Is Fiat going to be sold here? Want an Abarth 500

[shay2nak]

After seeing the Top Gear episode on BBC America featuring Abarth Fiat 500. I want to buy one bad. No rush for me, I have another year left on my current lease.


anyone have any inside info? time is on my side i guess.

thanks


Forgot to mention a few months back as I was driving past Universal Studios, I spotted a white Fiat 500 with manufacturer plates.

[Veruca]

Yes, the last I heard Fiat was coming. Don't know when though. I want one too. In a fit of boredom one night I sat down and researched what it would cost (if I could even do it) to have one brought over but my husband shut me down and laughed at me. It's a sweet little car. Definitely post back up if you hear anything. Have you gone on the U.K. site and built one yet?

[darkSol]

I want one for my daily driver. Seriously!

Gotta be the SS version though.

[Scud8]

Fiats US plans are currently on hold.

[mopho]

I am liking this too

Originally Posted by Motive Mag

The GTA edition of Alfa's adorable Mito has broken cover ahead of Geneva, and we've got to say it is a fantastic little Mini-fighter that we hope makes it over here as part of the Chrysler/Fiat deal. The coolest visual addition has to be the two center exhaust exits in the rear diffuser. They look like those of a VW R32, only bigger and cooler. And the dramatic flaring of the rear fenders--fantastic.

The engine, a 1.8-liter four, gets all sorts of goodies including direct-injection, variable valve timing, and turbocharging. It makes 240 hp, which should be more than adequate for this tiny hot hatch. The GTA, in addition to packing 90 extra horsepower, sits 20 mm lower on an active suspension system.

Link

[LarryB]

Fiat had been looking into coming back to the USA. However they are now planning on teaming up with Chrysler- who will build the Fiats for sale here (not sure under what label they will be sold):

Fiat Chrysler Merger Officially Confirmed - 35% initial stake - worldcarfans

Saw one at a show last year. Will be keeping a eye out for them.

They also have a C version of the 500 coming out next month:

Fiat 500C Revealed - worldcarfans

Details on the models, as they stand at the moment:

Fiat Models Outlined in Chrysler Restructuring Plan - worldcarfans

[BUELL XB12R]

I saw it on Top Gear and fell in love. It looks like a fun car for not much
money. But I am a fan of Fiat my first sports car was a X1/9.

[JWA]

Originally Posted by mopho

I am liking this too

That's what I was going to say. Both look like they would be great additions to the US marketplace.

[milehitom]

That Alfa MiTo GTA is nice!

Yeah, I believe the deal with Chrysler has stalled, son Fiat's U.S. plans are on hold.

Tom

[fitfan]

Originally Posted by mopho

I am liking this too









Link

+1 on the MiTo / GTA !! even more badder'er than the vw scirocco - but i got tired of waiting and picked up a 3 series coupe.....

something tells me that the MiTo was NOT engineered with federal complaince in mind (think i read that somewhere?)... so could be doubtful until the next generation if thats true. if the chrysler fiat thing goes through it could be still 2-3 years before we "get" anything.

[mikester]

I too would love to buy one of those Abarths, but I wouldn't count on it happening anytime soon. Keep in mind that Fiat has been announcing plans to come back to the U.S. for years and years now.

Edit: This reminds me of a quote that I'd heard about hydrogen fuel cell vehicles:

It's the wave of the future, and it always will be.

[LarryB]

Even if everything went smoothly with Chrysler, it was going to be 2012 at the earliest. Around the time I'll be in the market for a new car. Will keep a eye out for them but wouldn't hold my breath, waiting.

[Agent ONE]

Do we even have a final concept picture of the Abarth?

I have seen some line art, but I have seen some line art of Vettes that actually made them look cool.

[wallabyguy]

Chrysler outlined it's partnership with Fiat in the docs given to the Feds last week. Time frame for US sales is still 3 years off at the earliest. This represents yet another 2 year delay over what Alfa announced last year. At that point, Alfa was going to be sold through the Maserati network plus a few additional stores to plug holes. I think that would be a better fit as I can se the Chrysler dealer network botching this. They have enough of a hard time understanding their own cars let alone a bunch of lower margin, european vehicles. I can just see Merkur all over again.

It's really too bad as the new Fiat and Alfas are wonderful. I'd love a Mito GTA.

[JWA]

Originally Posted by Agent ONE

Do we even have a final concept picture of the Abarth?

I have seen some line art, but I have seen some line art of Vettes that actually made them look cool.

Unless I'm missing something it has been out for a while now. Top Gear tested an Abarth SS version during last season.

[Wimbledon]

Originally Posted by fitfan

something tells me that the MiTo was NOT engineered with federal complaince in mind (think i read that somewhere?)... so could be doubtful until the next generation if thats true. if the chrysler fiat thing goes through it could be still 2-3 years before we "get" anything.

Strangely, the MiTo was actually designed with U.S. federal compliance in mind. When the MiTo was first introduced, there was an official video that went around that mentioned how certain braces were added so the MiTo would also meet U.S. requirements. It was discussed as a strange thing to mention at the time, but now it may have some relevance.

Either way, don't expect to see Fiat vehicles until 2010 at the earliest. 2010 is the earliest the media are reporting and that's the timeline Chrysler mentioned in their viability plan submitted to the feds.

Also, as much as I would like to see the Abarth line and GTA variants, I'm sure those will come even later if at all.

I'd love an Abarth 500 SS or MiTo GTA myself though.

[fitfan]

Spy Shots: Next Alfa Romeo Milano spotted - Autoblog

[dma550]

Originally Posted by fitfan

+1 on the MiTo / GTA !! even more badder'er than the vw scirocco - but i got tired of waiting and picked up a 3 series coupe.....

something tells me that the MiTo was NOT engineered with federal complaince in mind (think i read that somewhere?)... so could be doubtful until the next generation if thats true. if the chrysler fiat thing goes through it could be still 2-3 years before we "get" anything.

This will be my next DD if they sell it here.

[Exigent]

Me too on the MiTo.

[shay2nak]

The GTA is not bad, especially the rear, but I like the compactness of the Abarth 500.

Originally Posted by Veruca

Yes, the last I heard Fiat was coming. Don't know when though. I want one too. In a fit of boredom one night I sat down and researched what it would cost (if I could even do it) to have one brought over but my husband shut me down and laughed at me. It's a sweet little car. Definitely post back up if you hear anything. Have you gone on the U.K. site and built one yet?

I did go to the website, but I had connection problems so I didn't get very far. It would be pointless to try to get one here without Fiat support for service & parts.