Fiat Nuova 500
Encyclopedia
The Fiat 500 or Fiat Nuova 500 is a city car
City car
A city car is a small car intended for use primarily in an urban area.City cars are sold worldwide and most automotive industry manufacturers have one or two in their line-up. In North-America city cars are often referred to simply as "subcompacts" alongside the superminis. These kind of cars...

 built by Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...

 automaker Fiat
Fiat
FIAT, an acronym for Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino , is an Italian automobile manufacturer, engine manufacturer, financial, and industrial group based in Turin in the Italian region of Piedmont. Fiat was founded in 1899 by a group of investors including Giovanni Agnelli...

 since 2007. The car is currently produced in Tychy
Tychy
Tychy is a city in Silesia, Poland, approximately south of Katowice. Situated on the southern edge of the Upper Silesian industrial district, the city borders Katowice to the north, Mikołów to the west, Bieruń to the east and Kobiór to the south...

, Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...

 by Fiat Auto Poland S.A. and in Toluca
Toluca
Toluca, formally known as Toluca de Lerdo, is the state capital of Mexico State as well as the seat of the Municipality of Toluca. It is the center of a rapidly growing urban area, now the fifth largest in Mexico. It is located west-southwest of Mexico City and only about 40 minutes by car to the...

, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...

, by Chrysler Group LLC. The four-seater, three-door hatchback
Hatchback
A Hatchback is a car body style incorporating a shared passenger and cargo volume, with rearmost accessibility via a rear third or fifth door, typically a top-hinged liftgate—and features such as fold-down rear seats to enable flexibility within the shared passenger/cargo volume. As a two-box...

 500 is almost identical to the retro
Retro
Retro is a culturally outdated or aged style, trend, mode, or fashion, from the overall postmodern past, that has since that time become functionally or superficially the norm once again. The use of "retro" style iconography and imagery interjected into post-modern art, advertising, mass media, etc...

 concept car
Concept car
A concept vehicle or show vehicle is a car made to showcase new styling and or new technology. They are often shown at motor shows to gauge customer reaction to new and radical designs which may or may not have a chance of being produced....

 Trepiùno presented in 2004. Designer Roberto Giolito's current Fiat 500 is a direct crib from Dante Giacosa
Dante Giacosa
Dante Giacosa was an Italian car designer. His work covered a large range from minicars to sports cars, using all the different layouts as and when they were the best solution at the time to meet the design parameters....

's 1957 original rear-engined Fiat 500 or "Cinquecento Nuova"
Fiat 500
The Fiat 500 is a car produced by the Fiat company of Italy between 1957 and 1975, with limited production of the Fiat 500 K estate continuing until 1977. The car was designed by Dante Giacosa....

.

The car was announced on May 5, 2006, and the first images were presented on March 20, 2007. The car was launched officially on July 4, 2007, with 250,000 people in attendance. This was the largest launch party held in the last ten years, a testament to the Cinquecento Nuova’s huge popularity. The car was displayed in the squares of 30 cities in Italy for the launch.

The 500 is available with four different trim levels: Naked (this version not available in the United Kingdom, opting for this trim level means that the car does not have the seven airbags meaning that the passenger safety rating drops), Pop, Lounge, and Sport. Customers can also choose between 15 interior trims, nine wheel options, 19 decals, and 12 body colours. There are over 500,000 different personalized combinations of the 500 that can be made by adding all kinds of accessories, decals, interior and exterior colours, and trims. The car is also available with the Blue&Me
Blue&Me
Blue&Me is an infotainment system for Fiat Group cars based on Microsoft Auto and developed in a partnership between Magneti Marelli and Microsoft Corporation. The system is based on modular structure which allows installation and use of arbitrary services. The system offers Bluetooth and USB...

 navigation system. The American Sport version has the 1.4 litre Multiair engine, which is manufactured in Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....

.

Concept

The design of the 2007 Fiat 500 is based on the Fiat Trepiuno concept introduced at the 74th Geneva Motorshow in 2004. The Trepiuno was designed by Fiat Stile Centre. The designer who penned the Trepiùno concept was Roberto Giolito. This car featured a distinctive retro-look resembling the original Fiat 500
Fiat 500
The Fiat 500 is a car produced by the Fiat company of Italy between 1957 and 1975, with limited production of the Fiat 500 K estate continuing until 1977. The car was designed by Dante Giacosa....

, which proved to be an enormously practical and popular vehicle throughout Europe.

The name "Trepiuno" is a contraction of "tre più uno", meaning "three plus one" in Italian
Italian language
Italian is a Romance language spoken mainly in Europe: Italy, Switzerland, San Marino, Vatican City, by minorities in Malta, Monaco, Croatia, Slovenia, France, Libya, Eritrea, and Somalia, and by immigrant communities in the Americas and Australia...

; the car received this name because it was one step above a 2+2, as it was designed so that by deflating part of the dashboard around the front passenger's legs, and using high-tech thin-layered materials which take up less room than conventional upholstery, the front passenger seat could be slid forward far enough to accommodate another full-sized adult seat behind it; the fourth passenger, behind the driver, would occupy the smaller seat.

Engines

At launch three engines were available: two petrol and one diesel engine. All the engines met the Euro5
European emission standards
European emission standards define the acceptable limits for exhaust emissions of new vehicles sold in EU member states. The emission standards are defined in a series of European Union directives staging the progressive introduction of increasingly stringent standards.Currently, emissions of...

 standards. The 1.3 Multijet was equipped with a diesel particulate filter
Diesel Particulate Filter
A diesel particulate filter is a device designed to remove diesel particulate matter or soot from the exhaust gas of a diesel engine. Wall-flow diesel particulate filters usually remove 85% or more of the soot, and under certain conditions can attain soot removal efficiencies of close to 100%...

 (DPF) as standard. Despite the vehicle's name implication, the lowest displacement is 1242 cc, notably higher than the previous 500s. However, a 900 cc Twin Air two-cylinder engine was unveiled at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, but despite this, it will still put it above both 500s.



Model Engine type Output@rpm Torque@rpm 0–100 km/h (s) Top speed CO2
Carbon dioxide
Carbon dioxide is a naturally occurring chemical compound composed of two oxygen atoms covalently bonded to a single carbon atom...

 emission (g
Gram
The gram is a metric system unit of mass....

/km)
Notes
Petrol engines
1.2 8v 1242 cc I4
Straight-4
The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft....

69 PS @5500 102 newton metre @3000 12.9 160 km/h (99.4 mph) 119 with Start-stop system 113 g
Gram
The gram is a metric system unit of mass....

/km
1.4 16v 1368 cc I4 100 PS @6000 rpm 131 newton metre @4250 rpm 10.5 182 km/h (113.1 mph) 149
Abarth 1368 cc I4 turbo 135 PS @5500 180 newton metre normal, 206 newton metre sport @3000 7.9 205 km/h (127.4 mph) 155
Abarth esse esse, Abarth Opening , esse esse 1368 cc I4 turbo 160 PS @5750 206 newton metre normal, 230 newton metre sport @3000 7.4 211 km/h (131.1 mph) 155
Abarth Assetto Corse 1368 cc I4 turbo 200 PS @6500 300 newton metre @3000 ? ? ?
0.9 TwinAir 875 cc I2 turbo 85 PS @5500 145 newton metre @1900 11.0 173 km/h (107.5 mph) 95 with Dualogic gearbox 92 g
Gram
The gram is a metric system unit of mass....

/km
1.4 L 16v Multiair 1368 cc I4
Straight-4
The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft....

102 PS @6500 133 newton metre @4000 n/a n/a n/a North American version
from 2010-
Diesel engines
1.3 16v Multijet 1248 cc I4 turbo 75 PS @4000 145 newton metre @1500 12.5 165 km/h (102.5 mph) 110
1.3 16v Multijet II 1248 cc I4 turbo 95 PS @4000 200 newton metre @1500 10.7 180 km/h (111.8 mph) 104 from 2010

Fuel consumption (EC 1999/100)

Model City Highway Combined
0.9 TwinAir Start&Stop
0.9 TwinAir (Dualogic, Start&Stop)
4.9 L/100 km
(4.6 L/100 km)
3.7 L/100 km
3.6 L/100 km
4.1 L/100 km
(4 L/100 km)
1.2 8v
(Dualogic)
6.4 L/100 km
(6.2 L/100 km)
4.3 L/100 km 5.1 L/100 km
(5 L/100 km)
1.2 8v PUR-O2 5.7 L/100 km 4.3 L/100 km 4.8 L/100 km
1.4 16v
(Dualogic)
8.2 L/100 km
(7.3 L/100 km)
5.2 L/100 km 6.3 L/100 km
(6 L/100 km)
1.3 Multijet diesel 16v DPF 5.3 L/100 km 3.6 L/100 km 4.2 L/100 km
1.3 Multijet II diesel 16v DPF 5 L/100 km 3.3 L/100 km 3.9 L/100 km

Fuel consumption (EPA)

Model City Highway Combined
1.4 L Multiair 5-speed man. 30 miles per US gallon 38 miles per US gallon 33 miles per US gallon

Safety

The new 500 has seven airbag
Airbag
An Airbag is a vehicle safety device. It is an occupant restraint consisting of a flexible envelope designed to inflate rapidly during an automobile collision, to prevent occupants from striking interior objects such as the steering wheel or a window...

s in all models. There are also electric aids available such as ABS brakes, ESP (electronic stability program), ASR (antislip regulation), HBA (hydraulic brake assistance) and hill holder device. The 500 was awarded with five stars by EuroNCAP
EuroNCAP
The European New Car Assessment Programme is a European car safety performance assessment programme based in Brussels and founded in 1997 by the Transport Research Laboratory for the UK Department for Transport and backed by several European governments.-History and activities:Euro NCAP is a...

, succeeding the BMW MINI as the shortest car to have a five-star rating. Fiat also said that the 500 was engineered so that it would have been able to achieve a six-star rating had EuroNCAP adopted this classification.

The Fiat 500 passed the Euro NCAP car safety tests with following ratings:

Abarth 500 (2008-)

The 500 Abarth is a performance model of Fiat 500. The 1.4 L engine with IHI RHF3-P turbocharger is rated at 135 PS at 5500 rpm and 180 newton metre (206 newton metre in sport mode) torque at 3000 rpm. It includes a five-speed C510 transmission, low ride suspension, dualdrive electric power steering with SPORT setting, 6.5 x 16” aluminium alloy rim with 195/45 R16 tyres, four-wheel disc brakes (front ventilated). Interior includes turbo pressure gauge, gear shift Indicator, aluminum foot pedals, Blue&Me MAP with Telemetry monitoring and GPS system. The car costs in the UK.

The 500 Abarth was unveiled at the 78th Geneva Motor Show, a year after the rebirth of Abarth
Abarth
Abarth is an Italian racing car maker founded by Austrian-Italian Carlo Abarth and Italian Armando Scagliarini in Turin in 1949. Its logo depicts a stylized scorpion on a red and yellow background.- History :...

 brand and company.

Abarth 500 Esseesse

The 500 Abarth Essesse is a conversion kit for the Abarth 500 within 12 months or 20000 km (12,427.5 mi) of the car's first registration. Engine is upgraded to 160 PS at 5750 rpm and 206 newton metre (230 newton metre in sport mode) at 3000 rpm. It also includes drilled and ventilated 284 mm (11.2 in) x 22 mm (0.866141732283465 in) front brake discs with new pads, 240 mm (9.4 in) x 11 mm (0.433070866141732 in) drilled rear brake discs, Abarth front and rear springs, 17-inch white or titanium colour alloy rims with 205/40 R17 tyres, tyre pressure monitoring system, and a unique key cover. The conversion costs in the UK.

Abarth 500 Opening Edition

The 500 Abarth Opening Edition is a limited production model (100 cars) for the Italian market. It includes the upgrades found in the 500 Abarth Esseesse. The car is available in two colours (Campovolo grey or pearlised White), while there is also the option of special stickers including a red chequered flag on the roof (exclusive to the Campovolo Grey shade) that pays homage to the numerous sporting victories of the Abarth brand.

Abarth 500 Assetto Corse

Unveiled in 2008 Paris Auto Show, the 500 Abarth Assetto Corse is a limited production model (49 cars), designed by the Fiat Group Automobiles Style Centre and produced by a team of Abarth Engineers and Designers. Engine is rated at 200 PS at 6500 rpm and 300 newton metre at 3000 rpm. It includes white 17 inches (431.8 mm) special ultralight racing wheels, low ride, sports racing mirrors and a place for a number on the sides, pastel grey body with red Abarth side stripes.

500 Start&Stop

The 500 Start&Stop is a model based on the 1.2 Lounge, with parts built by Bosch
Robert Bosch GmbH
Robert Bosch GmbH is a multinational engineering and electronics company headquartered in Gerlingen, near Stuttgart, Germany. It is the world's largest supplier of automotive components...

 and Fiat Powertrain Technologies. The Start&Stop
Start-stop system
In automobiles, a start-stop system or stop-start system automatically shuts down and restarts the internal combustion engine to reduce the amount of time the engine spends idling, thereby improving fuel economy and reducing emissions...

 system stops the engine automatically whenever traffic conditions bring the car to a complete halt, and restarts it when the driver wants to move off again. The car reduces fuel consumption by up to 12% over a regular 1.2 Lounge in urban driving, with 113g/km CO2 emission. Other standard features include hands-free telecommunications and entertainment system. It costs in the UK.

500 PUR-O2 (2008-)

The 500 PUR-O2 is based on the Fiat 500 Start&Stop, but also includes an Eco Drive system. Beginning in January 2009, a Dualogic transmission option is also available. The vehicle was unveiled in 2008 Paris Motor Show.

500 by Diesel (2008-2009)

In 2008, Fiat launched a special edition 'By Diesel' 500. In a partnership with Fiat and Italian clothing brand Diesel, the special edition 500 will run, it is suspected, for two years, with a production run of 10,000 planned. The 500 by Diesel is available in a choice of three exclusive colours, and can be marked out from standard 500s with its unique alloy wheels, 'Diesel' logos and burnished metal inserts to the bumpers and side-rubbing strips. Inside, there are denim seats and a special 'Diesel' branded gear knob. Coloured stitching can also be seen throughout the car's already unique interior. The 500 by Diesel is based on the 500 Sport, using the same 1.2 L petrol, 1.4 L petrol and 1.3 L diesel engines.

500 Aria (2008)

The 500 Aria is a concept car based on the 1.3 L Diesel vehicle, but with diesel particulate filter, Stop & Start system, Dualogic transmission, recycled rubber floor from used tires, recycled and woven leather upholstery (mataleather) by Matamata
Matamata
Matamata is a rural Waikato town in New Zealand with a population of around 12,000 . It is located near the base of the Kaimai Ranges, and is a thriving farming area known for Thoroughbred horse breeding and training pursuits...

, Ecolabel polyester fabrics by Apollo company. The vehicle was unveiled in 2008 Geneva Motor Show.

Ferrari version (2008)

The Ferrari version is a limited edition model (200 units) of the 1.4 (100 bhp) Sport, mainly used by Ferrari
Ferrari
Ferrari S.p.A. is an Italian sports car manufacturer based in Maranello, Italy. Founded by Enzo Ferrari in 1929, as Scuderia Ferrari, the company sponsored drivers and manufactured race cars before moving into production of street-legal vehicles as Ferrari S.p.A. in 1947...

 dealers as courtesy cars for owners to use while their Ferraris are being serviced. It includes red body, aluminum pedals, red brake calipers, 16-inch wheels with 195/45 tires, sporty steering wheel and a few tuning and exhaust modifications. Sixty of the Ferrari edition cars were shipped to the UK.

Felipe Massa version (2008)

The Felipe Massa version is a customized 1.4 Sport presented to Formula 1 driver Felipe Massa
Felipe Massa
Felipe Massa is a Brazilian Formula One racing driver. He finished second in the Drivers' World Championship, and is under contract to race for Scuderia Ferrari until the end of the season.-Early years:...

. It includes a 1.4 L engine rated at 120 PS, Pearl White body, brown Cordura interior trim, a Skydome electric sunroof, 16 inch alloy wheel with diamond alloy finish, red brake callipers. The vehicle was unveiled in Monte Carlo (Monaco).

Barbie version (2009)

A special edition of the 500 designed to commemorate the 50th anniversary of toy icon Barbie
Barbie
Barbie is a fashion doll manufactured by the American toy-company Mattel, Inc. and launched in March 1959. American businesswoman Ruth Handler is credited with the creation of the doll using a German doll called Bild Lilli as her inspiration....

. Created by Fiat Centro Stile and Mattel
Mattel
Mattel, Inc. is the world's largest toy company based on revenue. The products it produces include Fisher Price, Barbie dolls, Hot Wheels and Matchbox toys, Masters of the Universe, American Girl dolls, board games, and, in the early 1980s, video game consoles. The company's name is derived from...

, the car was unveiled on March 9, 2009, in Milan's fashion district, and parked at the entrance to La Rinascente department store, in Piazza Duomo, where German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...

 singer Nena
Nena
Gabriele Susanne Kerner , better known by her stage name Nena, is a German singer and actress. She rose to international fame in 1983 with the New German Wave song "99 Luftballons". In 1984, she re-recorded this song in English as "99 Red Balloons". Nena was also the name of the band with whom she...

 performed live in the background. The 500 Barbie Edition will also be making an appearance at Fiat UK's flagship store at Marylebone in London.

Abarth 695 "Tributo Ferrari" (2009)

The Abarth 695 "Tributo Ferrari" is a limited edition version developed in collaboration with engineers from Ferrari based on Abarth 500. The 1.4 Turbo T-Jet 16v engine is further developed and uses a different Garrett
Garrett
-Places:United States* Garrett, Illinois* Garrett, Indiana* Garrett, Pennsylvania* Garrett, Texas* Garrett, Washington* Garrett, Wyoming* Garrett County, Maryland-Other uses:...

 turbocharger. Rated at over 180 PS. It includes a MTA (Manual Transmission Automated) electromechanical transmission with paddle shifter, Unique to this version17 inch alloy wheels with performance tyres, Brembo
Brembo
Brembo S.p.A. is a manufacturer of automotive brake systems, especially for high-performance cars and motorcycles. It was established in Bergamo, Italy in 1961. Soon after the company was formed, it specialised in disc brakes, which were exclusively imported from the United Kingdom at the time...

 284 mm (11.2 in) multi-section discs with fixed 4-piston calipers, "Record Monza" variable back-pressure "dual mode" exhaust, Scuderia Red body with Racing Grey wheels and rear air intakes, Magneti Marelli Automotive Lighting xenon headlights, "Abarth Corsa by Sabelt" seats in black leather upholstery with carbon fibre shell and seat base, black leather steering wheel with red leather inserts and a tricolour hub, Jaeger instrument panel, non-slip aluminium foot wells, Scorpion racing pedals, special kick plates and a plate bearing the vehicle series number. This version will eventually be released also in blue, yellow and grey. The vehicle was unveiled in 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show.

Abarth 500 SpeedGrey (2009)

The Abarth 500 "SpeedGrey" is a very limited edition version model (10 cars only) produced by Neubauer, the official Abarth distributor in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...

, exclusively for the French market. Starting from the "Esseesse" version of the Abarth 500, Neubauer added the "Record Monza" variable back-pressure "dual mode" exhaust system (boosting output to 165 PS), as well as a pair of "Abarth Corsa by Sabelt" seats in black leather upholstery with carbon fibre shell and seat base. Tinted windows were added, along with the Blue&Me GPS system. Finally, Neubauer repainted the car in a special "Maserati Grey" paint.

BlackJack (2010)

A limited edition 500 in a special Matte Black paint. It is the first vehicle in the small car segment to feature this unique paint finish.
Other special features include:
  • Mouldings, door handles, door mirrors and plate holder in metallic effect
  • 16-inch alloy wheels in matt black with red coach line
  • Red brake callipers (1.4 only)
  • Special carpet mats

500 by Gucci (2011)

For the year marking the celebration of both the 150th anniversary of the unification of Italy and Gucci
Gucci
The House of Gucci, better known simply as Gucci , is an Italian fashion and leather goods label, part of the Gucci Group, which is owned by French company PPR...

's 90th anniversary, Gucci
Gucci
The House of Gucci, better known simply as Gucci , is an Italian fashion and leather goods label, part of the Gucci Group, which is owned by French company PPR...

 and Fiat unveiled the special edition 500 by Gucci. Available in two versions; Black and White. The black version has detailing in shiny chrome with an interior that contrasts sharp black and white for a contemporary and racy feel, whilst the white version complete with satin chrome detailing and ivory and black interior creates a softer look.

500C (2009-)

A softtop version (cabriolet) 500C was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2009. It is the same size as the basic model, and features the same three engine options. It will also have the Start&Stop system. The 500C is to be launched in the UK before sales begin in the rest of Europe in Summer 2009, as British buyers traditionally buy more convertibles than any other market.

Abarth 500C (2010)

The Abarth
Abarth
Abarth is an Italian racing car maker founded by Austrian-Italian Carlo Abarth and Italian Armando Scagliarini in Turin in 1949. Its logo depicts a stylized scorpion on a red and yellow background.- History :...

 version of 500C (cabriolet) was unveiled at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. Abarth 500C has top speed of 205 km/h (127 mph) and it can accelerate from 0–100 km/h (0–62.1 mph) in 8.1 seconds.

La Nuova 500 in Mexico

The Nuova 500 was introduced in Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...

 in September 2008, powered the 1.4 L 16V 100 PS engine, transmissions are dualogic for the 500 Classic, 500 Lounge and 500 Vintage trims or six-speed manual gearbox for the 500 Sport Trim. The Abarth 500, Abarth 500 esseesse, Abarth 500C and the Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari variants have been sold through independent importers. Mexico became the first country in the Americas
Americas
The Americas, or America , are lands in the Western hemisphere, also known as the New World. In English, the plural form the Americas is often used to refer to the landmasses of North America and South America with their associated islands and regions, while the singular form America is primarily...

 in which the Nuova 500 is sold. As of 2011, the Fiat 500 is also manufactured in Mexico.

North American version

The Fiat 500 had its US debut at the 2010 Chicago Auto Show
Chicago Auto Show
The Chicago Auto Show is held annually in February at Chicago's McCormick Placeconvention complex. It is among the largest auto shows in North America....

, and production started in December 2010. It resurrected the Fiat brand in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

 & Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...

 for the first time since 1984.

Fiat started the first North American preorders for the limited Prima Edizione version on July 10, 2010. As part of the annual convention of club Fiat Lancia Unlimited, former Fiat North America head, Laura Soave, opened up the order books to these long time enthusiasts.

The North American version, built in Toluca
Toluca
Toluca, formally known as Toluca de Lerdo, is the state capital of Mexico State as well as the seat of the Municipality of Toluca. It is the center of a rapidly growing urban area, now the fifth largest in Mexico. It is located west-southwest of Mexico City and only about 40 minutes by car to the...

, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...

, by Chrysler
Chrysler
Chrysler Group LLC is a multinational automaker headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan, USA. Chrysler was first organized as the Chrysler Corporation in 1925....

, has the same trim levels as the European 500: Pop, Lounge and Sport. The American version has some exterior differences compared to European version, including a more rounded centre grille and a plastic lip that wraps onto the bottom of the spoiler. The cabriolet version 500C comes for sale a bit later in Spring 2011. The 500 Abarth is also confirmed for North American markets. The US 500 version was rated at 38 miles per US gallon highway by United States Environmental Protection Agency
United States Environmental Protection Agency
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is an agency of the federal government of the United States charged with protecting human health and the environment, by writing and enforcing regulations based on laws passed by Congress...

. The first American buyer received his Fiat 500 Prima Edizione on 11 March 2011.

The North American 500 has 1.4-litre Multiair
Multiair
Multiair is an electro-hydraulic variable valve actuation technology controlling air intake in petrol or diesel engines . It is compatible with both naturally aspirated and forced-induction engines....

 engine produced at the Global Engine Manufacturing Alliance in Dundee, Michigan, United States. The engine produces 101 hp at 6,500 rpm and 98 lbft at 4,000 rpm.
The North American model has been reworked for North American roads and buyers. Key differences include increased body strength; suspension reworked for the U.S. market; over 20 specific hardware changes for reduced noise, vibration and harshness; BiHalogen projector headlamps
Headlamp
A headlamp is a lamp, usually attached to the front of a vehicle such as a car or a motorcycle, with the purpose of illuminating the road ahead during periods of low visibility, such as darkness or precipitation. Headlamp performance has steadily improved throughout the automobile age, spurred by...

 and amber front and red rear sidemarker lights and reflectors on each wheel arch edge to comply with FMVSS 108; new four-wheel anti-lock disc brake system with new front calipers for better brake performance; larger 10.5 US gal (40 l; 9 imp gal) fuel tank; upgraded heating and cooling system; new front seats with a new armrest and seat cushion for improved comfort; easier entry system designed into the new front seats; new steering wheel controls and revised steering and new Bose brand audio system. The North American 500 has two gearbox choices: a 6-speed automatic transmission which has also driver-selectable gear changes or 5-speed manual.

The Toluca built version of the 500 is for sale in U.S., Canada and Mexico and was launched in mid 2011 in Brazil where it replaces the European version made in Poland.

Safety

in October 18 2011 the North American Fiat 500 earned IIHS (The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) Top Safety Pick award.

Electric vehicle

The Micro Vett electric Fiat 500 has been presented at the London Auto Show by the NICE Car Company. The Micro-Vett electric Fiat 500 is powered by a Lithium polymer - Kokam battery with a 22 kWh capacity and is able to get to a top speed of 60 miles per hour (26.8 m/s). The range of the Micro-Vett electric Fiat 500 is 70 miles (112.7 km) and after that will need 6–8 hours to re-charge it.

Chrysler
Chrysler
Chrysler Group LLC is a multinational automaker headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan, USA. Chrysler was first organized as the Chrysler Corporation in 1925....

 unveiled the Fiat 500 Elettra concept
Concept car
A concept vehicle or show vehicle is a car made to showcase new styling and or new technology. They are often shown at motor shows to gauge customer reaction to new and radical designs which may or may not have a chance of being produced....

 electric car
Electric car
An electric car is an automobile which is propelled by electric motor, using electrical energy stored in batteries or another energy storage device. Electric cars were popular in the late-19th century and early 20th century, until advances in internal combustion engine technology and mass...

 in the 2010 North American International Auto Show
North American International Auto Show
The North American International Auto Show is an annual auto show held in Detroit, Michigan at Cobo Center, usually in January. It is among the largest auto shows in North America.-History:...

. The carmaker announced that it will build an electric version of the 500 for the U.S. market, with a powertrain that will be developed at its Auburn Hills, Michigan
Auburn Hills, Michigan
Auburn Hills is a city in Metro Detroit, Oakland County, in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 21,412 at the 2010 census. The city was formed in 1983 when Pontiac Township became the City of Auburn Hills.-Economy:...

 headquarters. The Fiat 500 EV will go into production in 2012. Chrysler has not announced any details regarding technology, energy storage, power, performance or range.

Fiat 500 EV

The Italian automaker gave Swedish company EV Adapt permission to buy the stock 500, swap out the combustion motor for an electric one, and then resell the car as an EV. The vehicle is now available throughout Europe. Buyers have the option of purchasing a battery-less car for a reduced price, and then renting its battery pack (in partnership with Alelion Batteries, all vehicles from EV Adapt are equipped with Lithium iron phosphate
Lithium iron phosphate
Lithium iron phosphate , also known as LFP, is a compound used in lithium iron phosphate batteries . It is targeted for use in power tools and electric vehicles...

 batteries). The range is 120 kilometres (74.6 mi) and the max speed is limited to 120 kilometres per hour (74.6 mph).

Future

Fiat are also likely to go ahead with a 500 estate, in homage to the 500 Giardinetta of the 1960s. An S.U.V version is being considered by Fiat too. If it gets the go ahead Fiat will launch this model in 2011. The 500 will be one of the first cars to receive Fiat's new generation of small engines. The all new 0.9 engine was launched in the winter of 2009. This replaces the 1.2 and normally aspirated 1.4 engines. This engine is available in 90 and 110 PS forms. As these engines are lighter than the engines they replace, performance has been improved. The big plus about these engines is not the added performance, but the extra fuel economy. A stop-start system is also planned to be offered in the near future on the 1.3 Multijet.

Fiat 500 Coupe Zagato concept

Fiat introduced 500 Coupe Zagato at the Geneva Motor Show 2011. The 500 Zagato has Zagato's "trademark" double-bubble roof. The concept car has also turbocharged Twin Air engine with 105 PS. The Zagato version was confirmed for production but no date has been given.

In the meantime Scagliarini Motorsports have designed a special version of the 500 Zagato for a wealthy customer in the United Arab Emirates. It is called the 504 Coupe Zagato Elaborata and is currently a one-off model. Zagato has not approved this concept and have said that they are taking the necessary legal actions.

Production sold out

Within three weeks of the 500's launch, the entire year's production of 58,000 had been sold out. To date, Fiat has received more than 205,000 orders for the 500. While Italy has been the 500's main market (In October 2007, some 9000 cars have been sold in Italy, making it the 3rd bestselling car there), the 500 has gained a strong following in many countries. Fiat France had received more than 10,000 orders by the end of October 2007. To cope with demand Fiat has announced that production has been increased to 200,000 in 2008. The 500 was launched on January 21, 2008 in the UK. 500,000 500s have been produced up to March 2010.

The launch show

The launch show, which took place in the Turin
Turin
Turin is a city and major business and cultural centre in northern Italy, capital of the Piedmont region, located mainly on the left bank of the Po River and surrounded by the Alpine arch. The population of the city proper is 909,193 while the population of the urban area is estimated by Eurostat...

's Murazzi del Po region, was a huge firework spectacle that also celebrated the 50th anniversary of the old 500 launch. The show was coordinated by Marco Balich, who was also responsible for Turin's 2006 Winter Olympic Games, and was an event never made before for a car launch. Several artists performed during the show, including Lauryn Hill
Lauryn Hill
Lauryn Noelle Hill is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress.Early in her career, she established her reputation as a member of the Fugees. In 1998, she launched her solo career with the release of the commercially successful and critically acclaimed album, The Miseducation of...

, Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...

i dancing group Mayumana, and others. In the first part of the show, artists reproduced scenes of the 60s, such as scenes from films by Federico Fellini
Federico Fellini
Federico Fellini, Cavaliere di Gran Croce OMRI , was an Italian film director and scriptwriter. Known for a distinct style that blends fantasy and baroque images, he is considered one of the most influential and widely revered filmmakers of the 20th century...

, a Beatles show made by a cover band and Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn Monroe was an American actress, singer, model and showgirl who became a major sex symbol, starring in a number of commercially successful motion pictures during the 1950s....

's iconic Happy Birthday, Mr. President
Happy Birthday, Mr. President
"Happy Birthday, Mr. President" is a song sung by actress and singer Marilyn Monroe on Saturday, May 19, 1962, for President of the United States, John F. Kennedy, at a celebration of his forty-fifth birthday, ten days before the actual day of his 45th birthday . Sung in a sultry voice, Monroe...

, which became "Happy Birthday, dear Cinquecento" (sung by a Marilyn cover to celebrate the original 500's fifty years). Several bikes also represented the Giro d'Italia
Giro d'Italia
The Giro d'Italia , also simply known as The Giro, is a long distance road bicycle racing stage race for professional cyclists held over three weeks in May/early June in and around Italy. The Giro is one of the three Grand Tours , and is part of the UCI World Ranking calendar...

 competition, filmed by a camera man inside an original 500, just like in the 60s. Both the 500 and the bikes floated on the river.

The show was broadcast live by Italian Canale 5
Canale 5
Canale 5 is an Italian private television network of Mediaset, the media branch of Fininvest. Canale 5 was the first private television network to have a national coverage in Italy in 1980, based on a local channel, TeleMilano 58, founded in 1978....

 and by a live video stream at fiat500.com, which was watched by over 100,000 people online.

"500 wants you"

A project called "500 wants you" was launched by Fiat as part of a major online advertising campaign. The project uses the Internet to involve the public in planning the evolution of the new vehicle. The official 500 Internet page has been visited by over four million people.

Awards

In 2011 the TwinAir engine used in the 500 was awarded with four awards in the International Engine of the Year
International Engine of the Year
The International Engine of the Year is an annual competition for automotive industry internal combustion engines, judged by a panel of automobile journalists from around the world. It is organised by the United Kingdom's largest technical motoring, aerospace and traffic management publication...

 competition.
  • What Car?
    What Car?
    What Car? is a long-running UK monthly automobile magazine and website, currently edited by Steve Fowler and published by Haymarket Motoring. First published in 1973, it is intended primarily as a magazine for consumers rather than dedicated automobile enthusiasts...

     readers' affections 2007
  • CAR Magazine
    Car Magazine
    Car Magazine is a British automotive enthusiast magazine published monthly by Bauer Automotive. International editions are published by Bauer Automotive in Brazil, China, Greece, India, Mexico, the Middle East, Poland , Romania, Russia, South Africa , Spain, Thailand and Turkey...

    : Car of the Year 2007
  • EuroCarBody 2007 award
  • European Car of the Year
    European Car of the Year
    The European Car of the Year award was established in 1964 by a collective of automobile magazines from different countries in Europe. The current organisers of the award are Auto , Autocar , Autopista , Autovisie , L'Automobile Magazine , Stern and Vi Bilägare .The voting jury consists of motoring...

     for 2008
  • The World’s Most Beautiful Automobile (City Car and Small Car category)
  • AUTO EUROPA 2008
  • Fifth Gear
    Fifth Gear
    Fifth Gear is a motoring television magazine show from the United Kingdom. Originally shown on Channel 5, the show is currently presented by Tiff Needell, Vicki Butler-Henderson, Jason Plato, Jonny Smith and Ben Collins...

    : Best Small Car 2007
  • Top Gear
    Top Gear (magazine)
    Top Gear is an automobile magazine published by BBC Worldwide, and named after the BBC's Top Gear television show. It was first published in October 1993 and is published monthly at a price of £3.95. The major presenters of the television series—Richard Hammond, James May and Jeremy Clarkson—are...

    : Best 'City Car' 2007
  • Auto 1 Europa 2008 - (Auto Bild
    Auto Bild
    Auto Bild is a leading German automobile magazine. It is published by Axel Springer AG, and first appeared in 1986.AUTO BILD with its worldwide licensed editions, of which more than 7 million copies are sold every month, is published in 36 countries. Foreign editions include France's Auto Plus...

    )
  • 2008 ‘What Car?’ Green Car of the Year Award
  • Auto Express
    Auto Express
    Auto Express is a weekly motoring magazine sold in the United Kingdom published by Dennis Publishing. The Editor-in-Chief is Steve Fowler.Launched in September 1988, its 1000th issue was published on 20 February 2008. It's only weekly competitor in Britain is the long established Autocar...

    : "Best City Car" 2008
  • evecars.com Best Supermini/City Car Award 2008
  • evecars.com readers Sexiest Car of 2008
  • Best Compact Car Consumers' Choice Award-Car of the Year in Japan
  • 2009 World Car Design of the Year
  • Auto Express
    Auto Express
    Auto Express is a weekly motoring magazine sold in the United Kingdom published by Dennis Publishing. The Editor-in-Chief is Steve Fowler.Launched in September 1988, its 1000th issue was published on 20 February 2008. It's only weekly competitor in Britain is the long established Autocar...

    : "Best City Car" 2009
  • 2010 "What Car? Green Car of the year supermini category
  • First place in the 2011 J.D. Power & Associates "Vehicle Owner Satisfaction Study" (conducted in Germany).
  • Best City Car in the 2011 Fleet World Honours.

Further reading

Fiat 500 - by the people for the people, di Alessandro Sannia, ed. All Media, 2007, ISBN 8890300205 Fiat 500 - l'evoluzione del mito, di Alessandro Sannia, ed. Gribaudo, 2007, ISBN 9788879063852

External links

The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
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