Fiat is the Italian automaker that owns Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep. The automotive rumor mill thinks that their 500 is going to come to the U.S. as a Chrysler product.What's they don't know is whether the 500 coming here as a re-badged Chrysler or if Chrysler is just going to sell it in their dealerships.
I'm leaning toward the second option.
Putting a Chrysler badge on this is like putting a Toyota badge on a Mustang. This 500 is a retro design based on the original Fiat 500 built from 1957-1975.
It's an iconic Italian people's car that's like the VW Beetle or the British Mini.Naturally, the new one is just an update of the old design.
It's a good looking compact car, a rare breed in the United States.But, if there's one thing the Italians know besides how to make pasta, it's how to style a car. Even the interior is cool.
While it's mostly plastic, it doesn't look cheap, and the red seats are a great touch.The best 500, though, is the 500 Abarth.
It's the hot version. The base Abarth makes 135hp, which is 35 more than the standard one. It's not quite like putting a bomb in a shoebox, but it's pretty close.The interior's great too.
A manual gearbox in a small, European, hatchback makes overdrive absolutely necessary.
I'll be praying they bring this here. If they leave the Alfa Romeo brand behind most notably the Brera and 159, I'll be buying the 500 as soon as the banks will let me.
ReplyDeleteI agree with that. Either the 159 or Brera would be a great car to own.
ReplyDeleteAlthough, I do like the 500 Abarth. There's just something so cool, and amusing, about a little rounded hot hatch that shoots through corners.