Fiat sold 7,982 cars since March with 3,038

Besides having already sold 7,982 cars since March with 3,038 deliveries in July alone, Fiat seems to be reaping great profits from its small model.

That’s because American buyers apparently like to personalize their 500 by choosing pricier editions and adding numerous options. As a result, prices go up generating bigger profits for the Italian brand.

For example, the Sport version accounts for almost half of the 500's sales, despite being $2,000 more expensive than the base Pop version, according to the brand’s chief, Laura Soave.

Moreover, the $19,500 Lounge accounts for 20% of total US sales in the first five months of 2011. Apparently, customizing seems to be the rule rather than the exception.

“A lot of what we ‘re seeing is customers really wanting to build their car” said Soave. And they’re willing not just to pay more, but also wait patiently for six to eight weeks to get their personalized 500 delivered.

The 500 is offered in 14 exterior colors and numerous options that allow for 500,000 different combinations.

Fiat already has 94 US dealerships through which the 500 is sold, and until the end of the year this number will reach 500 across the States. Finally, the high demand of the 500 has forced Fiat to increase its US inventory from the initial target of 60 days to 90 days by the end of July.

Via: Autonews

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Fiat 500 by American design house Scagliarini Motorsports called the 504 Coupe Zagato Elaborata.

we published the news about a limited-production Fiat 500 by American design house Scagliarini Motorsports called the 504 Coupe Zagato Elaborata. Scagliarini claimed in a press release that the car was inspired by the 500 Zagato Coupe launched in Geneva last March, and even used the Italian company’s name.

However, Zagato contacted us today and stated that it has no involvement whatsoever with Scagliarini’s project, nor has it granted permission for its name and logo to be used. Therefore, it intends to use all necessary legal actions in order to protect its individual property.

Here is Zagato’s statement:

“Zagato intend to declare that there isn't any involvement at all regarding the “Scagliarini 504 Coupé Zagato Elaborata”. The Milanese Atelier has been never approached by Scagliarini and neither contacts nor commercial initiatives took place at all.

Due to the above reasons Zagato neither released any approval regarding this project and the Intellectual Property of the Fiat 500 Zagato, nor the use of the Zagato name and logo. In addition, no production tooling have been ever used to design the above Scagliarini. Zagato is taking all the needed legal actions for the purpose”.

FIAT 500 COUPE ZAGATO CONCEPT

Extreme Fiat Abarth 500 RWD 230 HP Engine

The 500 Abarth’s standard 1.4-liter turbocharged engine was reworked extensively gaining a larger Garrett turbo, different injectors, custom sport exhaust system and other parts boosting output to 230HP and 330Nm, which are fed to the rear wheels through a five-speed manual gearbox and an electronic limited-slip differential.

The mechanical upgrades are accompanied by a new aero kit that includes a side-air vent for the engine along with new 17-inch alloy wheels shod in 205/40 tires. Inside, the 500 Abarth features a pair of bucket seats with the entire cabin dressed in leather in a two-tone black and orange theme. The exterior and interior mods are the work of Aznom.

The end-result of all these changes is a hot mini that weighs in at 1,050kg (2,314 pounds) and is capable of reaching 100km/h from standstill in just 4.7 seconds en route to a top speed of 240km/h (149 mph).

And if that ain’t enough, Lucarelli-Monza is working on a more hardcore yet still street-legal version called the R280 Track which goes on a strict diet to drop weight to 950kg (2,094 pounds) and gains a 280HP engine for a 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint time of3.9sec and a top speed of around 260km/h (162 mph).

Steve Truglia Loops the Fiat 500 at AutoRAI [with Video]

At this week's AutoRAI show in the Netherlands, sponsor Shell partnered with stuntman Steve Truglia to put on a very Hot Wheels performance. Truglia drove a Fiat 500 through a 22-piece loop that stands 11 meters tall and made it look easy. See for yourself in the video after the jump.

According to the Dutch press release, the 500 was gutted and modified with a roll cage, new fuel tank, and an integrated limiter to ensure the right speed. Check out the stunt and interviews in the video below.

By Phil Alex

VIDEO

Fiat Crafts Furniture Pieces Inspired by the Original 500

At this week’s 50th Furniture Fair in Milan, Italy, Fiat previewed the “Fiat 500 Design Collection”, an initiative by the firm’s marketing boss Lapo Elkann and furniture maker Meritalia. The collection is a tribute to the original Fiat 500 and includes a sofa, a table and a console, all inspired by the 1970's Fiat 500. Each of the three pieces sports a plate that says: “Lapo and Meritalia pay tribute to the Fiat 500”.

The “PIC NIC” table uses two front ends of the Fiat 500 glued back to back and is mounted on two wheels. Over the car parts sits a transparent glass fixed to the ground with crystal legs. The wheels are not shod with tyres but with flexible black polyurethane.

The “CIN CIN” console is similar to the “PIC NIC” except it has no wheels. The top part is made from crystal and the piece is available with three height options. Finally, the “PANORAMA” sofa uses the same Fiat 500 “face” upon which a padded seat and backrest are mounted. The covers are made either from fabric or from leather and the producers say it's a particularly comfortable couch.

Fiat says the names of the pieces have been inspired by an “open air” vision of the Fiat 500, as all three of them have been designed for outdoor use.

By Dan Mihalascu

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Chrysler Group to Unveil New Production Model and a Race-Inspired Study at New York Auto Show

We’re used to the Chrysler Group unveiling new or heavily refreshed models lately, and it looks like the company will keep the product momentum going at next week’s New York International Auto Show. According to a brief statement from the Detroit automaker, the company is planning the premiere of an unnamed production model and what is being described as a “race-inspired project vehicle” at the Big Apple. Chrysler is being quite secretive about the debuts as the company did not give out any other details.

In addition, the Detroit automaker said it will announce a new strategic relationship that will “enhance its service and parts business”, again without providing any further information on the matter.

We’ll keep a close eye on the story and post a update as soon as we receive any news. Until then, feel free to speculate on the models the Chrysler Group plans to reveal at the New York Show.

Abarth 500 Turned into a 230HP Mid-Engined RWD Track Toy

Italian aftermarket specialist Aznom has teamed up with Lucarelli-Monza to transform the Abarth 500 into a mid-engined track beast. Named Motore Centrale R230, the car will be unveiled at the upcoming Top Marques Monaco show (April 14-17), alongside the Spada Codatronca, another project on which Aznom has worked.

Called Motore Centrale R230, the Fiat Abarth 500-based car is rear-wheel drive, with the engine having been moved behind the driver and passenger seats. Even the car's battery has been moved at the rear of the car to help achieve an ideal weight distribution and improve traction. Of course, all these modifications mean the rear seats are gone (not that they were of much use to adult passengers anyway).

The standard 1.4-liter 4-cylinder turbocharged engine has been tuned up to 230 horsepower and 330 Nm (243.4 lb-ft) of torque, with the car also receiving a new suspension with Bilstein dampers and larger brake disks (335 mm front, 305 mm rear). In order to stick to the track even better, the Motore Centrale R230 rides on semi-slick Kumho tyres, as you can see in the unusual teaser photo.

But that's not all: the car will also be available in a 280HP track version called Pista, which will weigh 900 kilograms (1,984 lbs) and will be fitted with a roll-cage, completely adjustable suspension and dampers, limited-slip differential and telemetrics. Aznom hopes to build at least 30 units each year of the Motore Centrale R230.

By Dan Mihalascu

2012 Fiat 500 Accessorized by Mopar to Break Cover in Detroit

In addition to the previously mentioned 2011 Chrysler 200 Super S, Mopar will also be displaying several aftermarket accessories for the recently launched in the USA, Fiat 500, through a special version of the city car at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Like the Chrysler 200, the Mopar-flavored Fiat 500 is all show and no-go, as all upgrades are more or less purely cosmetic.

The Detroit Show Mopar 500 appears to be far less impressive than the concept shown by the same division at last year's SEMA gathering, with the overall styling bringing to mind the accessories found on Mopar's "10' Limited Edition Challenger". Details and photos after the jump.

Following is a list of Mopar accessories that will be featured on the 2012 Fiat 500:

Door-sill guards with 500 logo
Roof/hood decals feature a double-blue stripe
Katzkin leather interior, black with blue accents
Carbon fiber-style hand brake
Carbon fiber-style shift knob with leather boot
Rear window-mount rack
Snowboard carrier
Wheels, black gloss
Chromed exhaust tip
Chromed mirror covers
Chromed fuel door
Chromed grille surround, front and back
Wheel center caps
Key fob cover
Strut tower brace

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