2008 Geneva Auto Show Preview: Fiat 500 Abarth



Finally there are images of the long awaited Fiat 500 Abarth up on the Net. The little buzz-bomb will debut at the Geneva Auto Show. No word yet on the mechanicals, but rest assured, they will full-bore spicy and very Italian. The hot rumor is to look for a 1.4L turbo, with possibly up to 150 hp.

Full story here.

Posted by Bob Feb 18, 2008 5:00 am

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Categories: Fiat | Geneva Motor Show | All Auto Shows


Comments

firstwagon - Feb 18, 2008 9:25 am (#1 Total: 6)  

 
 
The 500 is getting great reviews so far. Hopefully Fiat will use it to spearhead a return to north America.

estreka - Feb 18, 2008 12:08 pm (#2 Total: 6)  

 
subarctic north - Great Falls, MT  
I highly doubt a US return. The only related dealerships in the US are Ferrari and Maserati. I doubt anyone is going to either dealership and see this and think, "You know, I was going to buy a Quattroporte, but that 500 is so sexy!"
 
Mini was a different story because the product was within, say, $10,000 of the BMW lineup.

firstwagon - Feb 18, 2008 1:19 pm (#3 Total: 6)  

 
 
It would be tough to get the infrastructure in place unless Fiat plans to bring a full model line up.
 
How about partnering with another company?
 
Chrysler needs a small car. Maybe they could make a deal to sell it through Dodge dealerships.

carboy28 - Feb 18, 2008 2:26 pm (#4 Total: 6)  

 
 
Put the Chrysler wings on the front and make it the replacement for the PT Cruiser.

ateixeira - Feb 19, 2008 8:42 am (#5 Total: 6)  

 
Recife, PE, Brazil  
The grass is always greener on the other side, but this is a case where I think they're better off leaving that car in Europe.
 
The Mini is sportier and has a more boxy and practical shape.
 
The 500 would not have that sporty reputation here in the US, nor is it as practical. And I doubt it could compete one class down in cost/pricing with the Fit, which is also more practical.
 
Americans will nickname it "The Egg" and I predict it would fail miserably.

jederino - Feb 22, 2008 5:10 pm (#6 Total: 6)  

 
 
What does the cute meter read on this one? Cuter than a bug, but less than a mini? For a hatch, I could live with the GTI - the backseats are enormous! Yet, the GTI probably weighs 1,500 lbs more than this, which may explain the roominess. I just could not get a car with useless backseat/storage like the Mini. I want a compact and energetic car, but my stable fits only two, so they gotta be practical.






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