CarsNext » Fiat

IED Turin Students Envision the Common Future of FIAT and Chrysler

L.K. — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 07:10:13 +0000

Back in February, well before Fiat and Chrysler worked out the final deal, a group of second-year students at the Turin-based IED (istituto Europeo di Design) were asked to design a vehicle capable of combining to the best advantage the technical know-how, the platforms and the values of the two brands. The students worked individually and among the designs presented, the team that oversaw the project picked out 13 proposals, including those of Vasily Kurkov and Roberto Testolin that were then selected to be produced as 1:4 scale models.
First up is the Biov that is the work of by Roberto Testolin. The idea behind the small pod-like automobile is the creation of an affordable and ecological vehicle positioned in the A segment that’s aimed at young and eco-conscious buyers. The vehicle’s body panels are made of lightweight plastic materials that are said to reduce the car’s “production complexity” and “engineering costs”.

The second and comparatively more realistic proposal is the Jeep Pygmy by Vasily Kurkov. The odd-looking three-door SUV is based on the platform of the Fiat Panda Cross 4×4. According to the designer, the exterior styling blends European and American aesthetics while the interior that can seat two, is said to combine retro features with high-tech details.

Fiat 500S Convertible Available for Sale in Europe

InMyCar — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 08:32:03 +0000

Italian automaker Fiat presented the new details on its 500C model. The car with a soft-top was introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in March this year, reports WorldCarFans. Three months after the debut the new vehicle appeared for sale in the European market.

The new convertible has already received more than 360 000 applications, more than half the orders are in Europe.

Fiat 500C is equipped with the evolving fabric roof with electric drive. Along with the roof opens also the rear glass, the desks are in place. Thus the Italians kept the design of the mini car coined back in 1957.

The salon is equipped with four seats. The length of the machine is 3,55 m, while the width is 1,65m and the height is 1.49 meters.

Under the hood 500C has three engines, which are used in the model 500. They are the petrol 69-strong 1.2-liter engine, 100-strong 1.4-liter engines, as well as turbo diesel engine with the output of 75 hp and the volume of 1.3 liters. They work in pairs with a 5-speed mechanic transmission, but an automatic transmission Dualogic box is available as an option for the gasoline versions.

In Italy, the base configuration of the car will cost from 16,600 euros, which is 2,800 euros more expensive than the Fiat 500 hatchback. Top version is equipped with a 100-strong petrol engine, will cost 20,800 Euro.

Fiat can start production of Dodge Viper

InMyCar — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 07:40:46 +0000

One of the main Jewels of auto manufacturer Chrysler is the legendary supercar Dodge Viper, which could transfer into a “garage car” and the production of which can stop forever if the Italian Fiat, which plays an important role in a new alliance, do not take the fate of famous models in their own hands .

The head of Chrysler Bob Nardelli has received an official letter from one of the congressmen, in which the official expressed his concern about the fate of Dodge Viper model.

The reason why Congress is so interested in the sale of rights to manufacture this car are not clear, and the company refuses to comment on this issue.

Nardelli only said that the Dodge staff did not succeed in finding a buyer for this model and the plant where it will be produced. License price for Dodge Viper was $ 10 million. The maximum offer received by the producer, does not exceed half of the required amount, writes Finam.RU. Taking into consideration the position of Chrysler, it is strange why the president of the bankrupt company did not mention the proposal of unknown company to buy Viper factory for $ 35 million.

Nardelli advises the U.S. Congress to seriously think about selling Dodge Viper to company Fiat, which also produces Ferrari, which is the major competitor for Viper.

The New York based financial company Lazard Ltd held a detailed assessment of the value of the brand as a whole, and all its technology. Previously, Nardelli announced that Chrysler has already received proposals from three interested organizations to participate in the development of the Viper.

Panoz Auto Development Co., based in Georgia, could also become a corporation a potential buyer.

Viper is equipped with a 8.4-liter V10 engine capacity of more than 600 hp. The first serial car was released in 1992 and became the most expensive model in a series of Dodge.

During the seven months of 2008 682 copies of Viper were in the United States, which doubled the number of supercars sold for the same period in 2007. But was insufficient for the model to be recognized as commercially successful.

Fiat starts selling cabriolet 500 C

InMyCar — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 17:32:20 +0000

The company starts selling Fiat cabriolet based on the famous Chinkvechento – model 500. The mini car have received the index C, appears in the European show-rooms starting the next month.

«July is the month of model 500. The original 500vehicle has appeared in July 1957, we have brought to light a new 500 in July 2007, and next month the convertible version will be released », – said General Director of FIAT Automobiles Lorenzo Sistino.

500 C practically does not differ from its progenitor with technical specifications. Perhaps the only significant difference is the «Stop-Start» system, which allows you to spend 12% less fuel than the 500 model with the same engine but without the system.

The value of convertible will be 16600 euros, which is 2800 euro more expensive than the cost of the base 500 with 1.2-liter engine. Assembling of the model will be implemented at the plant in the town of Tychy, Poland.