First Details on US 500

[5OO]

There will be the 3 models (Pop, Lounge, Sport). The first details are the Sport model. All models will have the 1.4 MultiAir engine. http://blog.chryslerllc.com/blog.do?id=1167&p=entry

http://chryslermedia.iconicweb.com/mediasite/libraryImages/FT011_002FH__mid.jpg
http://chryslermedia.iconicweb.com/mediasite/libraryImages/FT011_006FH__mid.jpg

[VilleV]

Absolutely loving the new front bumber! Very Abarth like indeed! Not too sure about the rear bumber tho, or the side lights, but I´ll have to wait for better pictures to make up my mind!

[VilleV]

Now, after seeing some high res pictures of the front I´m not so sure I like it after all. For sure it´s sporty but as the same time it loses so much of the original design! And the rear bumber is pretty ugly to be honest!:eek:

[Pethead]

Now, after seeing some high res pictures of the front I´m not so sure I like it after all. For sure it´s sporty but as the same time it loses so much of the original design! And the rear bumber is pretty ugly to be honest!:eek:

It's true! I'm with you, Villev. The front bumper is too much similar to the Abarth one, and the rear bumper very similar to the actual Mini cooper.:(
It has lost the italian essence and it seems more like a normal car, and the 500 is not a normal car, it is special.

[5OO]

Now, after seeing some high res pictures of the front I´m not so sure I like it after all. For sure it´s sporty but as the same time it loses so much of the original design! And the rear bumber is pretty ugly to be honest!:eek:

Hopefully it is just the sport model that gets the new bumpers, I think the Pop and Lounge models will get the original one.

[.Lefteris.]

Just put the frond and rear Abarth badges and you've got a red Abarth!
Am not sure if this is good for the standard 500, it fits on the sport model but not for the modern classic idea of the new 500 in general.
Lets wait to see if the pop model looks right!

[navy48]

here's the 'new' Fiat USA site. CHECK IT OUT!!!!! :icon_thumleft:

http://www.fiatusa.com/

[Abarthlyness]

I like it!

It is a Sport model, yes? I think the more agressive appearance is there, but not over the top. It being the "sporty" model, I think the front facsia and side mouldings are top notch!

I do however agree that there does need to be models which stay absolutley true to the Euro Pop and Lounge variants.

Those pics don't give a very good view of the rear of the car. Can someone perhaps post a side by side of the NA rear end and the euro rear end?

Just think of how horribly wrong this could have gone... the NA market is notorious for completely fubaring beautiful Europian cars.

[VilleV]

Hard to find any decent picture of US spec cars rear. This is the biggest one I could find enlarged and then followed by a picture of a Euro spec Lounge. Euro car here has 15" wheels as where the US car has 16", and Euro car has chrome kit, which the Euro spec Sport model doesnt have as standard.

[Abarthlyness]

Thanks for posting those for comparison V!

I still think it looks good, and as true to the Euro spec as our different NA regulations will allow.

I think the only thing that is really all that different is the additional vents (one set) and the reflectors, which are regulation. The over all shape is very similar, which is impressive to me, given the vast different is crash standards and the like…

I completely understand the undying love that the folks whom already own the car have. So, really, in a way, any changes at all feel like a slap in the face.

My brothers and sisters, you must realize that up till now, all us North Americans have had in the segment, are Smart “For Twos”, Minis and a Toyota Yaris’…

This North American 500 Sport is an Italian SUPERMODEL in comparison!!!

Just my two cents:icon_thumright:

[VilleV]

:good_post: Well said!

[Abarthlyness]

:good_post: Well said!

Thanks. I just don't want my fellow 500 fans from the other side of the pond to fret about changes that were made. If it were no different at all, I think it would be a shame.

The same thing happened with the Ford Fiesta. Everyone in the states was so up in arms about the differences between the Euro and NA Fiestas. I think Ford did a bang up job:icon_thumright:

[VilleV]

Surely the new looks are just going to take some getting used to! I´m really looking forward to seeing what the Lounge and Pop versions are going to look like!

There have been some rumours of a face lift coming here in Europe too, but I think all the discuised cars seen in spy photos are of the new US model.

[Abarthlyness]

Surely the new looks are just going to take some getting used to! I´m really looking forward to seeing what the Lounge and Pop versions are going to look like!

There have been some rumours of a face lift coming here in Europe too, but I think all the discuised cars seen in spy photos are of the new US model.

Indeed. It will be interesting to see how things go in the near future.

But, let it be known, Abarthlyness 100% approves of this car. I really like it. It's smaller than the Mini, but has more room inside. It's prettier than the Mini, designed and built better, out of better materials, and it's much less expensive than the Mini...

As soon as I can, I am putting my name on a waiting list for an Abarth.

I'll buy it sight unseen!

On a side note, let me just say V, that your English grammar is superb!

[Peter O]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3307/3432008751_b00e2e9f75.jpg

Here is one more rear sight. This 500 has got the 16' wheels like the US-car. They are a good looking option.

[VilleV]

out of better materials


This is not necessarily true, I think the Bini has a real premium feel to it. By any means the 500 is not made of bad materials, but some of the plastics are hard and therefore kind of cheap looking. They are just hidden away, or should I say that there´s so much going on with the dash that one just doesnt pay attention to them! But so far the build quality seems to be really good, and what I hear way better than the Mini!



I'll buy it sight unseen!


I did that too, although I bought the Lounge version but that´s only because Abarth wasn´t and still isn´t on sale here. First ever 500 I saw was some two or three months after I had ordered mine, and mine came four months after ordering it. I´m just happy I fitted in it being a pretty tall guy at 191cm or 6"3 in US spec, I think...lol



On a side note, let me just say V, that your English grammar is superb!

Thanks Mike!!! That really made my day! And Also my high school english teachers if she heard this...lol But on a serious note, it´s the forums like this that really improve my english because I dont get to use it too much!

[VilleV]

They are a good looking option.

They are indeed!! But they do compromise the ride comfort a little, atleast here on our rugged roads. And I´ve also heard about some steering rack problems mainly on cars with 16" wheels on them!!!:eek:

[Abarthlyness]

Peter, thanks for the additional pic for comparison.

Once I see one in person (North American car) I will really be able to see if the additional vents out back are "too much" or not.

I will say that most Americans will like it. We like to see that sort of stuff. Especially because of us are not intimately familiar with the Euro versions. So, they won't know the difference.

I truly believe that this car will sell very, very well here. Better than most folks realize.

[Peter O]

16' wheels aren't a big loss of comfort. I've changed from 15 to 16, and though the look and the road-handling are better, the comfort didn't get worse.

[navy48]

I was close.....REALLY REALLY CLOSE, to putting a $500 deposit on the "Prima Edizone'', just to get one of the first 500 available, but I didn't.

I have my Charger right now and that's good enough for me. but in 2012 or when the Abarth comes to the States......LOOK OUT! Daddys gonna have a brand new 'barth! lol

[Abarthlyness]

I was close.....REALLY REALLY CLOSE, to putting a $500 deposit on the "Prima Edizone'', just to get one of the first 500 available, but I didn't.

I have my Charger right now and that's good enough for me. but in 2012 or when the Abarth comes to the States......LOOK OUT! Daddys gonna have a brand new 'barth! lol

That's an excellent plan:icon_thumleft:

Think I'll do the samelol

[Ubryaj]

I'm also waiting for the Abarth version... It's great that the regular 500 is coming and everything but I want to know what they have planned for the Abarth. It's going to kill me to see regular 500s on the street while I have to wait a year maybe for my Abarth. Does anyone have an idea of when the 500C Abarth will come? Will we have to wait even longer for that? That's what I'd really love to have.

[navy48]

be patient....the Abarth and the 500C are to be here later in 2011, maybe as 2012 models. the EV version of the 500 is suppose to hit the showroom floors sometime in mid-2012.

I can wait another 12 months.......I HOPE! :rolleyes:

[5OO]

be patient....the Abarth and the 500C are to be here later in 2011, maybe as 2012 models. the EV version of the 500 is suppose to hit the showroom floors sometime in mid-2012.

I can wait another 12 months.......I HOPE! :rolleyes:

I know how you feel! :banghead: Luckily I convinced my oldest, closest friend to buy a regular 500 so I'll have something to keep me occupied for the rough 12 months (Or less).

[Pethead]

It seems that the first pictures we saw, were of the Sport version. A Lounge model has been seen driving around Detroit and it is the same as the european.

The link:
http://blogs.wsj.com/drivers-seat/2010/09/17/seen-on-the-road-fiats-anticipated-500-subcompact/

[VilleV]

Ok, that looks like the european model! Except for that tail pipe...:eek:

[5OO]

It seems that the first pictures we saw, were of the Sport version. A Lounge model has been seen driving around Detroit and it is the same as the european.

The link:
http://blogs.wsj.com/drivers-seat/2010/09/17/seen-on-the-road-fiats-anticipated-500-subcompact/

Good eye. :icon_thumleft:

[sjmst]

Here are some of them seen in NYC a couple of weeks ago.
Looks like the first is a non-sport (Pop or Lounge) and then we see some sport models. It seems as though the non sports will be very much like the Euro versions.

[.Lefteris.]

Here are some of them seen in NYC a couple of weeks ago.
Looks like the first is a non-sport (Pop or Lounge) and then we see some sport models. It seems as though the non sports will be very much like the Euro versions.
:good_post:

and something new, the navi is on the A pillar unlike the European cars that is on the center (top) of the dash! :)

[sjmst]

:good_post:

and something new, the navi is on the A pillar unlike the European cars that is on the center (top) of the dash! :)

Ah, good catch! :)

[VilleV]

Nice photo! The first car seems to be a Pop with alloys, but only if US models can be directly compared to European models. Lounge has chrome inserts on bumpers and a class roof. But it seems to be really close to euro spec models other than it has new headlights and those sidelight-things on fenders. Looking at it here the US spec Sport seems rather good...:cool:

[ferrarimanf355]

Here are some of them seen in NYC a couple of weeks ago.
Looks like the first is a non-sport (Pop or Lounge) and then we see some sport models. It seems as though the non sports will be very much like the Euro versions.

Hm, the Sport model in the back looks better in white, IMHO.

I hope the equipment list is revealed soon.

[5OO]

Hm, the Sport model in the back looks better in white, IMHO.

I hope the equipment list is revealed soon.

It should be within 2 weeks, US Spec details are going to be released at the LA Auto Show.

[Abarthlyness]

:good_post:

and something new, the navi is on the A pillar unlike the European cars that is on the center (top) of the dash! :)

Lefty, that navi almost looks like an after-market (hand held) unit that the driver as affixed to the windshield nea the A-pillar...

I'm all but certain the higher line cars will have the same style navi you are used to, in the center stack as it were.:icon_thumright:

[.Lefteris.]

Lefty, that navi almost looks like an after-market (hand held) unit that the driver as affixed to the windshield nea the A-pillar...

I'm all but certain the higher line cars will have the same style navi you are used to, in the center stack as it were.:icon_thumright:
Am not so sure now, you may be right! ;)

[Abarthlyness]

Cool...

As a side note, I just wanted to put my opinion out there, that I really think that the "pop" versions, or anything non-sport, will have that same cute, peppy, spunky look that the original new 500 have in Europe.

I just think that the Sport models will be a tad more aggressive, so as to further cater to the general likes of NA...

I believe we saw the same thing with the Mini. For the most part, the NA Minis are a tad more aggressive than the Euro Minis. At least in the lower trim levels.

Just my $0.02:icon_thumright: