Fiat 500 by Gucci, Priced from €20k

With the "500 by Gucci" hatchback having already logged some 3,000 pre-orders online, Fiat wasn't about to let a good run go to waste. Today, the Italians announced the release of topless version that goes by the name "500C by Gucci".


Gucci Creative Director Frida Giannini once again customized the special edition version of the 500C in collaboration with the Centro Stile Fiat. The chief difference between the two models is that Giannini removed the green-red-green Gucci web pattern from the 500C's profile and placed it on the car's electrically operated black top.
Like the hatchback model, the 500C by Gucci will be available in either white with matte chrome-plated elements or glossy black with shiny chrome-plated accents.
Other exterior details worth mentioning are the 16-inch spoked alloy wheels with a double "G" logo on the hubcaps and Gucci signature in italics displayed on the tailgate and on the door pillar.
Inside, we find the same upgrades and unique elements seen on the hatch including the bespoke Gucci upholstery, satin and polished chrome-plated elements, and a velvet-effect finish on the radio panel.
The topless model will be available for order this month and from September will be on display in selected Italian Fiat showrooms. In Italy, the 500C by Gucci will have a price tag of €20,000 (approximately US$28,900).

PHOTO GALLERY

Read more In Cars

Marchionne Merges Fiat and Chrysler Group

Sergio Marchionne, the CEO of Fiat and Chrysler, has announced the unification of the two automakers’ management teams in one, smaller unit. As Fiat said in a statement, from September 1, the group will have four regional managers for both companies’ operations in Europe, Asia, North America and South America.
These regional chiefs, along with Marchionne himself, and other 17 managers will form a “group executive council". Not surprisingly, Fiat execs dominate the new consolidated management team, with 14 people sourced from the Italian-based carmaker and only five from Chrysler.
Until now, the executives of both companies have worked together in all industrial functions like engineering, design, manufacturing, quality control etc. Marchionne has admitted that he aims to merge the two groups in order to reduce costs and increase their revenue to $140 billion (€100 billion) ‘till 2014.
In comparison, last year Fiat and Chrysler’s combined revenue was $81.47 billion while production reached 3.58 million units. Marchionne’s grander plan is to create a global group strong enough to compete against the biggest names in the industry such as VW, Ford, GM and Toyota.

PHOTO GALLERY

Read more In Cars

New Hyundai Azera and Fiat 500 Abarth At LA Show

Ah Twitter; the land of 140-characters where you can follow anyone without creeping them out has lately turned into something like a news board for automakers.

Instead of releasing an announcement on their respective websites, Fiat and Hyundai chose the social network to broadcast their 2011 LA Show debuts, which include the 2012 Azera and the 500 Abarth.
Starting from Hyundai, the South Korean automaker that could, will bring to LA the North American market version of its next generation Azera sedan, which has already been launched in its home market as the Grandeur.
The front-wheel drive Azera slots between the Sonata and the Genesis sedan and will most likely be offered with a 270-horsepower V6 engine.
Fiat's LA Show debut is the sport version of 500 mini called the Abarth. It features an aggressive bodykit along with a tuned chassis and a 1.4-liter turbocharged engine capable of delivering between 140HP and 180HP, depending on the model.

2012 HYUNDAI GRANDEUR

FIAT 500 ABARTH EU

Read more In Cars

Fiat Panda

Last February Fiat recorded Europe’s lowest average CO2 emissions for the fourth year in a row. And now it reinforces its eco-friendly character by introducing an all-Euro 5 engine line-up across the Panda range in Britain.
The base 1.1-liter engine is replaced by a 1.2-liter Euro 5 engine. It has an output of 69 bhp, accelerating the car from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 13.4 seconds and on to a top speed of 101 mph (162 km/h), while its average consumption is 57.6 mpg UK (4.9 lt/100 km) and its CO2 emissions 113 g/km.
The 1.3-liter MultiJet turbodiesel has a 0-62 mph (0-100 km) time of 13.1 seconds, a top speed of 103 mph (166 km/h), an average consumption of only 67.3 mpg (4.2 lt/100 km) and emits 109 g CO2 per km.
The entry-level Fiat Panda Active offers power steering, electric front windows, body coloured bumpers and driver and passenger airbags as standard.
The MyLife editions also gain alloy wheels, remote central locking and 12V power socket, while the Dynamic trim adds body coloured door mirrors and handles, roof bars, air conditioning, pearlescent paint, split folding rear seat, MP3 player and fog lights.

Read more In Cars

Alfa Romeo’s Return to the US Delayed Until 2013

It’s 2003, 2004, 2006 – you get the idea- happening all over again; Alfa Romeo’s return to the US market has been delayed and will not happen in 2012 as was the most recent plan. Instead, Fiat Group and Chrysler LLC CEO, Sergio Marchionne, has pushed the Italian brand’s arrival back for another year, or so until he announces another delay.
Technically, Alfa has already returned to the market it abandoned in 1995 by selling 100 units of its 8C Competizione supercar. And Marchionne won’t exactly break his promise about 2012: the small detail is that it will be only with a few examples of the limited-edition 4C coupe.
If –and that’s a very big IF- everything goes according to schedule, Alfa’s actual second coming to the US will happen in mid-2013 starting with a compact crossover model.
The reason for the latest delay is the fact that Marchionne has thrice in the last 18 months rejected proposals for the new Giulia, the compact sport sedan that will replace the 159 and will be the second model, after the SUV, to be sold to the US market through Fiat dealerships.
Let’s keep our fingers crossed that this time it’s for real. Because since 2000, when the then-CEO Paolo Cantarella announced a return to the US in alliance with GM, which was subsequently pushed back to 2002 before being abandoned, we’ve already heard more than enough reports on the matter.
And this is all starting to sound like TV televangelists who every other day, and twice on Sundays, predict the end of the world yet, despite their "prophecies", planet Earth is still here.

PHOTO GALLERY

Read more In Cars

Fiat Marks 500 Launch in China

The first Fiat 500 to make its way into China was presented today in Shanghai by Fiat Group Executive Vice President for International Operations, Lorenzo Sistino.

To celebrate the launch, Fiat crafted a special version named 500 “First Edition” featuring bodywork graphics by five young Chinese designers. The special edition will be available in a limited run of just 100 numbered units ahead of the city car’s regular launch in China on September 15.

The 500 “First Edition” is based on the Lounge trim featuring a three-coat pearlescent white body color, red leather interior and special badges on the door pillars. It is equipped with the 1.4-liter MultiAir engine that delivers 101HP and is mated to a 6-speed automatic gearbox.

The normal 500 that arrives in China in September will feature the same engine and gearbox offering buyers a choice of three trim levels (Pop, Sport and Lounge), 12 body colours, 9 color-material combinations for the upholstery and two interior trims (black or ivory).

All who place an order for the Fiat 500 between July 12 and September 15 will automatically enter a draw with the winner being able to exchange his or her car with one of the 100 “First Edition” models.

Sistino said the 500 hatchback will be followed next year by the 500C convertible and the “500 by Gucci” version, while he also revealed that next year Fiat will launch a new saloon made in its Chinese plant in Changsha with its local partner GAC.

PHOTO GALLERY

Read more In Cars