the Fiat 500 which will be a 2012 model

It can't be much "newer" than this one - the Fiat 500 which will be a 2012 model and not available until next year. It was unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show last week and I was lucky enough to have a front row seat during the press conference. During the two day media frenzy, this press conference and unveiling probably received the most attention of all the events.

After some loud music and swirling spotlights, a small, red 1957 Fiat 500 drove onto the stage. A very attractive lady got out of the car. Attractive females and shiny automobiles have always been a part of car shows. But it became instantly obvious that this was not a typical female model or product specialist employee. This was Laura Soave, the Chief Executive for Fiat North America.

Soave has been with the North American Volkswagen team for several years, but Fiat recently hired her to take control of the brand in the United States. She is a first-generation Italian-American with a lot of her family still in Italy. She commented, "This is not just a job for me, it is a passion and very near and dear to my heart." She showed a photo on the large screen, of her as a small girl standing on the hood of a Fiat back in Italy.

The 2012 Fiat 500 will be called a Cinquecento and will compete directly against the Mini-Cooper and other small cars. Besides looking very cute, the anticipated price of $15,500 attracts a lot of attention. The Cinquecento will have a six speed automatic transmission for the North American market. Standard shift is all that is available in Europe. The styling and overall looks will remain true to the Fiat heritage and Soave is almost passionate about that. Her sense of duty to Fiat was obvious throughout her talk. "My job is to protect the Fiat brand and keep it consistent around the world," she said.

The Fiat 500 Cinquecento will retain the European names for the three trim levels - Pop, Sport, and Lounge. Each of these models was driven onto the stage during the press introduction. There are 14 exterior colors and 14 interior colors, and these will all have Italian names. This was Soave's idea also. "I renamed all our colors in Italian to distinguish ourselves more and have more Italian-ness in the brand," she commented. For example, red will be called "roso."

 

The Fiat 500 scores extremely well for its safety features. The car might be attractive but it is tough as well. The car consists of seven air bags which is key feature for a small city car. It scored a full five stars following EuroNCAP tests.

As BMW captured what was best about it and built a Mini giving it modern features. However, the Mini bulked up significantly on the journey, the Fiat continued to focus on small. That's what Fiat is good at. The new 500 inherits the original's period chic, while doing the sensible transitions, like moving the engine to the front, letting a hatch into the rear and giving it a modern stylish car incorporated with excellent safety characteristics.

The earlier generation of Fiat 500 were liked by most of its buyers

The Fiat 500 model soon became the iconic car after the development and design of the car by Dante Giacosa. The model made its debut in the year 1957 and since then Fiat has produced about 3,893,294 fiat 500 units until the end of the year 1975. The 2011 Fiat 500 will be an Italian made Mini Cooper with great looks.

The earlier generation of Fiat 500 were liked by most of its buyers, but the American market was exception for these cars, as its sales struggled a lot in the initial stages. But nowadays, the Fiat 500 is counted among the major cars. The sales of the Fiat cars has increased since 2004.

The Fiat Company has also tied up with the famous Chrysler group as a part of the global strategic alliance. The 2011 Fiat 500 will be equipped with the same engine as the ones equipped in the electric or gas hybrid vehicles.

 

In a single swift maneuver, Fiat managed to hush any naysayer of the 500. It firmly planted itself on the world's conscience by managing to look...well...the same as it did 50 years ago, albeit slightly more sporty. The Fiat 500 became an instant fashion accessory and orders at the forecourts hit an unprecedented high.

As far as the competitors go, the main rival would be the newly redesigned Ford Ka, with whom the 500 shares basic underpinnings. With so much in common, how is it possible to split the two apart? Well firstly, the new Ford Ka slightly annoyed me by evolving into nothing more than a baby Fiesta, rather than a perfectly serviceable model in its own right. Secondly, the Fiat 500 does everything just a little better than the Ka. It handles better, feels nippier and looks a lot better than the characterless shell the Ka has become. The only downside is that the 500 is slightly more expensive, but remember that you're paying for style here people!

It seems that the Fiat 500 [http://www.sandicliffe.co.uk/new-cars/fiat/500.aspx?Manufacturer=17] has been warmly welcomed back, not as a novelty relic of the past, but as a superb design that has caught the imaginations of all consumers who are in the market for a sporty runabout. The 500 ticks the two main boxes that all the potential customers will be wanting; it has an economical engine and gorgeous looks. There is very little else your average estate agent in Bermondsey will be interested in.

Whether the 500's current appearance will last as long as its previous 20 year tenure remains to be seen, that is dependent on ever-important fashion trends and what they dictate is de rigueur. For now, however, it is enjoying a resurgence in popularity- and I for one welcome the Fiat 500 back.

the 2011 Fiat 500 is also liked by its buyers

the 2011 Fiat 500 is also liked by its buyers due to premium grade materials used in interiors as well as its high class structural feel and exterior looks. One of the strongest competitors of this vehicle is expected to be the next generation BMW mini.

Detail Interior Fiat 500 tuning

The Fiat Company has also tied up with the famous Chrysler group as a part of the global strategic alliance. The 2011 Fiat 500 will be equipped with the same engine as the ones equipped in the electric or gas hybrid vehicles.

As far as the comfort of the passengers and driver is concerned, the 2010 Fiat 500 is equipped with the classy folded flat front passenger seats along with the flip-up cushions. The interior design of the vehicle is matched with the body color, door handles, dash vents, speaker housings and the headrests as well.

There are tuners and there are tuners with some taking the easy way out going for a quick fix while others take up the challenge to create something truly unique. Italy’s Lucarelli-Monza belongs to the second category of tuners. The Monza-based tuning house has revealed details on its newest creation called the 500 Abarth Motore Centrale R230.

2012 The Fiat 500 model soon became(tuning)

The Fiat 500 model soon became the iconic car after the development and design of the car by Dante Giacosa. The model made its debut in the year 1957 and since then Fiat has produced about 3,893,294 fiat 500 units until the end of the year 1975. The 2011 Fiat 500 will be an Italian made Mini Cooper with great looks.

The earlier generation of Fiat 500 were liked by most of its buyers, but the American market was exception for these cars, as its sales struggled a lot in the initial stages. But nowadays, the Fiat 500 is counted among the major cars. The sales of the Fiat cars has increased since 2004.

 

As its name implies, the heavily modified Italian hatchback gains a new layout with a mid-mounted engine and rear-wheel drive. Of course, such a radical change is not an easy task with the company having to re-engineer the entire vehicle.