting closer to Cooper S levels there even. Obviously a bit on the small side but with that kind of power I think it should be a blast!!