2008 Fiat 500: UK Prices Star Under £8,000

Fiat’s UK department has just announced prices of the new 500 (huge image gallery here), which goes on sale through the Italian carmaker’s 162-strong UK dealer network in January 2008. On-the-road prices at tax happy UK start at £7,900 ($16,450 or €11,350) for the basic 69 bhp 1.2-litre version and go up to £10,700 ($22,270 or €15,380) for the better equipped 100 bhp 1.4-litre petrol & 75 bhp 1.3-litre MultiJet turbodiesel versions. -Continued after the jump

The new Fiat 500 can be ordered in three different trim levels – Pop, Sport and Lounge with standard equipment in the entry-level Pop including ABS anti-lock brakes with EBD, driver, passenger, side and driver’s knee airbags, radio/CD/MP3 player, power steering, electric mirrors, colour coded bumpers and chrome-plated door handles. Sport and Lounge versions add the Blue & Mehands-free media system, air conditioning and 15” alloy wheels. The Sport specification includes a rear roof spoiler, fog lights, sports interior and dark tinted rear windows, while Lounge trim includes a split, folding rear seat and fixed glass roof.

Fiat also offers a huge list of style options for personalising the interior and exterior of the new 500.

Fiat 500 U.K. On-the-road Pricing

1.2 Pop	£7,900
1.2 Sport	£9,300
1.2 Lounge	£9,300
1.3 MultiJet Pop	£9,300
1.4 Pop	£9,300
1.3 MultiJet Sport	£10,700
1.3 MultiJet Lounge	£10,700
1.4 Sport	£10,700
1.4 Lounge	£10,700

Fiat 500 Art Car Sells For $85,000!

Call me incult, but if I saw this on my driveway I’d probably be practicing my French on the next-door neighbor’s kids. But someone actually paid a hefty $85,000 or £42,000 to obtained this car last Saturday (13 Oct.) during the Contemporary Art Auction at the Phillips de Pury & Company saleroom in London. The painting is the work of English artist, Tracey Emin, who’s planning to paint three other 500s (click here), one before the end of the year and two in 2008. All of them will be auctioned. The good news is that proceeds from the sales will go to the artist’s chosen charity PEAS, which is raising funds for a school library in Uganda.

Video: Fifth Gear Tests The New Fiat 500

The blokes at UK’s Fifth Gear TV show got their hands on Fiat’s new 500 taking it for a first drive. As you can see in the video, 5th Gear’s Tom Ford was more than impressed with the Italian rival to BMW’s MINI in the premium mini segment. Ford concludes that the 500 is a well made, practical and enjoyable mini with tons of character that may not be as sharp to drive as the MINI but it’s cheaper, almost as spacious and at least as much of a pleasure to sit in.

Via: Autoblog.it

Fiat Nuovo 500 Bi-Colore By Aznom

Can you imagine how many tuners will present customization programmes for the “nuovo” 500 once Fiat begins selling it in all of Europe early next year? We’ve already seen a dozen or so propositions and the 500 is (or rather was since 2007’s production is sold out) available only in Italy and France! This one is the work of Italian custom shop, Aznom who picked out a “bumblebee” paintjob theme for the exterior along with 17-inch alloy wheels. Inside, Aznom offers three grades of customization –depending on the depth of your wallet, covering the cabin with wood inserts, bi-colour seats etc. -Follow the jump for more pictures and the translated press release

Via: Autoblog.it , Source: Aznom

Translated Press Release

The rework of the 500 is born from the will to improve and to personalize a icona, sign of the Italian rebirth, the will to change and to render on measure something created one for all. One new challenge for Aznom, only owner of the brand in the field automotive, not only on base 500, but for whichever other your desire on two and four wheels. For our realizations we have established a partnership with Giovanni Novello, of the Nowa Group, whose family is engaged sin from years `50 in the preparation, numerous realization and cure of specially built. The group is distinguished also in the field of the restorations and the handicraft personalizzazioni.

500 Fiat ricarrozzata Topolino by hand from Walter Novello, father of Giovanni, in 1949. In origin it was a giardinetta in wood, after the transformation it it has been lengthened the step and elaborated the motor, and rifared completely the auto body with inner and colors it personalizes to you.

Our first realization on base 500 is been born with the scope to experience new materials, new colors and to risk new cromatismi in order to stimulate the fantasy and the estro of our customers. The plancia totally it is personalized covered from an eccentric essence of wood that donates a touch of originality for who does not want to conform to the aesthetic usuals canoni.

The outside of the 500 by Aznom is bicolored, the particular one of the roof and of the small mirrors pearly cangiante is painted with one ocher tonality, in perfect contrast with the black one of the inferior part.

The inner ones are completely are covered in bicolored skin. Sitting and back are rifiniti to cannelloni style years' 60. The brown and the ocher yellow are alternated wise between several the sitting for giving a sense of elegant mobility to all the nside. Perfect frame is the alcantara that it covers the sky and mounting, without to omit the fins parasol alternated in skin brown and alcantara. Specchiatevi in the lusso.

The circles in alloy from 16 inches of series have been replaced with of the 17 inches in ultralight alloy multirace Mak Passenger XLR with pneumati specific Yokohama “Parada”, thanks to partnership with RS & TA to us the Yokohama and Mak.

Specials on this version: key with same essence of wood used for the plancia, ag in skin with the inner colors of and the manici ones with the same lignea essence of the plancia, trousse for tools in skin with the colors of the inner ones. A singular particularitity of this version 500 is an exclusive device for the sbloccaggio of the door fleeting side through a hidden appropriate push-button in the dashboard. This device was mounted in origin on 130 Fiat Coupè in order to facilitate the climb to edge of the getlteman. We have likeably renamed it “push-button gallant”, an unavailable accessory vintage and. The galanteria returns fashionable…

For the fortunate owners the course of sure guide will be the opportunity to carry out to the special price of 400 € trackznom.

The 500 by Aznom in three declinations…
Aznom redefines style and quality creating with its partner a chosen width of personalizzazioni; in this case we have reassumed in three adjectives, the three ways to be Aznom.

“Amiable” version
External Selleria in skin, particular on ink to your choice
beginning from 4500€
time realization 1 month approximately

“Intriguing” version
Selleria and particular in skin (panels door ant. post. , change and brake by hand) bicolored Auto body, plancia personalizzabile.
beginning from 6500€
time of realization 1 and half approximately

Version “Seducente”
Covering total in skin, bicolored auto body or special color, plancia in valuable materials, tappetini personalizes and vain baggages to you.
Beginning from 8500 €
Time of realization 1 and half months approximately

The prices can vary based on the choice of the skin and valuable materials to use

Frankfurt Bits & Pieces: Fiat’s Humongous 500 Merry-Go-Round

Not only did Fiat have a few of the best looking babes at the Frankfurt Show, but the Italians also had by far the most intriguing stand. In particular, Fiat created a gigantic replica of the new 500, exactly five times larger than the actual car. And that’s not all as the giga 500 incorporated a mini circuit (with music, lights and special films) where you could hop in one of the five available versions of the 500 and take a mini-stride inside the replica. If you happen to visit the Frankfurt Show (11 to 23 Sep.), don’t miss it. -More images after the jump

Frankfurt Show: Fiat 500 Cup By MS-Design

While everyone is eagerly waiting for Fiat to present the Abarth version of the new 500, MS-Design took the liberty to present an impressive sport package for the funky Italian mini at the Frankfurt Show. Dubbed Fiat 500 Cup, MS-Design’s sport package features a full bodykit that includes a front and rear spoiler, a roof wing, a rear apron, optic lateral strips and wider wheel arches that house lusty 17-inch white color alloy wheels. There are more pictures of the Fiat 500 Cup after the jump. -Click “Read More…” below

EuroNCAP: 5-Star Rating For Fiat 500, 4-Star For The Renault Twingo

Oh boy, its coming; the earth will turn upside down and all hell will freeze: Renault developed a new model that achieved a “mere” 4-star rating in adult occupancy protection with an overall score of 28 points. Though that’s pretty ok (and better than the Twingo I’s 3-star rating), we’re certain that we can hear some “French” at Renault’s headquarters… Especially now that they found out about the new Fiat 500 's five star rating in adult occupant protection with an overall score of 35 points.

In the other tests, both the Renault Twingo II and Fiat 500 were rated with 2-stars (out of four) for pedestrian protection. While the Twingo II was not tested for child-protection as there was not enough space to fit Renault’s recommended child restraints in the rear seats with the front seats set to Euro NCAP’s test position for adults (…) the Fiat 500 managed a so-and-so 3-star rating (out of five). -Continued after the jump

EuroNCAP Fiat 500

Front impact: The passenger compartment remained stable during the impact. The driver's knees were well protected by an airbag. Fiat showed that the airbag would also protect larger and smaller occupants and those sat in different seating positions. There were no structures in the dashboard that presented a risk of injury to the passenger's knees and femurs.

Child-protection: In the side impact, the head of the 3 year old dummy was not contained within the child restraint and it contacted the side of the 18 month child's restraint. In the same test, the head of the 18 month was contained but experienced a high head deceleration caused by contact with the side of the restraint. The passenger airbag can be disabled to allow a rearward facing child restraint to be used in that seating position. However, information provided to the driver about the status of the airbag is not clear. The presence of ISOFIX anchorages in the rear outboard seats is not clearly marked.

Pedestrian protection: The front edge of the bonnet scored no points for the protection it offered to pedestrians' legs. The bonnet offered predominantly poor protection to pedestrians' heads.

EuroNCAP Renault Twingo II

Front impact: The passenger compartment remained stable during the impact. Structures in the dashboard presented a potential hazard to the knees and femurs of both of the driver's legs and to the passenger's inboard leg.

Child-protection: With the front seats set to the Euro NCAP test position (mid-position of fore-aft adjustment), the child restraints recommended by Renault could not be fitted in the rear seats. Therefore, it was not possible to establish the child protection rating of the Twingo.

Pedestrian protection: The bumper offered predominantly fair protection to pedestrians' legs. However, the front edge of the bonnet was rated as poor and scored no points. The bonnet surface was rated as predominantly poor for the protection offered to pedestrians' heads.

Cocky Racer Crashes Seconds Before Winning Race

This foolish Fiat 500 driver got a bit too excited when he realized he was about to “win” the race…theoretically speaking. As he was pumping his fist outside of the car window in anticipated victory, he lost control and swerved uncontrollably off the track missing the finish line by a few feet. Hey buddy, next time, keep both hands on the wheel! *As our readers rightfully pointed out, its a Fiat 600 and not a Fiat 500

Posted by Dani

Fiat 500: 2007 Production Sold Out In 3 Weeks!

Things seem to be getting better and better for the Fiat Group as the Italians just announced that this year’s initial production for the new 500 has been sold out in just three weeks! “As of yesterday, we had received 57,000 dealer orders for the 500, of which 51,000 are from Italy and 6,000 are from France,” said Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne in a call with financial analysts yesterday. Due to the unusual success of the new 500, Fiat will raise production in the Tychy plant from this September building between 65,000 and 67,000 units this year, and 140,000 units a year from 2008. -Continued after the jump

Bear in mind that Fiat also builds the Panda at the Polish plant and that from autumn 2008, Tychy will also be responsible for the forthcoming Ford Ka mini car which is based on the Fiat 500. In all, within a year Fiat expects Tychy to be able to build 140,000 units a year of the new 500 along with 120,000 units of the Ford Ka and 240,000 units of the Fiat Panda.

Via: ANE

Fiat 500: Italians Are Studying SUV And SW Derivatives

Fiat’s is determined to capitalize on the momentum by planning to introduce several derivatives of the recently introduced New 500. The Italian firm has already announced that it will unveil an Abarth performance version equipped with a 1.4-litre Turbo engine at the Tokyo Show in October and a convertible in 2008 (most probably in Geneva, March). Now, Fiat is considering whether it should plan a full-head attack by developing two more variants, an SUV/Crossover obviously based on the Panda 4x4 mechanics and a Station Wagon (pic above).

“By the end of the year, we expect to decide on the New 500 Station Wagon and SUV,” a Fiat executive told Automotive News Europe under condition of anonymity. From the looks of things, Fiat is pretty darn serious about it as they showed the Station Wagon version in a video during the New 500’s media introduction last week. In the clip, Fiat 500’s designer Roberto Giolito displayed the station wagon version, giving journalists a taste of what they should expect if plans go ahead. Sounds like Fiat Group’s CEO Sergio Marchionne has learned his lesson well from BMW’s MINI renaissance. Now if he could just find a way to get the 500 into the North American market...

Via: ANE

Carscoop Poll: If Fiat Brought The 500 To The US, Would You Buy It?

You’ve seen it and you like it a lot but the question is, if it were to be imported to the States, would you actually go ahead and sign a check to buy Fiat’s retro styled Nuovo 500? Although this is based on pure speculations, think of a price range between $12k and $19k. Moreover, just to set things into perspective, we’re talking about an intermediate alternative to sub-compact cars like the tiny Smart Fortwo, Honda Jazz, Toyota Yaris and the more upscale VW Beetle and MINI and not to larger or sportier cars in the same price range. Tell us what you think. -See the Fiat 500 here

Fiat 500 Abarth: Official Presentation At The October Tokyo Show

Surprised? So are we. While most of us were expecting Fiat to unveil the turbocharged version of its 500 minicar at next year’s Geneva Show, yesterday, during the worldwide media presentation in Torino, Italy, Fiat Automobile’s CEO (not Fiat Group) Luca De Meo, announced that the 500 Abarth will make its public appearance at the forthcoming Tokyo Show this October!

We talked to several journalists that attended the media presentation in Torino, but unfortunately no one managed to dig out any information concerning the Abarth’s powertrain. We suspect though that the rang-topping 500 will wear the Grande Punto’s 1.4-liter turbocharged unit that’s available in 120Hp and 150Hp guises. Check out a video featuring a prototype 500 Abarth at the Nurburgring race track here.

New Fiat 500: 100 High-Res Images

We’re inaugurating our newly bought image space here on Carscoop -can’t have everything for free!, by presenting about 100 high-res pictures of Fiat’s highly anticipated Nuovo 500; a car that Fiat’s CEO Sergio Marchionne believes will become the Italian carmaker’s iPod. "I want Fiat to become the Apple of automobiles. And the 500 will be our iPod," Marchionne said in an interview published Wednesday on the Italian newspaper Turin daily La Stampa. With all the commotion surrounding the 500 in Europe, don’t be surprised if he actually manages to succeed in doing so. Later on we’ll add the full English press release, but for now, follow the jump to check out our humongous Fiat Nuovo 500 image gallery. -Click “read More…” below

Via: Autoblog.it , Source: Fiat