The next-generation Fiat 500e has been revealed ahead of its Italian summer launch.

Based on a brand new platform, the reincarnated 500 has undergone a growth spurt, with both length and width up by 60mm, while the wheelbase has increased by 20mm.

However, the biggest change is the car’s powertrain, with the small hatch going all-electric. Sitting beneath the floor is a 42kWh lithium-ion battery pack that feeds and electric motor developing 87kW (117hp/118PS). 0-100km/h takes a leisurely 9 seconds before hitting a top speed of 150km/h.

Fiat claims the 500e is capable of a 320km range on a single charge in the WLTP cycle. Charging from empty takes approximately six hours with a 7.4kW wallbox, while an 85kW rapid charger tops up the batteries to 80 per cent in just 35 minutes.

In terms of driving, the 500e will be offered with three driving modes – a normal mode, a second mode that allows for one pedal driving and a third mode called Sherpa that limits the top speed to just 80km/h in a last ditch attempt to squeeze out some extra mileage.

Inside, the new model will feature a 10.3-inch landscape style, Android-based infotainment system, as well as a two-spoke steering wheel.

In its home market, the Fiat 500e will initially be launched as a limited edition 500 La Prima costing €37,900 (A$63,950). Interestingly, the 500e will be sold concurrently with the current 500 for a “few more years” before eventually going full electric. A Convertible model is also expected down the line.

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“Exuding a distinguished sense of style, the Fiat 500 Collezione Fall/Winter Edition is sure to turn heads, the moody colour palette adorned with pops of copper and offering substantial additional value to customers.”

Based on the Lounge variant, the Fiat 500 and 500C Collezione Fall/Winter Edition will feature a standard new generation 7” UConnect touchscreen system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 7” TFT Instrument Cluster Display, rear parking sensors, cruise control and automatic climate control.

The Fiat 500 Collezione Fall/Winter Edition will be available in a limited run of 30 units (15 hatch and 15 convertible), and will be available in both manual and dualogic transmission.

Fiat 500 and 500C Collezione Fall/Winter Edition Range & Pricing

Model	Engine	Trans	Power	BVP
500 Collezione Fall/Winter Edition Hatch (Manual)	1.2L	5MT	51kW	$21,990
500 Collezione Fall/Winter Edition Hatch (Automatic)	1.2L	5MTA	51kW	$23,490
500 Collezione Fall/Winter Edition Convertible (Manual)	1.2L	5MT	51kW	$25,990
500 Collezione Fall/Winter Edition Convertible (Automatic)	1.2L	5MTA	51kW	$27,490

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Fiat Chrysler has confirmed the Abarth 695 Rivale will make its way Down Under in 2019, with prices starting from $44,990 plus on-road costs for the limited-edition hot hatch.

Drawing inspiration from the luxurious Riva Yachts, just 35 examples will hit our shores in both hatch and convertible form with a number of unique trim and equipment upgrades.

On the outside, the Rivale is differentiated by its grey 17-inch Super Sport alloy wheels, satin chrome exterior highlights, xenon headlights, and Rivale badging, while a distinct wood-trimmed dashboard, blue leather upholstery, and a unique infotainment interface highlight the interior upgrades.

Additionally, those who opt for the convertible will also get a blue soft-top to complement the rest of the package.

Mechanically, the 695 Rivale is unchanged from the 595 Competizione it’s based upon, meaning it sports the same 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder that produces 132kW/250Nm and is backed by either a five-speed manual or a robotised version of the same transmission.

While deliveries aren’t expected until late in Q1 2019, you’ll want to get in quick to secure one of the strictly limited units as the order books are now open.

Pricing

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The new 2018 Fiat 500X range has been revised with added safety features, a revamped infotainment and a slimlined model offering.

The simplified line-up now spans just two trim levels: Pop & Pop Star, offered in variations of one engine, two transmission and front wheel drive.

Subtly updated for 2018, the exterior features redesigned front and rear bumpers and revised headlights and taillights. On the inside, improvements include new interior trim with soft-touch dashboard materials and a quieter cabin thanks to extra sound-absorbent materials.

2018 Fiat 500X line-up

Fiat 500X Pop

• 4L MultiAir2 Turbo Engine: 103kW and 230Nm
• 6-Speed Dual Clutch Automatic or 6-Speed manual transmission
• Front-wheel-drive
• 7l/100km (6.0l/100km manual)

Fiat 500X Pop Star

• 4L MultiAir2 Turbo Engine: 103kW and 230Nm
• 6-Speed Dual Clutch Automatic transmission
• Front-wheel-drive
• 7l/100km

Advanced Safety features

The new MY18 500X Pop Star brings increased levels of active safety and driver assistance technology, with the following features now included as standard fitment on the Pop Star variant:

• Cornering Fog Lamps
• Full-Speed Forward Collision Warning-Plus
• Blind Spot Monitoring / Rear Cross-Path Detection
• LaneSense Lane Departure Warning-Plus
• Adaptive Cruise Control

Enhanced infotainment

The new 2018 Fiat 500X range features an upgraded infotainment with the addition of Uconnect 7” as standard for both Pop and Pop Star variants.

The Uconnect 7” system offers:

• Inbuilt Satellite Navigation on Pop Star
• Bluetooth interface
• Apple Carplay & Android Auto smartphone replication
• Voice command functionality

The new MY18 500X also offers an available BeatsAudio sound system upgrade, developed in collaboration with Beats by Dr. Dre. The premium hi-fi system boasts a 560W, eight-channel digital amplifier.

Special Launch Edition

Along with revised model line-up, Fiat has also released the Fiat 500X Launch Edition. Based on the new MY18 Pop Star variant, the Launch Edition will feature over $5,500 of added customer value at an additional cost of just $3,000 above Pop Star list price. Key additional features include:

• 17” Special Edition Alloy Wheels
• Black Leather-Appointed Seating
• Power Driver & Front Passenger Seat, both 8-way with electric lumbar adjust
• Beats Audio Premium Sound System
• Electric Folding Exterior Mirrors

The Launch Edition will be available in six colours (three solid & three metallic) Gelato White, Argento Grey, Cinema Black, Fashion Grey, Venezia Blue and Passione Red. Supply will be limited to just 100 units.

2018 Fiat 500X Range & Pricing

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Meet the Giannini 350 GP4, a steroid feasting Fiat 500 that’s ditched its cutesy looks and spent the winter pumping iron at the gym.

Prepared by Giannini in collaboration with GRAM (Gram Torino Engineering), the 350 GP4 is an evolution of the Alfa Romeo 4C-powered 350 GP (white car below) which made its debut a few months ago at the Turin Motor Show.

While the 350 GP featured a rear-engine (yes, it lives where the rear seats used to be), rear-wheel drive layout, the 350 GP4 gets a more conventional front-engine layout, but gains a grippy all-wheel drive system.

Giannini hasn’t released details of the car’s powerplant except that it produces the same 257kW as its RWD counterpart.

On the styling front, the car features a menacing wide body kit made of carbon fibre with numerous vents, along with a massive rear diffuser with red vertical fins to match the twin exhaust tips. The car’s windows have also been replaced with Plexiglas to reduce weight.

According to Giannini, the 350 GP4 is currently undergoing testing and more details, including its pricing, will be released at the end of the testing phase. For reference, the rear-wheel drive 350 GP costs an eye watering €150,000 ($A228,014).

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No, it’s not a photoshop image and no, you don’t have to go to Specsavers. This is a real marriage between a classic 1957 Fiat 500 and a 2003 Porsche 911. And who would’ve thought this was even possible?

Built by a motoring enthusiast in Greece, the “Fiatsche 511” combines the body of a Fiat 500 with the front fascia, side skirts and rear section of a 996 Porsche 911. Even the wheels, door mirrors and side scoops from the sports car made it across to the mini hatchback. And the result is impressive, literally transforming the already cute Fiat into something with just way too much LOL!

 No details were specified about what’s in the engine bay but it really doesn’t matter because this is one of the cutest and most hilarious builds ever.

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Fiat Chrysler Australia has announced the pricing for the Abarth 124 Spider, which is hitting local showrooms in October.

The drop-top will kick-off from $41,990 plus-on roads for the six-speed manual, with the six-speed automatic commanding an additional $2,000.

However, to sweeten the deal even further, the Abarth 124 Spider will be offered at a drive-away price of $43,500 for the six-speed manual, and $45,500 drive-away for the 6-speed auto.

To celebrate the return of the iconic nameplate, Fiat has also introduced 100 commemorative Launch Editions at no extra costs. They get special contrasting bumper inserts, mirror caps and tow-hook covers, while each will be stamped with a special “1 of 100” metal plague.

The Abarth 124 Spider is powered by a Fiat 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol producing 125kW @ 5,500rpm and 250Nm @ 2,500rpm. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a mechanical limited-slip differential.

It arrives with sports suspension, a Sport Mode selector, Brembo brakes and Bilstein shock absorbers, along with leather and Alcantara sports seats. The 124 Spider is also equipped with a chrome quad-tip sports exhaust as standard.

“The Abarth 124 Spider is not just an amazing performance vehicle, but the return of one of the world’s most iconic nameplates to Australian roads,” says FCA Australia President and CEO, Steve Zanlunghi.

“And we’re thrilled to reveal today that the most powerful vehicle in its class will offer incredible value in Australia, regardless of whether it’s in the performance-packed Abarth 124 Spider or the commemorative Launch Editions.”

The Abarth 124 Spider will be on sale in all Australian dealerships from Friday the 7th of October.

Pricing:

Abarth 124 Spider – Six-Speed Manual
MSRP: $41,990
Drive Away: $43,500

Abarth 124 Spider – Six-Speed Automatic
MSRP: $43,990
Drive Away: $45,500

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The Fiat 500X is the latest member of the fast-growing Fiat 500 family and is one of the more style-focused compact crossover in the segment.

Infused with the cutesy looks of its smaller hatch sibling that almost single-handed revived the Fiat brand in Australia, the high-riding 500X aims to bring some style and practicality into a segment dominated by mostly unimaginative offerings.

Available in four well-equipped models, the range kicks off with the $28,000 (plus on-road costs) Pop, before moving up to the Pop Star, Lounge and the range-topping Cross Plus you see here.

All models are powered by Fiat’s likeable 1.4-litre multiAir turbocharged four-cylinder engine in two states of tune – 103kW/230Nm in the front-wheel drive Pop and Pop Star, and 125kW/250Nm in the all-wheel drive Lounge and Cross Plus.

While the retro styling touches might be all Fiat, the 500X is essentially a twin of the more off-road focused Jeep Renegade under the skin. Both cars are built alongside one another at Fiat’s Melfi plant in Italy.

Design and Comfort

The Pop, Pop Star and Lounge all sport the chic, smoother-suited DNA of the Fiat 500, while the more rugged Cross Plus tested here features a unique front and rear fascia with visible underbody protection, roof rails and robust wheel arches for a more aggressive look.

Design elements like the double headlamps, trapezoidal nose, signature “whiskers and logo” face and rounded clamshell bonnet all pay homage to the original Cinquecento and Fiat 500 hatch.

Inside, as befitting the car’s style-led brief, the cheery retro theme interior is available with a variety of colours and fabrics, including the soft leather seats with white piping of our Cross Plus test car.

Its dashboard has a more three-dimensional feel compared to the 500, with a protruding infotainment screen and three-pod instrument cluster, while the meaty steering wheel almost feels like an over-compensation of its softer outlook.

The 500X is a much larger car than it appears, measuring 4.25m long, 1.8m wide and 1.61m in height; making it not only longer, wider and taller than its main rival, the MINI Countryman, but also wider and taller than the Mazda CX-3 and Honda HR-V.

There are plenty of practical storage compartments in the cabin, including two glove boxes in the dash and a 350-litre cargo space at the back, which expands to 1,000 litres with the 60/40 split rear seats folded down.

The boot floor can be set at two levels, too – one which is level with the boot lip for easy loading and a flat boot floor when the rear seats are folded, while the other drops the floor lower down to maximise space.

Performance and Handling

The Fiat 500X is powered by a 1.4-litre MultiAir2 turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with two different outputs.

Entry-level Pop and Pop Star get 103kW at 5,000rpm and 230Nm at 1,750 rpm, and is paired with either a 6-speed manual (Pop only) or dual dry clutch DDCT transmission sending power to the front wheels.

It produces 125kW at 5,500rpm and 250Nm at 2,500rpm in the all-wheel drive Lounge and Cross Plus variants and is married to a ZF 9-speed automatic shared with the Jeep Renegade.

While the engine is generally quiet and has decent muscle to move things along, its 9-speed automatic is jerky and painfully unrefined (like the Jeep). You can feel each gear slotting into place reluctantly as if it has run out of transmission oil. This is especially evident when the engine is cold and at low speeds. There is also excessive torque braking when downshifting from higher gears.

It is a pity because the higher output Fiat engine is likeable and relatively sporty

Throw the 500X into corners and its handling is surprisingly sharp, although it doesn’t feel as planted as some of its rivals such as the Hyundai Tucson. There’s good grip from the 225/45 tyres but its steering feels numb. However, it gets better with more lock.

Around town, the ride is on the firm side on our 18-inch wheels equipped Cross Plus, especially over pockmarked roads, although it becomes smoother at higher speeds.

All models, bar the entry-level Pop, offer a “Mood Selector” with three moods: Auto for everyday driving, Sport for a move lively drivetrain and All Weather for low grip conditions. Each mood calibrates the engine, steering and transmission suited to the driving style of that mood.

Quality

The Fiat 500X appears well built with consistent panel alignment. There was no annoying squeaks or rattles in our test car, either. Most switchgear also feels robust.

Economy

On test, the Cross Plus returned a combined average of 11.1L/100km, way off the rated average of 6.7L/100km.

Admittedly, most test kilometres were done in stop-start traffic with a couple of freeway trips thrown in. Still, we expect a small turbo engine to fair better.

Equipment and Features

Like most modern cars, the Fiat 500X is relatively well equipped. Standard features include a 3.5-inch TFT instrument cluster display, air-conditioning, 60/40 split folding rear seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel with shift paddles (auto only), cruise control and reverse camera. The entry-level Pop runs on 16-inch alloy wheels with dark chrome effect and comes with a Uconnect 5.0-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth.

Stepping up to the Pop Star brings 17-inch alloys with matte silver painted finish, automatic headlights and wipers, Blind Spot Monitoring with rear cross path detection, Fiat’s Mood Selector, Keyless entry and a 6.5-inch Uconnect touchscreen with Bluetooth and Navigation.

Jumping into the Lounge buys a 18-inch alloys with Glossy Silver painted finish, 3.5-inch colour TFT instrument cluster display, auto high-beam, BeatsAudio Premium Sound System with subwoofer and 8 speakers, privacy glass, dual-zone climate control, interior ambient lighting, Forward Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning and two-toned leather interior.

Our Cross Plus additionally comes with 18-inch machined alloys with matte chrome shadow finish, roof racks, satin chrome exterior details and Xenon projector headlights.

Practical features such as ISOFIX points for child seats in the rear bench are standard.

Verdict

Design and Comfort: 8/10

Performance and Handling: 6.5/10

Quality: 8.0/10

Economy: 5.5/10

Equipment and Features: 8.5/10

The cheery Fiat 500X brings the retro and cutesy styling of the 500 into the flavour-of-the-moment crossover SUV body-shell.

It is well equipped, practical and handles relatively well.

We would steer clear of the 9-speed automatic due to its lack of refinement.

Pros:

• Cute styling and practical interior
• Sporty 1.4-litre engine
• Keen handling

Cons:

• Jerky 9-speed automatic
• Thirsty

2016 Fiat 500X pricing and specification

Competitors: Citroen C4 Cactus, Ford Kuga, Holden Trax, Honda HR-V, Hyundai Tucson, Jeep Renegade, Kia Sportage, Mazda CX-3, MINI Clubman, Mitsubishi ASX, Nissan Juke, Peugeot 2008, Renault Captur, Subaru XV, Suzuki Vitara

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Fiat has released more details on their Abarth 124 Spider, which is set to hit local showrooms later this year.

Powered by the brand’s 1.4-litre MultiAir Turbo engine delivering 125kW and 250Nm of torque, the Abarth 124 Spider will dash from 0-100km/h in a claimed 6.8 seconds, with a rated top speed of 230km/h.

To match the scintillating performance, the 124 is equipped with a sports exhaust as standard, with a dual-mode Record Monza exhaust offered as an option.

To ensure all driving styles are catered for, the Mazda MX-5 based Italian roadster will be available with a six-speed manual, or with a six-speed automatic transmission that is said to have been careful tuned to exploit all of the engine’s torque. A set of steering wheel mounted paddles also comes with automatic models.

According to Fiat, the car’s performance is boosted even further by setting “Sport” mode on the driving mode selector, which adjusts throttle response and steering inputs.

Pricing and full specification detail will be revealed closer to the vehicle’s local launch in the fourth quarter of 2016.

Abarth customers can now visit www.abarth.com.au/124spider to register their interest, and to discover preliminary specification, safety and personalisation options.

Fiat has also released the first clip of the Abarth 124 in action via the video below.

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Abarth has taken the wraps of the new Abart 124 Spider at the Geneva Motor Show. Fiat says the new model aims to “sweep a new generation off their feet with its performance and technical DNA”.

Developed with input from the Abart Racing Team, the car is said to exemplify the distinctive Abarth values of performance, craftsmanship and technical excellence, and features a sports mechanical limited-slip differential as standard.

Much of the car’s 1,060kg weight is concentrated between the axles, which result in a weight-to-power ratio of 6.2kg/HP and perfect 50/50 weight distribution. The 124 Spider sits on double-wishbone front, and five-link rear suspension complete with “Abarth by Bilstein” dampers and stiffened anti-roll bars.

Powering the Abart 124 Spider is a 1.4-litre MultiAir turbocharged four-cylinder engine that develops 125kW (170HP) of power and 250Nm of torque. Matched with a six-speed manual or the Sequenziale Sportivo automatic gearbox, it enables the convertible to go from 0-100km/h in 6.8 seconds, before hitting a top speed of 230km/h.

Its standard Record Monza exhaust is said to generate a beautiful growling sound for enhanced driving thrills.

Inside, there are leather sports seats, a small-diameter steering wheel and an instrument panel with a large central rev counter. Standard equipment includes manual climate control system, stereo with four speakers, MP3 player and USB port, cruise control, adjustable and electrically-folded door mirrors.

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