The new Chrysler 500

[big swede]

http://www.autoblog.com/gallery/sema...cy-innovations

[OLDSCHOOLGMFAN]

Shoot, I thought it would be a long wheelbase/factory limo version of the 300!

[Bluemind]

[big swede]

Honestly I do want to see the Abarth version of the 500. Hopefully we will have all the specs soon.

[JBsZ06]

Should only be an abarth version sold here in the United States..

IMO

[PAULSTS1]

The FIAT 500 is awesome, I have seen interior pictures of it. Now that the PT Cruiser will be gone, the 500 could replace it. All that would be required is a convertible as well.

[benroethig]

Originally Posted by JBsZ06

Should only be an abarth version sold here in the United States..

IMO

Probably wouldn't be a bad idea. I think its going to be a situation much like the Golf where your sales primarily to enthusiasts and the performance models actually outsell the base models.

[JBsZ06]

Originally Posted by benroethig

Probably wouldn't be a bad idea. I think its going to be a situation much like the Golf where your sales primarily to enthusiasts and the performance models actually outsell the base models.

If they are trying to create a salon like atmosphere and unit sales will not be large anyway...they might as well try and cater to enthusiasts......first...

it'll be like the new "cool" less expensive 18 grand...mini cooper s

Offer it with a manual and with a dsg...

After the initial launch....after awhile..they can add the more economical..more pedistrian version of the 500...Make it chick chic after the 18 grand abarth 500 gets the cool nod from enthuasists...

then bring in the convertible... etc..

Big tires big tall wheels.....will go a long way towards making this a skateboard a must own..(the wheels can be 4.5 inches wide..for a base model...Just make them 18 or 19 inches in diameter...(its the cool look of today) Gives a substancial (SP) look..well grounded...and the upmarket rims can be wider etc..

Hope they have a dual clutch sequential transmission available..


IMO if fiat brings the 500 in with 12, 13 or 14 inch tires this car will bomb..IMO

[Xenon]

19's on a Fiat 500? Seriously? That's ridiculous!

[web_captain]

Originally Posted by big swede

Honestly I do want to see the Abarth version of the 500. Hopefully we will have all the specs soon.

Just to have an idea of Abarth 500 for Europe
http://www.abarth.it/it/CMSIT/CarsEl...borations.aspx in italian only
in a few words
- regular ==> 135 HP
- regular (with a separate kit) ==> 160 HP
- R3T rally ==> 180 HP
- racing ==> 190 HP

wheels up to 7" x 17"
other main data can be easily seen

For US, I think ABARTH 135 HP at least, 160 HP (as above)

A wider choice of FIAT 500, up to 100 HP (regular, convertible, hybrid plug-in, ...)

[JBsZ06]

17 INCH RIMS IT IS...! From looking at the photos...I couldn't tell what size would be considered large...The main theme is DON"T put little tiny roller skate wheels on this thing..

No one...not even the people who don't care about cars will want a 12 or 13 inch tiny roller skate wheels on the fiat 500.. It will give the 500 a tippy little car look..

[web_captain]

Originally Posted by JBsZ06

17 INCH RIMS IT IS...! From looking at the photos...I couldn't tell what size would be considered large...The main theme is DON"T put little tiny roller skate wheels on this thing..

No one...not even the people who don't care about cars will want a 12 or 13 inch tiny roller skate wheels on the fiat 500.. It will give the 500 a tippy little car look..

for Abart 500 http://www.gpabarth.com/500-Abarth.htm 16"-17" (16" suitable for snow chains)
while for Fiat 500 http://m.fiat500.com/int/configura_5...l=13&cerchi=26 15"-16" (available also 14" as entry level)

[JBsZ06]

Then the 14, 15 and maybe even the 16 inch rims should not make the trip to america! LOL

17's should be standard..

Simple good marketing...IMO

Make the car look planted and well balanced..

the worst thing about the smart car.....(which I drove) is when it hit a NY pothole...the tiny little wheels made it feel as if the entire car fell into the hole! LOL

Hopefully fiat won't make the same mistake..

Of course...this is just a personal opinion about tiny little cars that want to be successful cult machines in the USA...IE.. Mini cooper S

[Bluemind]

I collected the best video on FIAT 500 and FIAT 500 Abarth:

http://www.carsitaly.net/PAGES/multi...els-europe.htm

SALES in OCTOBER in UNITED KINGDOM:

Top ten best sellers
October

1 Fiesta 8,812
2 Astra 7,415
3 Focus 6,668
4 Corsa 6,332
5 Golf 4,630
6 207 4,397
7 Clio 3,613
8 i10 3,230
9 MINI 3,120
10 FIAT 500 2,989

[JBsZ06]

Originally Posted by Bluemind

I collected the best video on FIAT 500 and FIAT 500 Abarth:

http://www.carsitaly.net/PAGES/multi...els-europe.htm

SALES in OCTOBER in UNITED KINGDOM:

Top ten best sellers
October

1 Fiesta 8,812
2 Astra 7,415
3 Focus 6,668
4 Corsa 6,332
5 Golf 4,630
6 207 4,397
7 Clio 3,613
8 i10 3,230
9 MINI 3,120
10 FIAT 500 2,989

Looks like the Fiesta, the astra and focus kick the crap out of the 500..

Maybe the european Astra is better than the one we had here as the saturn..

maybe its the new astra?

I hope fiat reaches the sales goals it has for the fiat 500..

fiats are fun cars to drive. America needs more fun economical cars..IMO

I believe their is a fiat 500 coupe made by fiat for ford.. Off the top of my head...I can't remember the fords name...but its a three door coupe...which looks like a ford but underneath its a twin to the 500...It was a joint venture for fiat and ford ....

I like the fiat styling better.. Its retro cool....and just needs the abarth setup here to compete with a great icon..the mini cooper s (at a lower price which is quite important)

JMO