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Highlight: Besides the sporty Mazda Miata MX-5 twin sibling, the 124
Spider, this is Fiat’s other version of a convertible.
Test Vehicle’s MSRP: $20,365 (base model $17,485)
Seating Capacity: 2 (2 infants in the rear)
Standard Safety Features:airbags; ABS; daytime
running headlamps; electronic stability control; a hillstart assist system; a
park sensor; a tire pressure monitoring system; and a tire service kit
The folks from Fiat are hoping to use the star power of Jennifer Lopez to help move the all-new Fiat 500. Its been reported that the Chrysler Group has set a monthly sales target of 6,000 until. However, just last month Fiat barely managed to meet half the goal, delivering 3,106 units. The brand is hoping to have the same lasting effects that the BMW MINI has had over the years. To put these numbers in perspective, the MINI brand sold almost 4,000 units last month in the U.S. And they have a more expansive product line up than Fiat. Let's see if Jenny on the Block can help fire up sales.
In other related Fiat news, the 500 has been named a “Top Safety Pick” for 2011 by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The new Fiat 500 joins eight Chrysler Group models that are Top Safety Picks by the IIHS for 2011. IIHS recognizes vehicles that demonstrate “good” performance in front, side, rollover and rear crash test evaluations performed at its Vehicle Research Center.
Vehicles must also have electronic stability control, a standard feature on all Fiat 500 models.
Detroit, the city once known for great music and manufacturing big cars, has never really rebounded from "the white flight," which occurred after the turbulent sixties - driving whites to the surburbs. Since that time the city has had it share of combat stories, but in reality the city has never really gotten its swagger back.
Over the years Detroit has had a difficult road to travel, dealing with a high crime rate, a failing public education system, an extremely high unemployment rate, an embattled ex-mayor who is entangled in a real-life soap opera and reviving an auto industry that was on the brink of collapse, before the government intervene -- coughing-up billions of dollars of tax papers money to keep the industry afloat.
However, once again, Detroit is showing its promise and using Fiat's latest investment, the Chrysler Group, to revive the ailing city just as GM did for the America's economy, after the horrific event of 9-1-1, which literally crippled the economy. So with that said, do you think Chrysler's latest ad, featuring hometown rapper Eminem, will help to put both Chrysler and Detroit back on track?
Fiat will make its return to the U. S. this March with the all-new 500. The vehicle is expected to achieve 38 miles per gallon on the highway, when equipped with a 5-speed manual transmission. Pricing is expected to start out around $16,000. Like BMW's MINI, the vehicle warranty will mirror theirs, offering a 4-year/50,000 mile bumper-to-bumper warranty.
Fiat 500's interior
BMW's MINI Cooper starts out at around $20,000. The premium-class compact is available in a number of configurations. Will Fiat follow the path of MINI? Only time will tell.
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