Auto Blitz: Fiat 500

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SEMA Preshow: 2010 Fiat 500 Tuned by the American Way

The Chrysler Group is bumping up the interest on the upcoming U.S. market Fiat 500 with a tuned concept version readied by none other than the Mopar Underground team, which will make its world premiere at next month's SEMA Show.

In what could be seen as a preview of things to come for U.S. buyers of the retro-styled city car, Mopar's team has created a raft of unique styling and performance parts for the 500.

The "Numero Uno" (not the pizza, the car), which is the first in a series of 500 limited edition Fiat 500s to reach Canadian shores, was auctioned off on Saturday evening by Chrysler at Toronto's 17th annual Venetian Ball. The car fetched an impressive $85,000 (no word if that's CAD or USD), with all proceeds benefiting Villa Charities, which is said to provide "culturally sensitive care" for the elderly Italian-Canadian population.

After seeing Fenice Milano's Rolls-Royce Diva, would you expect them to do any less to a car like the Fiat 500? No, of course not, which is why you see all the gold trim covering the Italian company's 500C-based "La Dolce Vita".

Last month, we told you that General Motors' European Opel / Vauxhall division announced the development of a new small car below the Corsa. Now, Autonews is reporting the car, which is codenamed "Junior", will be a funky upscale proposal designed to compete with Fiat's 500 mini in one of the smallest - literally - segments of them all.

If you feel the regular Abarth 500C could benefit from a few more ponies under the hood, Fiat's performance division has the answer in the form of the Esseesse edition. The tuning package bumps output of the standard 1.4-liter turbocharged engine from 140HP and 206Nm to 160HP and 230Nm, respectively.

As expected, it didn't take long for Fiat fans to buy out the first batch of 500 city cars that will come to the States in the form a limited edition model called the "500 Prima Edizione". Today, Chrysler announced that all 500 examples of the special edition, which was offered in three colors - Bianco (White), Rosso (Red), and Grigio (Gray)- and only with a manual gearbox, have been spoken for.

Today, the Chrysler Group lifted the wraps off the North American version of the retrotastic Fiat 500, which will be available for order in the States later this year in Sport, Pop and Lounge trims, followed by a targa-top convertible model (500C) in spring of 2011.

Fiat's Abarth division is expanding its range with the launch of the esseesse tuning kits for the new Abarth 500C (convertible) and Abarth Punto Evo models at this month's Paris Auto Show. While Abarth is withholding most details on the "esseesse" packages that are designed improve the cars' performance, handling and styling, the Italian company did release info on the power upgrades.

One of the perks of being an F1 driver for an automaker is that you get a lot of free stuff, including cars - not because white collar execs love you, but because they want to milk every single ounce of fame out of you. In the case of human billboards Ferrari team drivers Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa, aside from those lovely gas station employee-like hats and polos, they also get their pick of cars from the Fiat Group.

Even dedicated fans of Fiat's 500 mini will have a hard time tracking down all the special edition models released by the Italian company over the years, but for those that continue to care, here's one more limited production version of the car, this time made exclusively for Japan.

The Chrysler Group today hosted a special event in Detroit for around 400 of its car dealers from targeted markets across the country to tell them what it will take to become a Fiat dealer in the United States. Fiat, which controls 20 percent of Chrysler, plans to unveil the U.S.-spec version of its 500 mini at the Los Angeles auto show in November and begin selling the car by the end of the year.

While we're all for special / limited edition models, we can't help but scratch our heads after learning that the Fiat Group's Abarth 695 Ridicolo Tributo Ferrari has been launched in Spain with a price tag that starts at -hold on to something- €46,339, or about US$58,900 at the current exchange rates! Talk about paying tribute to Maranello...

And before you say "oh, Spain might have high taxes on cars", or something along those lines, we checked out some local prices on various sports models, and let's just say that you can buy a brand-new Nissan 370Z and still be left with a LOT of pocket change. Tell us what you think in the comments section after the jump

The Chrysler Group has released a tentative list of where it will be selling Fiat's cutey-patooty Fiat 500. Approximately 600 dealers nationwide have been informed that they are currently in a market suitable for the 500. With applications ending in September, Chrysler says it will have its final decisions ready by "early October".

Fiat has a special edition version of its 500 for just about everybody. Only days after the arrival of the £30k Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari, the Italian automaker announced the launch of the fashion-inspired, 500CbyDIESEL which goes on sale in the UK today.

The convertible version of the 500byDIESEL gets the same distinct features as the tin top model including the unique 16-inch alloy wheels and the denim fabric interior, plus a new Midnight Indigo Blue exterior color, which Fiat claims is reminiscent of stone-washed denim jeans.

The Fiat 500-based, Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari, is possibly the closest we'll ever get to a baby model from the company with the Prancing Horse logo. And now, almost a year after its world premiere at the 2009 Frankfurt motor show in Germany, Fiat has confirmed UK availability.

Only 152 examples of the Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari will be available in right hand drive form in Britain, each carrying a steep price tag of £29,600, which comes to around €35,500 or US$46,900 at today's exchange rates. That's roughly what you'd pay for a BMW 135i Coupe M Sport (£30,675) in the UK.

Only 200 examples of the recently announced Fiat 500 BlackJack limited edition are in the... cards for the UK market. The matt black mini goes on sale next week and as with previous special edition 500s, the BlackJack will initially be available for order online through Fiat's official UK website.

Aside from the individual paint job, the BlackJack edition also gets 16-inch alloy wheels in matt black with red detailing, a glossy black finish for the exterior accents such as the mouldings, door handles, mirrors and license plate holder, and red brake calipers (only 1.4L model).

This year's edition of the Los Angeles Auto Show will play host to more than 20 world debuts as well as 20 or so North American premieres, organizers of the event revealed on Thursday. "The growing global significance of the LA show is clearly demonstrated by the number and importance of the debuts," said Andy Fuzesi, general manager of the LA Auto Show.

Fiat has announced a new limited edition version of the 500 city car, which will go on sale across Europe (including Britain) in September. Called, appropriately enough, the 500 Blackjack, the special mini is decked out in a matte black finish with glossy black details such as the door handles, exterior mirrors, fog lamp surrounds and bumper trims. The car rides on 16-inch black alloy wheels with a red frame on the center, while some variants also get red brake calipers.

We assume you already know that Fiat is planning to kick off sales of the retro-styled 500 mini in North America at the end of 2010, so let us share the latest news. Fans of the Italian brand here in the States will be treated with the limited-run Fiat 500 'Prima Edizione' (Italian for First Edition), of which only 500 examples will be built.

The crew from Fiat have published some B-roll footage of the 500 hatch and cabriolet models fitted with the Italian firm's new 0.9-liter turbocharged two-cylinder gasoline unit as well as a separate (and somewhat less appealing) video of the engine alone.

The Twinair unit the first of a new family of two-cylinder engines that will be used on numerous A- and B-segment cars of the Fiat Group. This particular version produces 85HP propelling the 500 hatch from zero to 100km/h (62mph) in 11 seconds and returning a combined fuel consumption of 4.1 lt/100km (57.4mpg US) with C02 emissions of just 95g/km. Read more about the new Fiat 500s in our previous post here.

Auto Blitz

SEMA Preshow: 2010 Fiat 500 Tuned by the American Way

Chrysler Auctions First Fiat 500 in Canada for $85,000

Fenice Milano Blings-Out the Fiat 500C to create "La Dolce Vita"

General Motors's Opel to take on Fiat and its 500 with New Mini Car

Paris Show: Abarth 500C Esseesse with 160 Ponies

Fiat 500 Prima Edizione Special Sells Out in the States

Here's the US Version of the Fiat 500, Available for Order Soon

Paris Preshow: Abarth Unveils 160HP 500C "esseesse" and 180HP Punto Evo "essesse"

Ferrari F1 Drivers Alonso and Massa get their own Abarth 695 Tributo

Fiat Launches Japan-Only 500 Arancia Special Edition

Chrysler Group officials talk Fiat with 400 potential dealers

¿Qué? Abarth's 695 Tributo Ferrari Priced from €46,339 / $58,900 in Spain!

Chrysler Moving Forward with Fiat 500 Dealership Planning, Announces 119 Potential Markets in the U.S.

New Fiat 500CbyDIESEL Convertible Hits UK Showrooms

Fiat's Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari Special Available in the UK, Priced at £29,600

New Fiat 500 BlackJack: Just 200 Examples for the UK

2010 Los Angeles Show to Host More Than 20 World Premieres

New Special Edition Fiat 500 Blackjack with Matte Finish

New Fiat 500 Prima Edizione: Special Edition Version for U.S. Market

VIDEO: Fiat 500 & 500C with New Two-Cylinder Turbo Engine

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