The restyled Fiat Grande Punto will be marketed as the Punto Evo, as we had predicted Thursday. The renewed vehicle from Turin will be the subject of a profound aesthetic makeover, concentrated mainly on the front end and the interior; the rear fenders will also be changed, with different side scoops. The strange thing, though, is that it is present in the same price listings as the Punto Classic and the current Grande Punto.

And yes, this is because this last one, the Grande Punto, will continue to be produced in the same way, with prices reduced by some thousands of Euros and a engine series reduced to the bare bones: all the remaining “survivors” will be fitted with the Euro 4 engine. Unlike the Punto Evo, which will be proposed with a Euro 5 engine equipped with Multiair (the presence of the 1.4-liter engine with 105 hp is almost certain) and, over the course of 2010, with the 900cc SGE.

From | Quattroruote

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Fiat has released the first video of the Fiat 500C, in which we also get a demonstration of the remote control open and close mechanism of the little car. While road handling will be something to examine in the future, Fiat says it’s made improvements. The Fiat 500 cabrio debuts in dealerships in Italy on July 4th.

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The Fiat 500C is set to debut across Italian Fiat dealerships on July 4th, and in preparation, Fiat has released these new pics of the 500 cabriolet, including some shots of the original cabrio. Fiat has been working on some aspects of its 500C to make it more appealing, including an accessible boot and improvements to the aerodynamics to make it quieter.

Boot space is 182 litres, only three less than the Fiat 500, and a wind stop is an optional extra for the comfort of rear passengers. The soft top is one of the key elements of the cabrio, with an electronic, remote control mechanism. The three colours of black, ivory and red can be matched with the three new body colours: pearl red, grey and blue (now available on all 500 models).

Euro 5 engines have been confirmed, including the 1.2 litre 69hp, the 1.4 litre 100 hp, and teh 1.3 litre Multijet 75 hp. The 500 C diesel version created for a charity auction looks set to remain a one-off. More details after the jump.

Continue reading: New Fiat 500C pics and details: full 500 cabrio gallery

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These totally cool pics show the Fiat 500C “parked” on the ceiling of Frankfurt airport as part of a publicity campaign prior to the Frankfurt show in September this year.

Given the Fiat 500 cabriolet’s point of interest is the soft top roof, why not show it where you can really get a look in? (Thanks to “ruggy” for the tip)

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It an intriguing move in the car industry, Fiat has taken on the Dodge Viper supercar brand by taking on the franchise as part of the Fiat-Chrysler deal. The Viper brand has been in dire straits, and may not be safe under Fiat management either.

Plans were to sell Viper, but at ten million dollars, Chrysler couldn’t find a buyer. Fiat may find the task just as hard, with Devon Motor Works apparently being the only bidder at a mere 5.5 million dollars.

The Viper has been an icon in American sports cars since it first appeared in 1992, but may risk going by the wayside as Fiat protects its own Maserati and Ferrari supercar brands. While Fiat may recognise the differences between its luxury Italian sportscars and a US V10 supercar, things are tense for lovers of the Viper brand.

Continue reading: Fiat acquires Dodge Viper: future sale possible

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The career of the Fiat Strada , one of the most successful compact pickup trucks in Europe and Latin America, is not slowing. The fourth generation was presented at the San Paolo Auto Show in 2008 and the time has come to renew the series by introducing a new variant equipped with extra cargo room and an extended cab, increasing the interior comfort.

The prototypes captured in pictures on the roads of Brazil show that the rear end of the vehicle is heavily camouflaged, while the front end is completely bare, which indicates the aspects upon which the new version was based. This is the Adventure, equipped with a flexy fuel engine (gasoline and ethanol) in 1.4-liter and 1.8-liter versions with 85 hp and 112 hp, complete with an off-road kit and only front-wheel drive.

Its debut is expected at the end of 2009 as part of the 2010 Model Yeal, but it is still unknown when it will be available in Europe. In Italy the third generation Fiat Strada, launched in 2004, is still available, and it is sold in Brazile as the entry-level vehicle for the Strada series.

From Carangoblog

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After the Fiat 500 and the Alfa Romeo MiTo, the Abarth 500 is now ready for Japan, and is already on sale for 2,950,000 yen, which is just over 21,500 euros. The Abarth 500 is available with the 1.4 litre T-Jet engine at 135 hp with ESP, alloy wheels, air conditioning, sports seats and audio system as part of the price.

The Japanese Abarth 500 will have a few differences compared to the European model, with the instrument panel including turbo indicator. Other features on the dash include a gear change indicator in circular style.

Via | Es.Autoblog

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While the front spoiler is covered by camouflage, the Fiat Grande Punto restyling is here. The Grande Punto now has new air intakes and features below the bonnet. These spy shots come from Auto Evolution, showing the changes to Fiat’s B segment car halfway through its career.

Given the Grande Punto’s success, especially in its home market, the modifications are minimal so as not to upset the winning formula. The front now looks slightly like the Fiat Bravo, head of the new “family feeling” Fiat style. The interior will also be changed slightly with new materials and instrumentation.

Source | Auto Evolution

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The Fiat-Chrysler deal has now got the support of the US Supreme Court in a move that will help the US auto-maker out of bankruptcy. Three small pension funds holding a minimal stake in Chrysler had applied to block the deal.

The deal now looks sealed and should bode well for both Chrysler and Fiat, with the latter looking to get its models in the US market on the back of its new American partner. The Fiat models set to go to the US include the Fiat 500, the Alfa MiTo and the Alfa Milano among others.

In the photo is the Fiat Grande Punto, also tipped to appear on US shores. The move is not simply a question of Fiat managing to export its models, but should involve the development of new engines and transmissions on American soil with Fiat having access to Chrysler facilities.

Source | LeftLane News

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News from the “Cinquecentisti” forum reveals the Fiat 500 cabriolet pricing for the Italian market. Prices are set to range from 15,000 euros for the 1.2 Pop, to 18,600 euros for the 1.4 Lounge. The 1.3 litre Multijet at 75 hp will cost 18,450 euros, and the new 95hp Multijet will be available from November this year.

Depending on your priorities, the new 500C may seem expensive, given the basic hard top version costs 4,000 euros less. The Pop version should prove the more popular for those wanting to save a little extra on their cabrio. The models will be available from June for summer touring in Italy.

Source | Autoblog.it via Autopareri.com

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