RideLust

The U.S. spec Fiat 500. Image: Chrysler Group LLC

Chrysler Group, LLC, had ambitious plans for the launch of the Fiat 500 on U.S. soil. Their plan called for a network of 130 dealerships, from coast to coast, up and operational by the end of February. Blame it on an unusually harsh winter, missed construction deadlines or electromagnetic disturbances in the upper atmosphere, but their latest projection shows that only 20 dealerships will be operational as of today. Another 10 to 20 dealerships are expected to be operating by the end of March, but that’s still (at best) only 30% of dealerships. All 130 aren’t expected to be operational until September, causing Fiat USA head Laura Soave to admit the rollout “is a tiny bit behind”. Read More…

Fiat's 500 will get 'no haggle' pricing. Image: Chrysler Group

Remember the launch of Saturn, the “different kind of car company”? Remember how the Saturn buying experience was going to be unique, complete with modern and inviting dealerships and no-haggle pricing? If you’ve missed that since the demise of Saturn, I’ve got some good news for you: Chrysler is implementing “no haggle” pricing at Fiat dealers. Their strategy behind it is sound: the target market for the Fiat 500 (Generation Y) doesn’t like to negotiate pricing. Instead, they want to know that the price they’ll pay is the best deal, and that no other Fiat 500 buyer in the U.S. will get a better price (please note that I’m keeping my skepticism in check). In the words of Laura Soave, head of Fiat North America, “The pricing is the pricing. The younger generation doesn’t haggle. They don’t feel comfortable with it. They hate the experience.” Read More…

The Fiat 500, outside of NYC. Image: Chrysler Group, LLC

The Fiat 500 is the first car to be sold under the Fiat brand in North America since the Italian manufacturer vacated these shores back in 1983. There’s a lot riding on the diminutive, retro-modern commuter car, which can only count on the cute factor for initial sales. If the Fiat 500 isn’t equal to or better than competitors from Ford, Mini, Honda and others, it won’t generate the expected sales results, which could impact Fiat’s future product mix in the United States. In other words, Fiat has a lot riding on the success of the 500. Read More…

I was cruising around San Francisco today and just couldn’t help but notice all the old vintage iron that was parked on the streets. New York City is currently experiencing snow, freezing temperatures and salted roads, all things that are not conducive to the longevity of an old car. Around here though it’s friggin’ paradise. After cruising the streets for a few hours I just knew that I had to start snapping some photos. Old Corvairs, El Camino’s, Ford’s, Dodge’s and even a bunch of old VW’s littered the streets. The best part though… they’re all driven! Back in NYC seeing anything that was built prior to 1975 is a rarity, but here in San Francisco it seems to be the norm. I’ll be heading home in a few days and truth be told I’m not overly happy about it. In fact I’m so bummed that I actually met with a realtor today just to see what kind of pads I could get for my hard earned dollar. Who knows, maybe it’s time for ole’ Mr. Angry to head west to the land of 75 degrees and sunshine and give these folks a little bit of my New York charm. Click through to check out all the street side beauties. Read More…

Opulance, I has it... Image: Carscoop

I’ll say this upfront: if spending $670,000 to customize a Fiat 500 sounds like a reasonable proposition, you have too damn much money. One Chinese businessman (name and address withheld) is guilty as charged, because the car pictured here was more than just a design exercise; it was, in fact, built to the man’s specifications. The starting point was an Abarth edition Fiat 500 convertible, but things went downhill from there. Read More…

Can someone please tell me why Chrysler wants to muck-up a car before it even goes on sale. I speak of course about the 2012 Fiat 500 that you see here. The 500 is a very cool little car exactly the way it is. Yet Chrysler, like they do with everything else, feels the need to slather it with tacky accessories (see Mopar 10) in the hopes that it will peak buyer interest. This one for example looks like a Mopar accessories catalog threw-up on it. I mean really… MOPAR emblems on a Fiat – who are they kidding? How about this; instead of giving us useless visual add-on’s, how about providing enthusiasts with something they can really use. How about a cat-back exhaust system, or a set of performance shocks, or a trick air intake. You know, things that actually make the car better.
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I suppose if you throw enough money and development at something you can make anything go fast and look good. Take this Fiat 500 Abarth for example. In stock form the U.S. version is said to have about 170 hp, a figure that seems pretty good in a car that’s no bigger than a roller skate. You’d figure with that much power in such a pint-sized package most people would be feeling pretty good about it. However the tuners at Hamman and H&R are not most people, so they decided to have a crack at getting a few more ponies out of Fiats little play toy.
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It looks as though FIAT is going to be marketing itself as a lifestyle brand here in the United States. Their first ad takes on a “break the mold” type of vibe by flooding us with images of beautiful people doing fun things in happy places. Basically they’re telling you that you’re boring and that by purchasing this little roller skate, your life will be turned around. Brands like MINI and Smart have been preaching this stuff for years to their customers and it’s definitely helped them move some merchandise. Listen, at the end of the day the new FIAT 500 is a cute little car that I have a feeling will be a big hit over here in the United States. Lets just hope it’s reliable, well built and fun to drive, because if that old “Fix It Again Tony” acronym comes out to rear its ugly head, this thing will all but die before it even gains any steam.

Source: Youtube.com

There’s no denying that the Italians have an unmatched sense of style when it comes to things with wheels. Consider Ducati, Ferrari, Lamborghini and Moto Guzzi as examples; now Fiat is hoping to piggyback on that style credibility with the Fiat 500. We gave you pricing on it here, and Fiat has just released the above video providing some good imagery of the car’s interior and exterior.

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Can’t get enough of the obscenely cute Fiat 500? Want to put one in your garage as soon as possible? There’s good news from Fiat/Chrysler: the diminutive urban commuter will start at just $15,500, for the base trim level (called “Pop”) with no options and no dealership “ADM”, which won’t be easy to find given the interest in the 500. The mid-level trim package is called “Sport”, and this comes with a stiffer suspension, 16” alloy wheels, performance exhaust and revised front and rear fascias. Sport versions start at $17,500 before you add options (and dealer price gouging). At the upper end is the Fiat 500 Lounge, which focuses on luxury and amenities and starts at $19,500. If you go crazy checking option boxes, it’s not difficult to get a Fiat 500 Lounge over $24,000; that’s a little steep for an urban commuter car, but it’s still less than a well optioned Mini.

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