- Filed under: Motorsports, Earnings/Financials, Ferrari, FIAT
Many of the biggest teams in Formula One extract enormous budgets from the automakers that own them: BMW, Renault, Toyota, Honda, even Mercedes-Benz, which is part owner of McLaren. Not Ferrari, though. The team, part of the Maranello-based sportscar maker, is owned by the Fiat auto group. However, Fiat does not contribute even one centesimo (er... euro-cent) to the team's budget.
This according to Luca Cordero di Montezemolo. And he should know, being both president of Ferrari and chairman of Fiat (in the mid-'70s, Montezemolo directly headed up the Scuderia before being promoted up the Fiat ladder). The marquis insists that the entirety of the Ferrari F1 team's budget is generated from within Ferrari, through the sales of its road cars (all of which go for six digits) and the team's sponsors, to say nothing of the company's considerable merchandising efforts.
[Source: The Daily Telegraph via F1-Live, Photo by GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP/Getty]
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- Filed under: Economy, Euro, FIAT, Rendered Speculation
We see a lot of rendered speculation on upcoming models, but they're seldom penned by renowned designers. However as Fiat prepares to revive the classic Topolino, Italian magazine Ruoteclassiche commissioned designer Paolo Martin - former of Bertone, Pininfarina and Ghia - to render his interpretation of how the tiny retro runabout could (or should) look.
Martin says he strove to "maintain the original spirit" of the Topolino, "with similar proportions, protruding front end and fenders, a nearly-identical grille, circular headlamps, short rear overhang and spare tire covered and integrated in the rear tailgate." The Topolino will be built at Fiat's newly-acquired Zastava plant in Serbia as a budget city-car, positioned below the 500, and despite Panda/500 underpinnings could get a rear-engine layout for the 0.9-liter two cylinder engine with DSG and start-stop technology.
[Source: Car Body Design]
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- Filed under: Convertibles, Sports/GTs, Alfa Romeo, FIAT
Any day in which we bring you news of a new Italian sports car is a good day by any account. Today we bring you news of three new sports cars under development under the Fiat group umbrella, which we needn't point out controls most of the Italian automotive industry, including Fiat, Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Lancia, Maserati and Ferrari.
First up to bat is the unique sports car which, as we reported back in March, Fiat is developing for its recently revived Abarth performance brand. Reports now suggest that the Abarth roadster would take an Elise-style approach, and could even borrow underpinnings from Lotus. Power could come from the turbo four in the Punto and 500 Abarth, mounted amidships, but unburdened by a lightweight two-seater chassis.
While we wait for more news on that front, there are parallel reports of a new Lancia coupe-cabrio on the horizon. (This in addition to the rumored Aurelia flagship, anticipated for unveiling in Geneva next March.) Previewed by the Fulvia concept from Frankfurt 2003 (pictured above), the Lancia convertible could also spawn an Alfa Romeo variant. The stage is set, and we'll be keeping a sharp eye out for more news as it emerges.
[Source: 4Car]
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- Filed under: Minivans/MPVs, China, Government/Legal, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, FIAT, Celebrities
According to Olivier Francois, Chief Executive Officer of Lancia, Richard Gere was chosen for a recent ad for the Lancia Delta because he "is not merely a fine actor; not merely one of the most famous men in the world. He is a man with a great difference: the ability to combine talent, fame and style with great character. I'm talking about his commitment to peace." That affinity for peace stretches especially towards the people of Tibet, a people who's autonomy from China Gere supports.
This commercial, which you can watch after the break, features Gere driving a new Lancia Delta from Hollywood to Tibet in just 30 seconds and aired in Italy. After reports of the commercial appeared in Chinese newspapers, China was apparently none too happy about it. Fiat has decided to apologize, with a company spokesman saying, "Fiat Group extends its apologies to the Government of the People's Republic of China and to the Chinese people."
Our opinion? Gere's alright in Pretty Woman, but not much else after that. Apologies are usually pretty lame, but we'd appreciate one for Gere's horrible singing in Chicago as long as they are being handed out so freely. And how 'bout one for that Lancia's front end?
[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]Continue reading Fiat apologizes to China for Richard Gere commercial
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- Filed under: Concept Cars, Time Warp, Coupes, Euro, Paris Motor Show, Alfa Romeo, FIAT
The 2003 Lancia Fulvia Coupe concept that tantalized showgoers at the Frankfurt Motor Show with its crisp lines that strongly evoked its namesake predecessor was presumed dead after Fiat canned the idea due to financial woes and want of a modern platform. It seems that plans for a new coupe carrying the Lancia badge is resurgent inside Fiat, though the clearly retro styling of the 2003 concept will likely fall by the wayside instead of getting mired in a retro rut.
It's rumored that we'll see a Fulvia riding atop the MiTo's chassis at this year's Paris Motor Show. Rather than relying on the work of 40 years past, the new Fulvia will share nothing but a name with its predecessor. The car may follow the current trend of other Euro coupes and incorporate a folding hardtop, but there are conflicting reports that it may also be a conventional fixed-head-coupe. We certainly wouldn't complain about giving the MiTo an appropriate coupe roofline, so please send some our way.
[Source: Autocar, Photos: ultimatecarpage]
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- Filed under: Hatchbacks, FIAT
Click to view the Fiat Punto Turbo in our gallery
The European market is replete with sporty Fiats we can't get over here, but the latest doesn't even come from Italy. Fiat Automóveis is the automaker's Brazilian subsidiary, and builds its own vehicles domestically, including some exclusive homegrown models. The South American division is now in the midst of presenting its latest sport model, the Fiat Punto Turbo.
Essentially what we're looking at is the Punto Abarth, only it's not called an Abarth. This model will carry the Fiat badge and differ from its Scorpion marque counterpart in one more significant way. Give up? Try counting the doors. While the Abarth version is available only in the three-door version, the Brazilian turbo model will come exclusively with five doors. The Portuguese-speaking hot hatch will carry the 155hp T-Jet from the Abarth, along with a tightened suspension, 17-inch wheels and upgraded brakes, along with all manner of aero and trim upgrades inside and out. Although the specific launch date and sticker price have not yet been revealed, Fiat Automóveis' Punto Turbo is anticipated to hit the market in Brazil and Argentina before the end of the year. Check out the images in the gallery below to see all the angles.
[Source: Italiaspeed]
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- Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Chrysler, LLC., Alfa Romeo, FIAT
It was only in December that we mention Alfa Romeo was planning to open a factory in the United States. We followed that story with another in March when Fiat also mentioned a possibility of Iveco truck production coming to the States. It was in that same month that Fiat Chief Executive Sergio Marchionne told the Financial Times that his company was in talks with major U.S. automakers about sharing production. On Saturday, Alfa Romeo brand chief Luca de Meo told a German magazine that talks were under way with Chrysler. With Chrysler cutting domestic production, a move like this by Fiat would help both companies. The Italian carmaker, withdrawn from the U.S. market since 1995, would avoid the effects of the strong Euro on exports, and Chrysler would be able to ramp production back up on an idled plant.
[Source: Reuters]
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- Filed under: Economy, FIAT, Rendered Speculation
Earlier this month we brought you news of Fiat's acquisition of Zastava and the Italian automaker's plans to use the retooled Serbian plant to produce a new city car reviving the old Topolino nameplate. Auto Express has brought its resources to bear and cooked up a pair of renderings of what form it thinks the new micro-car could take.
Looking something like a cross between a 500 and a new Renault Twingo, the Topolino rendering suggests a melding of the 500's retro touches with more modern lines. Although the car is expected to be based on the Panda platform, Auto Express suggests the Topolino will have a rear-engine/rear-drive layout, along the lines of the Smart ForTwo, Volkswagen up! and Toyota iQ, three models which the little Fiat would go up against in the marketplace. Innovative seating is tipped to help maximize its compact interior dimensions. Fiat has a wide array of compact engines that could appear in the Topolino, including the upcoming 0.9-liter two-cylinder gasoline engine previewed by the Panda Aria concept. With a DSG and start-stop system, the Topolino would help Fiat lower its range-wide carbon footprint.
[Source: Auto Express]
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- Filed under: Government/Legal, Plants/Manufacturing, Alfa Romeo, FIAT
With Fiat preparing to bring some of its products to the American market, local government leaders have been hard at work courting CEO Sergio Marchionne to produce vehicles in their state or province. Marchionne declared in March that with the weak American dollar, his company would have to strongly consider local production for sales in North America.
Among those politicians who have reached out to Fiat, congressional representatives from the states of Kentucky and Georgia have met with executives from the Italian auto giant to discuss the possibility of opening plants in their districts. However the premier of Ontario seemed to take it one step further by flying to Italy to meet with Marchionne, who himself was raised in the same Canadian province. After General Motors announced the closure of two plants in the past couple of months, Ontario is keen to find tenants for the abandoned facilities. Marchionne, meanwhile, has expressed interest in producing in Mexico, allowing Fiat to extend its operations in Latin America northward to support its foray into the North American market.
As for distribution, while Fiat already networks established for its Case New Holland agricultural equipment division, as well as for its top-end brands Ferrari and Maserati. However Fiat is likely to set up separate distribution channels for Alfa Romeo and, if and when the day comes, the Fiat 500.
[Sources: Reuters and the Toronto Star via Italiaspeed]
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- Filed under: Aftermarket, Tuners, Euro, Hatchbacks, FIAT
Click to view the Grande Punto Abarth SS at Frankfurt '07
Fiat's tuning workshop Abarth has released details for two new performance kits for the Grande Punto Abarth: the Assetto and esseesse (read: SS, for Super Sport) kits.
Starting with the standard 155-horsepower 1.4-liter turbocharged Grande Punto Abarth, both kits can be ordered after the fact and installed by specialized Abarth centers being established in markets around the world. The Assetto package includes an upgraded brake kit with cross-drilled discs front and rear and beefier brake pads, plus high-performance coil springs that drop the suspension an additional 15+ mm and special 18" white alloys with 215/40-ZR18 Pirelli PZero rubber. Customers who opt for the esseesse kit also get a bigger Garrett turbocharger, a BMC Carbon Dynamic induction kit, twin exhaust with chrome-tipped tail pipes, and a remapped ECU, boosting power up to 180 hp.
The kits are hitting the market in Italy this weekend for €2,500 and €4,500 respectively, and coincide with a concerted new Abarth marketing campaign and the opening of the Abarth performance driving school.
[Source: Italiaspeed]
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- Filed under: Economy, FIAT
Fiat hasn't ruled out the possibility of launching a new low-cost brand, according to the latest reports. The new brand - which could, like Abarth, revive one of the many dormant auto marques under the Fiat auto umbrella - would target arch-rival Renault's Dacia subsidiary in offering consumers (primarily in developing markets) cost-effective modes of transportation, in line with the Tata Nano. Those in the know will point out that Tata and Fiat have close ties, and the Indian automaker could be called to contribute to the project.
Although Fiat recently acquired Zastava, reports indicate that the Serbian plant will be used for the upcoming Fiat Topolino and not for any new lost-cost vehicle. The latter could, instead, be built by Fiat's subsidiary in Brazil, where the Italian automaker already produces vehicles and enjoys a strong market share. Sources suggest the new vehicle, code-named Project 327, could go on sale in Europe as early as 2011 with a €6000 sticker price.
[Source: Automotive News Europe (sub. req'd) and Reuters]
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- Filed under: Convertibles, Euro, FIAT
Fiat has confirmed it will be producing a convertible version of the 500 and although a launch date has yet to be announced, Fiat brand styling director Roberto Giolito revealed that the model is on its way... at some point.
Giolito also announced that the 500 cabrio will feature a fabric roof, and not a retractable hard-top, citing improvements in materials that remove many of the drawbacks associated with cloth roofs. The entire Fiat group does not include any hard-top convertibles, although several have been reported to be in the works, including the upcoming Ferrari California. However, the more expensive MINI convertible, which the 500 cabrio will invariably target in the marketplace, also uses a fabric top.
[Source: just-auto.com - sub. req'd]
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- Filed under: Motorsports, Euro, Hatchbacks, FIAT
Click above for high-res gallery of the Fiat 500 Abarth Asetto Corse
Fiat is in attendance this week at the famous Mille Miglia in Brescia, Italy and it brought with it a whopper of a small car to impress the crowd. On hand is the Fiat 500 Abarth Asetto Corse, a full race version of the little iconic car that sports a screaming 200-hp turbocharged 1.4L four-cylinder that also produces 220 pound-feet of torque. Power is routed through a six-speed gearbox on its way to a set of 17-inch track white ultralight racing wheels that totally look the part. Make no mistake, this is a real race car and a special one-make championship series is being planned that will put it on the most famous race tracks across Europe next year. Only 50 will be made, however, so entry is exclusive.
While we don't know the price yet, your bag of Euros will get you a 500 that's kitted out with an aerodynamic package that adds a front spoiler, big rear wing, fender flares at all four corners and two new hood-mounted air intakes to feed the turbo. The interior has been stripped to save weight, which now stands at just 2,050 lbs., and a racing roll bar has been installed to protect the driver who now sits closer to the center of the car to improve weight distribution and driving feel. The Asetto Corse gets big Abarth badges all around and a pastel grey with red striping livery. The one on hand at the Mille Miglia is No. 00/49 and a pre-production prototype, so there are still plenty left for those who've always wanted a 500 race car.
[Source: World Car Fans, Italiaspeed]Continue reading Fiat 500 Abarth Asetto Corse revealed at Mille Miglia
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- Filed under: Aftermarket, Tuners, Euro, Hatchbacks, FIAT
Click above image for a gallery of the Novitec Fiat 500
Fiat's retrolicious 500 is designed to transport people with panache, if not punch. Novitec's specialty is both bringing the punchbowl to the party and then spiking it. Sure, the tuner tweaks the likes of Alfa and Ferrari, but the everyman isn't left out either, as evidenced by the new collection of mods it's now made available for the Fiat 500.
500 drivers can add a subtle front chin spoiler, new wheels and tires, and suspension updates to improve the car's already appealing looks. On the performance side, Novitec has come up with an exhaust upgrade and a pair of power packages. The 1.3L Multijet turbodiesel gets bumped from the stock 70 horses to a stouter 83, and the 1.4L gasoline engine gets an even more substantial boost. In standard form, it makes 100 horsepower and 96 lb-ft of torque. With Novitec's supercharger, it jumps to 131 horses at 5,200 rpm and 126 lb-ft of torque at 6,200 rpm.
Yes, these numbers are topped by the upcoming 500 Abarth (quite dramatically, in fact -- the Abarth makes 155 lb-ft at 3,000 rpm), and the factory hot hatch probably makes more sense for new shoppers looking to combine the 500's looks with better power the moment they drive away from the showroom. with the Novitec mods, however, early adopters who grabbed the huggable little hatchback as soon as it arrived now have some power options of their own, too.
[Source: Novitec]
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- Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Hatchbacks, FIAT
Since its debut last year, the new FIAT 500 has been one of the most talked about small cars in Europe. Now people in Berlin can share their thoughts on the 500 with th everyone in the immediate vicinity. A pair of billboards installed near the former Checkpoint Charlie reflect the words of passers-by. Along with videos and other messages, the 3,100-square foot boards also invite viewers to send a text message to a special number. The messages then scroll across a 65-foot wide ticker on each board. Presumably the messages are moderated in some way (either human or automated) before they appear on the boards, otherwise this PR stunt could get very interesting.
[Source: Fiat]Continue reading Fiat 500 billboard in Berlin talks back
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Archive for the 'FIAT' Category
Saturday, March 31st, 2007
Geneva 2007: The legendary Abarth “Scorpion” returns
A great project will be launched at the 77th Geneva International Motor Show: the rebirth of one of the most prestigious brands in world motorsports. Its symbol is a scorpion, and its name is Abarth.
Abarth has always been synonymous with assertive cars, competitiveness, passion and excitement, and it now returns with a new range that will appeal to all lovers of motorsports. Abarth’s first interpretation of the Grande Punto will be on the “catwalk” at the Geneva Show, the first step in an initiative which will later involve other models.
This new adventure starts in the familiar, uniquely emotional context and exclusive setting of the Geneva Motor Show. A striking stand has been prepared, in line with the philosophy of Abarth’s rebirth, an innovative space with a fresh, contemporary, technological language and great attention to every detail. The new elements that will publicise the Abarth brand are displayed with all their strong, original personality: the revamped version of the famous Abarth racing stripe has been rendered with LED tiles, while the new logo, the scorpion and the wording are all large, three-dimensional elements in polished, satin-effect aluminium.
The Abarth values and tradition on the other hand are underlined discreetly and technologically: refined materials and precious finishing details in aluminium, carbon fibre, enamel and lacquer decorate the exhibition area, and draw attention to the true stars of the stand: the Grande Punto Abarth S2000, a car that has been type-approved for racing and is proving to be highly successful, and the Grande Punto Abarth Preview, a concept car making its world debut.
These are the two souls of the Abarth world: racing and standard production.
Visitors to the Geneva Show will also have an opportunity to discover a third field in which the brand operates; a multimedia configurator will illustrate the whole concept of the ‘Abarth Kit’, and the flexibility and wide range of combinations that the brand will offer customers in its conversion kits. Some of these solid wooden boxes, inlaid with satin-finished aluminium trims, are on display inside glass cubes, with the historic mechanical and stylistic components from the conversion kits.
And finally, by means of exclusive LED technology and plasma screens, the walls of the stand propose historical photographs and films, alternating them with a reproduction of the new Abarth racing stripe, underlining the fine link between the past and the future, as well as the energy and personality that are inherent in the Abarth brand.
The Grande Punto Abarth Preview
The absolute star of the stand is the Grande Punto Abarth Preview, a true jewel of assertiveness and elegance. The car will be marketed in September, to enhance the sporty, youthful positioning of the Grande Punto.
The car on show in Geneva is equipped with a 1.4 Turbo petrol engine that delivers 150 bhp at 5500 rpm, boosted to 155 bhp by the adoption of 98 RON petrol. What is more, thanks to a booster kit, a version with twice as much power as the basic version (180 bhp) will soon be available. This is a revival of a tradition from the past: for example, the Fiat 500 of 1958 delivered 13 bhp at 4000 rpm with a top speed of 85 km/h, while the Fiat 500 Abarth of the same year delivered 26 bhp at 5000 rpm and a top speed of 118 km/h.
The Grande Punto Abarth aims to revive the feats of these entertaining performance cars, offering young drivers in particular an opportunity to enter the racing world in complete safety and at an accessible price.
The Grande Punto Abarth S2000
The public in Geneva will also be able to admire the extraordinary Grande Punto Abarth S2000. This is a racing car designed for racing stables, which the Fiat Racing Department will be entering in the 2007 Italian Rally Championship with Giandomenico Basso and his navigator Mitia Dotta. Davide Gatti, winner of the 2006 Fiat Abarth International Trophy, will compete at the wheel of an official Fiat Grande Punto R3D with a diesel engine. On the international scene, the Grande Punto Abarth S2000 will compete in the IRC (Intercontinental Rally Challenge) with drivers Andrea Navarra, his navigator Guido D’Amore, and young Umberto Scandola and Anton Alen.
The Abarth & C. Spa racing team will be managed by Claudio Berro.
Powered by a 2000 cc aspirated engine that delivers 270 bhp, with 4-wheel drive, the new Grande Punto Abarth S2000 is heir to the version that took the 2006 Italian Rally Championship title with Paolo Andreucci and Anna Andreussi, winning 7 of the 11 races on the programme. Nor must we forget the excellent season of their team-mates Andrea Navarra and Guido D’Amore who took third place. Giandomenico Basso and Mitia Dotta won the European title and the International Rally Challenge.
Since its debut last season, the racing version has proved unbeatable, whatever the type of route or terrain. And we must underline that the 15 cars built so far have been ordered by several racing stables in Europe and elsewhere, to compete in domestic and international rallies. And now, thanks to this technological and competitive superiority, the new Grande Punto Abarth S2000 is ready to compete in these two championships with the same determination and assertiveness.
And finally, as well as a successful car and an outstanding team of drivers, the new Abarth & C. company can also boast a staff with a great deal of experience in motorsports: a total of 113 experts, 26 in the engineering field, 43 on the manufacturing side and 9 dedicated to racing.
Posted in World Cars, Passenger Cars, Tuning Cars, Automotive News, FIAT | No Comments »
Wednesday, August 3rd, 2005
Details info: Alternative names:
Fiat Siena (Nanya - People\’s Republic of China)
Fiat Petra (Fiat - Egypt)
Sales Company:
Available version:
1.2 16v Speedgear
1.2 16v
1.5
1.6 16v
Previous version:
Variation:
Fiat Albea Limousine 4d
Assembly Plants:
Fiat (Egypt)
Fiat (India)
Fiat (Turkey)
Nanya (People\’s Republic of China)
Info: A Siena with some modifications.
Donors:
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Wednesday, August 3rd, 2005
Details info: Alternative names:
Fiat Barchetta Roadster 2d
Sales Company:
Available version:
1.8 16v
Previous version:
Variation:
Holzer (Germany) Fiat Barchetta tuning
Roadster 2d
Assembly Plants:
Info: Named after a “small boat”, the Barchetta is a stylish and accomplished sports car in the mould of a Mazda MX5, BMW Z3 or MG TF. It is not produced in right-hand-drive form for the UK market.
Update 03.2003.
Donors:
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Tuesday, August 2nd, 2005
Details info: Alternative names:
Fiat Idea MPV
Sales Company:
Available version:
1.2 16v
1.3 Multijet 16v
1.4 16v
1.9 Multijet
Previous version:
Variation:
Fiat Idea MPV
Lancia (Italy) Musa
Assembly Plants:
Donors:
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Tuesday, August 2nd, 2005
Details info: Alternative names:
Fiat Multipla MPV
Sales Company:
Available version:
1.6 16v Blupower
1.6 16v
1.9 JTD
Previous version:
Variation:
Fiat Multipla MPV
(2004 - )
Assembly Plants:
Info: Revised Multipla featuring less shocking styling.
Donors:
Posted in FIAT | No Comments »
