With Chrysler soon to be selling the tiny Fiat 500 here in the States the auto world awaits to see if it will be as successful as it has been in Europe. The little guy is powered by a 1.4-liter engine that makes 101 horsepower and 98 lbs.-ft. of torque and is partnered with either a manual or the newly developed automatic transmission. This is plenty power for such a small vehicle.
Fiat modified the 500 for the U.S. market, including a 10.5-gallon fuel tank, four-wheel disk brakes with ABS, structural changes to strengthen the body, an upgraded heating and cooling system and even a premium Bose stereo system. Targeted for the young at heart, the 500 has all the expected Bluetooth and voice command functions. Chrysler’s MOPAR is taking the car’s individuality even further with a line of accessories to add to the three models’ 14 exterior and interior color combinations.
The Fiats will be priced from $15,500 base to $19,500 well equipped. But the Fiat 500 isn’t about features as much as it’s about statements that the automobile world is truly changing as small cars go mainstream. The Fiat 500 is small, lively, efficient and very personable.
