The Debut Of the Abarth...first the LA Auto Show...next FIAT of Tacoma

         New 2012 Fiat 500 Abarth To Debut At The L.A. Auto Show



Auburn Hills, Mich. , Oct 31, 2011  -  Faithful to the ‘small but wicked’
saying coined for Karl Abarth’s cars in the 1960s, the new 2012 Fiat 500Abarth
arrives to America with the racing traditions that have made it a
success on European roadways and racetracks — world-class performance and
precision, purposeful and aggressive styling, high power-to-weight ratio
and limited-production volume.

Building on the excitement of the new 2012 Fiat 500 (Cinquecento), the new
Fiat 500 Abarth is designed for track-day enthusiasts and driving-purists
who want the ultimate high-performance small car with the pedigree of an
exclusive Italian exotic.

With its all-new 1.4-liter MultiAir® Turbo engine, Abarth-tuned suspension
and brake systems, race-inspired design, and technology features not
traditionally included on a small car, the new 2012 Fiat 500 Abarth will
unleash the brand’s legendary performance heritage to American streets.

2012 Fiat 500 Wins Top Safety Rating in Minicar Category

Just the Facts:

• The 2012 Fiat 500 cleared a critical hurdle on Tuesday, winning a top safety rating in minicar crash tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
• The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also announced that the 2012 Fiat 500 will be among the 74 vehicles it will crash test for the new model year.
• The Fiat 500 and Ford Fiesta are the only minicar to earn the top safety rating thus far by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

ARLINGTON, Virginia — The 2012 Fiat 500 cleared a critical hurdle on Tuesday, winning a top safety rating in minicar crash tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
The award applies to Fiat 500s built after July 2011 because the driver's seat structure was modified to improve occupant protection in frontal and rear-end crashes, the IIHS noted in a statement.
The announcement is reassuring news to consumers who might wonder if they're trading safety considerations for fuel savings. The Fiat 500 with a 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine and six-speed automatic transmission returns 27 mpg in city driving and 34 mpg on the highway, according to the EPA. The AAA Daily Fuel Gauge on Wednesday said the average price for a gallon of unleaded gasoline stood at $3.47.
The Fiat 500 and Ford Fiesta are the only minicar to earn the top safety rating thus far by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also announced that the 2012 Fiat 500 will be among the 74 vehicles it will crash test for the new model year.
The Fiat 500 will be tested as part of the agency's five-star safety rating program. As of Wednesday morning, those results were not yet posted at Safercar.gov.
Word of Fiat's safety accomplishment was greeted by the headline "J.Lo's Famous Booty in Good Hands," by USA Today — a reference to Fiat's new high-profile advertising campaign starring Jennifer Lopez.

Alfa Romeo announces new 1.8-liter turbo with up to 300 horsepower

 
If you were to design your own engine for today's automotive market, what features would it include? Aluminum construction? Direct injection? Turbocharging? Variable valve timing on both intake and exhaust? Small displacement but a high output? Try all of these features and you're looking at the latest powerplant developed by Alfa Romeo and Fiat Powertrain Technologies.

The 1.8-liter turbo four leverages the latest developments in engine technology for an output as high as 300 horsepower while still meeting the most stringent emissions standards on the horizon (including the upcoming U.S. Tier 2 Bin 5 regulations, which bodes well for its eventual American application).

It's the engine that's expected to power the production 4C sportscar, and given that it's designed to be mounted either behind the cabin or in front, longitudinally or transversely, it will surely find its way into other Alfas as well. (Maybe a couple of future Dodge products, too) And when it does, we hope it won't lose much in output, because

Alfa Romeo's U.S. return taking precedence over European revival

Alfa Romeo is still on track to relaunch in the U.S. market, and its re-launch here is apparently taking precedence over a European revival of the storied Italian brand. Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne says he will appoint an executive to oversee Alfa Romeo in the U.S by the end of this year, another big step toward finally bringing Alfa back to the U.S. market for the first time since 1995.

Despite months of delays and setbacks, the

Marchionne plans to appoint a leader for Alfa Romeo’s North American division by the end of 2011, and said he wants to target the U.S. market first before attempting to restore the brand’s credibility in Europe. The new executive position will reportedly be filled by someone within the Fiat-Chrysler group. After that, Alfa Romeo should launch here in mid-2013 and aims to sell 85,000 vehicles in 2014.

Automotive News reports that Marchionne believes there is strong demand for Alfa Romeo cars in the U.S., and that the brand’s image here remains strong. In Europe, by contrast, Alfa Romeo’s reputation has flagged in response to poor quality and aging vehicle designs.

The plan is to sell Alfa Romeo products at Fiat dealerships, of which there are 124 currently open in the U.S. with 150 planned to be operational by years’ end. Fiat, however, will continue to only sell the subcompact 500 for the foreseeable future.

So, which vehicles will help usher in Alfa Romeo’s return to our shores?

The first vehicle launching in the U.S. will be the Alfa Romeo 4C, which is to be powered by a new turbocharged, 1.8-liter inline-four engine producing 300 hp. Alfa Romeo also will build a compact SUV based on the Jeep Liberty. Additionally, the new Alfa Romeo Giulia sedan and wagon will share underpinnings with the 2012 Chrysler 200. They will be built in the U.S. and should debut here in 2014.

Chrysler’s 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine will be adapted and downsized for use in Alfa Romeo vehicles, possibly with the addition of turbocharging or direct injection. Alfa Romeo also plans to launch a large luxury sedan in 2014, based on the underpinnings of the Chrysler 300. It might be called the 6C or the Montreal, and will be built in North America. AN also reports that Alfa could launch a two-seat roadster by 2014, and a subcompact five-door hatchback by 2013.

Fiat to Build a 'Baby' Jeep, Fiat Derivative in Italy

Fiat will build a "baby" Jeep in Italy to sell in Europe and possibly also the United States, two company sources told Automotive News Europe.

The new Jeep will be smaller than the Patriot and Compass. The model will be produced in Fiat's home plant of Mirafiori in Turin, alongside a similar vehicle for the Fiat brand that will replace the Sedici and an Alfa Romeo subcompact car for sale in Europe and North America.

Fiat had initially planned to build in Mirafiori the replacement for the Jeep Compass and Patriot and an Alfa SUV that would have shared systems and components with the Jeep model.

The change of strategy implies that the single model to replace the Patriot and Compass and its Alfa sibling will be manufactured in the United States. Jeep currently builds the Patriot and Compass in Belvidere, Ill.

Fiat declined to give details on which models will be built in Mirafiori as part of a refurbishment of the factory, but the automaker is developing smaller models to meet an increasing demand for downsized vehicles, especially in Europe.

In a statement issued on Monday, Fiat, which controls 53.5 percent of Chrysler Group, said it will remodel Mirafiori to build the most updated version of one of its three main architectures on which different nameplates for its various brands will be produced.

Development of the manufacturing infrastructure will begin in 2012 and production of the first nameplate, a Jeep SUV, is expected in the second half of 2013, it said.

The architecture to be installed in Mirafiori is internally called SUSW. It is a wider, U.S.-compliant version of Fiat's European Small architecture, which will debut next spring on two small minivans that Fiat will produce in Serbia to replace the Idea and Multipla models.

Fiat's group executive council made the production decisions for Mirafiori at meetings on Friday and Saturday, reversing a plan first announced in December 2010 to install in Mirafiori the bigger CUSW architecture.

CUSW is a wider, U.S. compliant version of Fiat's European Compact architecture that debuted last year on the Alfa Giulietta compact hatchback.

The first model to use the CUSW architecture will be a Dodge compact sedan that will replace the Caliber and will be unveiled in January at the Detroit auto show.

Mirafiori currently builds the Alfa MiTo 3-door subcompact, as well as the Fiat Idea and Lancia Musa small minivans.

Fiat-Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne said in a statement that refurbishing Mirafiori "is an important step in our plans to re-industrialize our Italian manufacturing backbone in view of current market developments and the increased distribution reach provided by Chrysler Group."

He added: "This leading-edge architecture will allow us to provide the most updated platforms for the development of our brands, and more importantly, will allow us to access the full powertrain offerings of both Fiat and Chrysler."

FIAT of Tacoma, home to the FIAT, packed with all the features!!

Fiat 500 Features

The Fiat 500 marks the company's return to America after an absence of more than two decades.

Various reports estimate the Fiat 500 with the 1.4 engine and manual transmission will do 0-60 mph in less than 10 seconds, which should be more than adequate for most American driving needs. Fuel economy? The U.S. EPA estimates a stick-shift model will deliver 30 in the city and 38 on the highway. With automatic, the numbers are 28/34.
Despite its urban-friendly size and an approximately $16,000 base price, the Fiat 500 Pop is well equipped with electric power steering, ABS, curtain-side airbags, and MP3 plug-in all standard. Sport models start around $18,000, and the stylish Lounge comes in at $20K. Pop and Sport come with a 5-speed manual transmission. Lounge models have a 6-speed automatic standard; it's optional on Pop and Sport. Options include a Mini-style smorgasbord of funky "personalization" features, including various decals, leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a sunroof.
Where is the American-market Fiat 500 built? Since the alliance with Chrysler went through, the car is being built in one of Chrysler's existing assembly plants in Toluca, Mexico.
The 500 has undergone several revisions to meet the expectations of the American market. Most importantly, the 500 gets a "real" automatic transmission for its American adventure. The 6-speed unit is similar to the Aisin-built gearbox used in, you guessed it, the Mini Cooper. Also, the suspension has been retuned for a more comfortable ride, sound deadening materials have been added, and the body structure has been beefed up in key areas to improve passenger protection in the event of a collision.
On the face of it, the 500 should be just the car to put Fiat back on the U.S. map. It's undoubtedly well timed: Appealing, affordable, and most of all, fairly easy on gas. If it's well built and reliable too, it can't miss. Imagine saying that about a Fiat.
A Notable Feature of the Fiat 500
Choice is the word when it comes to the Fiat 500. Laura Soave, head of the Fiat Brand in North America, says the 500 can be built in more than 500,000 different ways. There 14 different exterior colors. Interior options are numerous as well, with black or ivory "environments" and several different seat and material choices including cloth and three colors of leather. Each Fiat dealer will have a "Studio" with consultants to help you customize the 500 to your liking. Soave says a custom-built 500 will take about 45 days from order to delivery, but the company hopes to reduce the wait time as production ramps up.
Fiat dealers will also sell various accessories to increase the personalization possibilities. Body graphics ranging from simple stripes to elaborate "wraps" that cover the whole car will be available. Small things like different badges and covers for the car's key will be on offer too.

2010 Fiat 500 Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari - Auto Shows

Formula 1 fans are familiar with the concept of Ferrari-branded detritus, from pens and pencils to sportswear and laptop computers, but a Ferrari-badged car—well, other than a Ferrari, anyway—is something new. Nevertheless, the Frankfurt auto show will host the public debut of the Fiat 500 Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari, a Fiat with Ferrari-inspired design cues.
The looks begin with the Scuderia Red paint, while the rear valance and Ferrari-look 17-inch wheels are finished in Racing Grey and the side mirrors reside in carbon-fiber housings. Carbon fiber also forms the shells of the front seats, which are—like the rest of the cockpit—wrapped in black leather. Red cowskin accents the steering wheel, and paddles sprouting from its backside control the automated manual transmission.
Beginning with an already hot 500—Abarth is Fiat’s in-house tuning arm—the Tributo Ferrari’s turbocharged 1.4-liter inline-four squirts out about 50 extra horsepower, while a dual-mode exhaust system promises to do its best to imitate the spine-tingling wail of Maranello’s finest powerplants, most of which have boasted two or three times the Abarth’s cylinder count.
Fiat explains this exercise as two brands recognizing a shared history in motorsport, but we see it as the ultimate extension of the Ferrari merchandising machine—and a worthy competitor to the Toyota iQ–based Aston Martin Cygnet also appearing in Frankfurt. Prestige-brand economy-car comparo, anyone?

Fiat Rolls Out Jennifer Lopez ‘My World’ TV Ad

Fiat SpA

Jennifer Lopez drives a Fiat 500 convertible in a new ad.

Italian car maker Fiat began running a television ad for the 2012 Fiat 500 subcompact car featuring the singer and actress Jennifer Lopez.
The spot is aimed at winning a wider, more diverse audience for the 500 compared with the perceived market for rivals like the BMW Mini Cooper and Volkswagen Beetle. It is also meant to present the Fiat as a car that reflects authenticity, an elusive quality increasingly pursued by car companies.
In the commercial, called “My World,” Lopez provides the voice-over and is shown driving a white 500 convertible through Manhattan and into the Bronx where she came of age. The ad includes the song “Until It Beats No More,” from Lopez’s new album, “Love?” and is airing on national broadcast and cable networks.
“The commercial tells the story of how the simple elements of our upbringing can help explain who we are, where we’re going and serve as a source of inspiration to achieve our goals in life,” said Olivier Francois, head of Fiat and marketing boss for Chrysler Group LLC. “That drive and determination is the common thread that is shared with the Fiat brand and our philosophy that ‘Life is Best When Driven.’”

Check out the video http://youtu.be/mJPCAEkcyqg

FIAT 500 Abarth At LA Auto Show

The Fiat 500 lineup will grow in North America, first with the 500c coverible and now with a sporty Abarth version. Fiat announced on Facebook that it will unveil the US-spec version of the 500 Abarth at the LA Auto Show this November. Sales of the model is expected to start in the later half of 2012.
We will have to wait until the LA Auto Show to get the full scoop on this sporty small car, but we can speculate a 1.4 litre engine that produces 170 horsepower. Nevertheless, come back later for more details.

ABARTH GIVES FERRARI A BAMBINO

The Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari, the ultimate version of Abarth’s hot Bambino, has arrived in Australia offing a combination of performance, equipment and features that truely bring new meaning to the phrase ‘pocket rocket’ with a 225 kmh top speed and the ability to dispatch the race to 100 kmh in less than seven seconds.

Built as a tribute to the historic performance links between Ferrari and Abarth, the Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari clearly displays the two legendary companies’ shared values that include a passion for performance, a racing soul, attention to detail and Italian style.


Abarth and Ferrari are two great names that have contributed, with conviction and dedication, to the legend of Italian racing that is known around the world. The men behind both marques followed very similar careers: first drivers, then tuners and finally heads of companies that command genuine respect in the world of motor racing. These extraordinary men were associated in the past: in 1953 for example, a unique Ferrari-Abarth was born, the Ferrari 166/250 MM Abarth.
The car raced in various international trophies including the legendary Mille Miglia. The tie between the two companies has been reinforced above all by the exhaust systems designed by Abarth specifically for the cars built at Maranello: numerous exhaust systems have been made for various Ferrari models, some of which have won World Championship titles.
In recent years the two brands have started off an even closer collaboration and the result is the Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari, an exclusive car that on the one hand allows Abarth to expand its range, in this way entering the luxury sports car segment, and on the other offers Ferrari customers a small, high performance car for all mobility requirements, including as a practical urban mobility.
The new Abarth 695 "Tributo Ferrari" is distinguished by a number of stylistic features, but more importantly by substantial modifications developed by Abarth and Ferrari engineers. The engine is a 1.4 Turbo T-Jet 16v, tuned to develop more than 132 kW. This is combined with an MTA (Manual Transmission Automated) electromechanical gearbox with race-inspired steering wheel controls that enhances engine’s performance by reducing gearshift times.

To improve acceleration, the car is fitted with performance tyres on 17’’ alloy wheels featuring a design inspired by Ferrari wheels. Ride and braking systems have also been strengthened to cope with the extra power: modular Brembo 305 mm disc brakes with fixed four-piston calliper disc and special shock absorbers that let you enjoy performance in total safety. And of course there is a “Record Monza” variable back pressure “dual mode” exhaust, designed to improve engine performance and deliver an inspiring sound over 3,000 rpm.
On the outside, the car is finished not just in classic Modena Red, but also in the brand-new shade of Modena Yellow, with carbon fibre door mirrors and B pillar trims. Details such as the wheels and front air intakes are in Racing Grey. This new Abarth is equipped with Xenon headlights with dipped and main beam functions for improved light emission and excellent efficiency under all weather conditions. These elements deliver three times the light intensity and duration of standard halogen lamp headlights.
The interiors are also personalised and demonstrate the attention to detail and the sporting style that are common to both brands. “Abarth Corsa by Sabelt” carbon fibre racing seats are fitted and finished in black leather and Alcantara with a shell and seat base in carbon fibre. These seats offer a perfect blend of racing characteristics – light weight (10 kg less than the standard seat) and the ability hold the body steady against lateral and longitudinal forces, thanks to body support elements filled with crush-resistant foam – with the ergonomics and comfort of road seats.
The black leather steering wheel is characterised by red stitches and a tricolour hub on which the MTA gearshift paddles are mounted, while the instrument panel is specially made by Jaeger, and inspired by typical Ferrari instrumentation. Carbon fibre is used right across the dashboard and around the controls for the MTA gearbox. Attention to detail has also been given to the aluminium racing pedals, which are personalised with the Scorpion logo, as is the aluminium kick plate in the passenger footwell. The interior is embellished with other details too, like the special kick plate passenger footwell, door sill trim and a plate bearing the vehicle series number.
The Abarth 695 "Tributo Ferrari" comes with a special pack to keep it safe and clean. The safety pack includes a dedicated travel bag with an emergency triangle, work gloves, emergency lights, and an Abarth yellow safety vest. The cleaning kit includes Abarth Leather Cleaning Fluid, Abarth Body Wax and Abarth Interior Cleaning fluid. The Abarth 695 "Tributo Ferrari" even comes with its own personalised car cover.
The standard Abarth Travel Pack comprises of a set of “stone washed” black leather luggage designed specifically for the luggage compartment of the Abarth 695 "Tributo Ferrari". To maximise audio pleasure, the Abarth 695 "Tributo Ferrari" also comes with iPod support package for the Blue&Me Telematics system.
The Abarth 695 "Tributo Ferrari" is available in Australia with a recommended retail price of $69,990 excluding statutory charges, delivery and dealer costs.
“With its size, performance and features, there really is no other car on the market like the Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari,” says Andrei Zaitzev, General Manager for Abarth in Australia. “Therefore, it should come as no surprise to learn that it is available in strictly limited numbers!”
Technical Data
Engine
Capacity 1368 cc
Power 132 kW/180 bhp @ 5500 rpm
Torque Normal: 230 Nm @ 2000 rpm. Sport: 250 Nm @ 3000 rpm
Turbocharger Garrett 1446 with fixed vanes
Gearbox MTA 5 speed robotised manual with paddle gear shift
Performance
Urban Cycle 8.4 l/100 km
Extra Urban 5.4 l/100 km
Combined 6.5 l/100 km
CO2 151 g/km
Top Speed 225 kmh
0-100 kmh Under seven seconds
Changes from the Abarth 500 Esseesse
• new lower front/rear springs
• new front and rear shock absorbers;
• new, fixed front brake calipers, with four pistons;
• new front brake discs, diameter 305x28 mm;
• new, solid drilled rear brake disc, diameter 240x11;
• brake pad wear sensors on four wheels;
• new high performance front brake pads;
• new 17" alloy rims – 7J x 17 H2 ET38;
• new tyres – 205/40 R17 84W XL;
• new pedal board with screwed-in aluminium pedal covers.
• new Garrett type turbine;
• new steel exhaust manifold;
• new heat shields / sleeves / fittings;
• new water / oil turbocharger pipes;
• new engine management control unit
• MTA gearbox
• new compartment mats;
• new rear/side initials "695 Tributo Ferrari"
• new seat assemblies with carbon fibre backrest;
• new, leather coated door panel rests;
• new components are also: roof trim, door trims and pillars;
• new steering wheels with "Competizione" gearbox paddle controls;
• new right and left trims in carbon fibre on dashboard assembly;
• new exterior rear view mirror caps in carbon fibre;
• new fuel cap in carbon figure;
• new exterior B pillar cover in carbon fibre
• new speedometer with white background, turbocharger pressure gauge and SPORT mode engagement indication
• new Xenon headlights with integrated headlight washers
• The Abarth Safety Kit
• The Abarth car cleaning kit
• Personalised car cover
• Leather trimmed tufted floor mat kit
• The iPod support kit
• A set of stone washed leather fitted luggage
• Personalised key ring

Abarth 500 Esseesse

Italian, hard core high performance, race bred chassis, cutting edge engine design. You could be forgiven for thinking that it's a Ferrari...
...but this is an Abarth 500. Abarth in Australia has launched with the Abarth 500 Esseesse, making this the first country to get this variant straight out of the factory.
Compared to the normal Abarth 500, the Australian Esseesse version gets a power boost (from 99 kW to 118 kW), with torque up from 201 to 230 Nm. The Abarth 500 Esseesse also has extra lowered suspension, up-rated springs and suspension, cross drilled brake discs and 7x17 inch alloy wheels in a style unique to the Esseesse.
The new Abarth 500 Esseesse is the real deal - an all out, no holds-barred, uncompromising, high performance pocket rocket with an engine that delivers amazing performance, a race-bred chassis that enables it to be fully utilised across a broad breadth of road conditions and a new appearance that says one thing: This 500 is ready to rock.