Fiat 500: Coming soon to a Chrysler dealer near you

The diminutive Fiat 500, a hip, retro, well-received subcompact car in Europe and one often compared in character and style to the Mini Cooper, will be the first of the Italian automaker’s modern offerings to reach the United States. In the wake of Fiat’s becoming a 20 percent owner of the newly reorganized Chrysler, company officials have said to expect the 500 in about 18 months, allowing time for federal emissions and safety certification.

Like the Mini, the 500 is an updated incarnation of an iconic original, but with modern safety and emissions equipment and more of the conveniences buyers expect these days. It borrows retro styling cues from the original, although both have grown considerably since their namesakes made their debuts in the late 1950s. Like the Mini, the 500 offers seating for four, although it is even more compact. Overall length is about seven inches shorter, and it weighs roughly 2200 pounds in European trim--about 500 pounds less than the Mini.

However, unlike the Mini, the 500 is offered only as a two-door hatchback, although a convertible top version was announced earlier this year. And unlike the original 500, the new one has a front engine and front-wheel drive.

The original 500, referred to as the Cinquecento in Italian got its name from the size of its engine, an air-cooled two-cylinder displacing just 479 cubic centimeters, which was fairly common among other cheap urban European runabouts of half a century ago. To put that in perspective, some scooters have engines this size.

While several engines including both diesel and gasoline variants are offered for the 500 in other markets, it is too soon to know what to anticipate for the American market. But it is reasonable to expect a four-cylinder powerplant with sufficient power to merge onto and cruise along our interstate highways.

As far as style is concerned, the 500 is offered elsewhere in twelve different exterior colors, including pastel, metallic, and pearl finishes according to the Fiat Web site. Checkerboard paint schemes are also available, and the interior accommodates four passengers on a variety of seating fabrics and leather. 

Perhaps in effort to one-up the Volkswagen New Beetle’s built-in flower vase, or maybe just to freshen the air for a quartet of closely cozied up passengers, the 500 sports a fragrance dispenser.

We look forward to buying and testing a 500, and other new offerings of the new Chrysler Group, as soon as they become available.

Read: "Chrysler and Fiat reliability – Merger of equals?"

—Jim Travers

Comments

[Greg]

I remember that DaimlerChrysler said in January 2003 that the first-generation Smart would make it to the U.S. before the end of 2004. It didn't happen.

[JIMI]

Fiat/Chrysler executives are making a huge mistake in thinking this car will sell well in the U.S. The Grande Punto is much better looking and more compatible with existing preferences.

[Geoff]

@JIMI

Ya just like how BMW and Daimler made a HUGE mistake in thinking the Mini and Smart would sell well right? Bunch of morons they are!

Oh wait...

[emo]

""Ya just like how BMW and Daimler made a HUGE mistake in thinking the Mini and Smart would sell well right? Bunch of morons they are!

Oh wait...""

Are you saying you think a Govt/UAW owned company will produce a car with as good quality, resale value and service as BMW?

To compare a joke like Fiat who cant even sell cars outside Italy, to an icon like the BMW Mini is absurd. But enjoy driving your govt owned mini car, just dont get in my way.

[Chris]

The Fiat 500 is pretty much ready to go, so it should be here at the end of next year. Fiat has cut its internal bureaucracy and has been able to bring new cars to market in just 18 months. They plan on reorganizing Chrysler so they can do the same, so with any luck, soon we'll see some interesting new cars coming our way. And remember, the new Chysler's are not going to be re-badged Fiats but American cars designed by Americans using some chassis and engines/transmissions from Fiat.

As far as the person who mentioned Fiat is a joke compared to the BMW Mini. Why is BMW actively pursuing Fiat for help in designing their new small BMW? Maybe they didn't get your memo;)

[robert]

I have replaced my company's 7 minis with fiat 500s (in the UK), they are far superior.I used minis when they first came out until now. The ford KA is built by fiat and is just a rebodied 500 and bmw have asked for help with their new car (mini).Do some research before trashing a car!!I believe fiat's financial position is better than most.I am also 6ft 4inches tall and fit far easier in the fiat.The Fiat 500 is highly rated by everybody with even a little knowledge of the car industry.enough said

[Steve]

With the decline in the U.S. economy, hopefully , Fiat will bring a 50 + mpg version of this car to the U.S. market. The notion that a car like this won't sell in the U.S. is falling as fast as the U.S. standard of living. I think that when the U.S. public is faced with the choices of either walking or owning a Fiat 500, they'll choose the latter.

[Jon]

Having just returned from a trip to Germany, Belgium and France all in a Fiat 500, I can now say that I would put money down on one at Chrysler now if I could. It would be best if the existing versions were brought here as the 1.2 lt one that I drove was safely capable of cruising all day at over 100mph with 3 people aboard. The acceleration was perfectly adequate for merging with faster traffic on the autobahns. My own preference would be for the convertible with the Multijet diesel engine so I can continue to use Waste Vegtable Oil rather than a non renewable resource.
Let's hope Chrysler has the courage to go through with this and that the American public are big enough to accept that something from outside of the US are good and worth adopting.

[Walter]

To the BMW lover. Do your homework. When the Mini was re-introduced to the world. It was powered by a Chrysler design engine built in Brazil. All you need to improve american quality it seems is to rebadge it with BMW.

[marroquino]

Why do you people always have to fifth, must we really to destroy everithing that's good just because we are jealous for some attention given?

Fiat is betting and concentrating efforts in small cars right with big tech and some Italian flair.

The 500 made history in this 2 years, it's the first time FIAT seels more outside it's home market.Last year FIAT was number one (with Grande Punto/Bravo and Panda) in Italy and some other countries and this without the proteccionism law in Italy,meanning full foreign competition.

Give this guys and yourselfs a favour, enjoy life with some dolce vita.

[John]

On Wednesday evening of July 22nd, 2009, I was in Massapequa, NY (The south shore of Long Island) and I spotted a 2009/2010 white Fiat 500. I immediately pulled over and parked in the nearest space. I then ran to the car and looked at the license plate......it was white and blue and it said "Michigan" on top & "Manufacturer" on the bottom. It also had a black decal on the lower right side of the hatchback, below the glass that depicted a car driving thru a city & it said "New York" above the decal. I then asked the guys sitting at a table on the sidewalk, "Who is driving this car?" They pointed to the lady coming out of the local store. I asked her is this your car and she said "yes". I said where did you get it and she said she is a manufacturer's rep for Fiat. She also told me that there are currently only 5 of these Fiat 500s in the entire USA and they are on a public relations tour. I said when is the intro date & she said it will be available for sale during the 2011 model year at local Chrysler dealers that will sell Fiat/Alfa Romeos. This model had a 6 speed manual & a glass moonroof.

[Joe]

I can't wait for this Fiat to get here I'm going to be the first buyer. I love this car. I thnk its much better than the mini cooper or volkswagon.

[Ken]

PINTO 2 I'm afraid.

[Ruskin]

I haven't driven this car, but I fell in love with the looks of it on a trip to Italy last summer. Two years earlier, I rented a Polo (in the US Rabbit/Golf) Diesel, and fell in love with it. The VW Golf TDI is finally coming, if it's not here already (I haven't checked). But I think the 500 is an adorable vehicle. A year ago, there was no hope of ever buying one in the US, I was told when I emailed FIAT. But now, with the Chrysler merger, there is. Of course, the American safety equipment, bumpers, and airbags, will make it bulkier, but hopefully not too much. For me, the Mini no longer is all that mini, and the VW Jetta now looks downright massive. Since I couldn't have a real 500 a year ago, I bought a 1:18 scale model in a toy shop, and was just admiring it.

[Anthony Watkins]

Sure wish it was available next year, i dont think my 2003 elantra can hold out until 2011, but i really have no interest in buying any car except the 500!!!!!

i guess i will get to know my mechanic better over the next two years....

by the way, the elantra has been a great car, 180,000 miles and the only real problem has been the A/C which tends to go out on all cars in about 5 yrs or less....

[Dave]

I drove one of these on our honeymoon in Italy, it was awesome. Apart from the fact that not even one suitcase could fit in the trunk, the car was very roomy inside and fun to drive. I drove it all through Rome and then on the Autostrada down to Pompeii and back, and then out to the airport the next day, two of us and all our luggage didn't seem to affect acceleration, and it wasn't expensive to fill up the tank, (which was gas) even with Euro gas prices.

We also had a FIAT Panda, and my wife loved that, but I would definitly buy the Cinquecento first. I just hope they brand it as a FIAT and not some other brand as I've heard rumoured on the net.

[bill]

Fiat is a laughing joke around the world. Chrysler and fiat are both losers who will fail. If the mighty Diamler could not help chryler and you think the loser Fix It Again Tony will? Give your stupid heads a shake.

[bill]

Alos I am part of the nationwide BOYCOTT of chrysler.

[Zoran]

I can hardly wait to put my money down for a diesel convertible cinquecento! There is many of us who will buy this car for nostalgic as well as dollar and technology sense in this country. If you have gone on your first date in the old 500, what does this stylish, cool and capable car mean to you now that you are in your 40's or 50's?! :)

[Helen]

I think if the economy doesn't pick up then there may be potential for this little car. In my opinion, the reason the Smart didn't do so well is because it didn't have much aesthetically to offer and it didn't seem like the safest car to be traveling in. The Mini however, ran with the make it your own ideology and still managed not to make it seem second rate in terms of safety.

[Vic N]

I agree, worth testing!
Perhaps my next purchase.

[Robert Del Monaco]

I will buy the first Fiat 500 to reach Tallahassee Florida when they arrive!!! Finally, Chrysler will have a car to compete with the competition in the $10,000 price range with 55m.p.g. Certain this well made 50 year manufacturing run will be a big hit in the U.S. market. Put my name on one!

[Monique]

First saw the Fiat 500 on Top Gear and it was love at first sight. Can't wait 'til they hit Maryland

[Jimbo]

Bang!Bang! I'll get mine!

[Dan Mancini]

My last 4 cars were BMW's. No complaints. My first car was a Fiat and had a few Alfa's along the way. There is nothing like driving an Italian car. There will always be a few who don't get it but the 500 will be a hit.

I bet the same people don't taste a difference between olive oil and Mazola! Same group won't understand my post. That's OK, just more for us.

Go-FIAT!