Fiat 500L On Its Way!

The first shipment of new Fiat 500L MPVs bound for the North American market has left the the Montenegrin port city of Bar last Friday, May 10. The shipment of 3,100 Fiat 500Ls will arrive at the Port of Baltimore in approximately two weeks!




The roomy Fiat 500L is manufactured in one of the most modern car factories in Europe located in Kragujevac, Serbia. The former Zastava works factory was acquired by Fiat in 2008 and has been completely revamped with the help of $1.3 billion investment to make the factory a cutting edge facility. At full capacity, the Fiat 500L factory can produce up to 200,000 cars, with 99 percent of its production expected to be exported to more than 100 countries. Look forward to seeing the Fiat 500L arriving at US Fiat Studios next month.

Read more about the Fiat 500L!

Discuss on the Fiat 500L Forum here.

Source:Fiat Group Press

Don't Miss the 2013 FIAT FreakOut!

Registration for the biggest Fiat event of the year has just kicked off! Called the Fiat FreakOut, the annual event is the national convention of Fiat Club America and is celebrating its 30th year. The Fiat FreakOut is a four day event filled with fun activities and friendly Fiat enthusiasts. This year's FreakOut promises to be the largest one ever and is being held on the famed Gold Coast area in Long Island, New York. It is a beautiful location, near beaches, museums and amusement parks. The busy four day event starts on Thursday, July 18th and runs through Sunday, July 21st. Scheduled are scenic drives, dinners and get togethers, plus Fiat vendors selling accessories and a Concours auto show that should not be missed.

Besides all the many activities, the Fiat FreakOut is a great way to become familiar with some of the trendsetting Fiat Group cars of the past. Expect to see a wide variety of Fiat, Lancia, and Alfa Romeo models and learn why the Fiat Group has won more European Car of the Year awards than any other car company.

Homebase for the 2013 Fiat FreakOut will be the Hyatt Regency Long Island in Hauppauge, NY. The hotel has special rates in effect, make sure you reserve your room now. With nearly 100,000 new Fiat 500 owners in North American, the club foresees a large turnout this year, so don't wait! Use the links below to register and download the event schedule. See you there!

Important Links:

2013 Fiat FreakOut Main Page*

Download the event guide with other attractions HERE**

The 2013 Fiat FreakOut runs Thursday, July 18th, 2013 – Sunday July 21st 2013

Thursday, July 18**
•Breakfast on own at Hyatt Regency Long Island (HRLI)
•9:30 AM for Scenic Drive to Eastern Long Island
•3:00 PM Registration, vendor area, Open until 9 PM.
•7:00 PM –HRLI Reception w/ cash bar

Friday, July 19
•9:00 AM Registration Open, vendor room open, wash station is 24-7.
•2:00 PM Afternoon Drive: Jones Beach
•6:00 PM HRLI Resort Patio Welcome Party cocktail hour until 7PM
•7:00 PM HRLI (pre-registered meal)
•8:30 PM Dinner concludes : kid’s movie
•9:30 PM FCA “Drive in movie” The Italian Job
•10:00 PM Registration closes, vendor room closes for evening
•11:30 PM Movie concludes, HRLI patio & parking lot social time

Saturday, July 20th
•7:00 AM Breakfast on own, 7 AM to 8:30 AM, HRLI
•9:00 AM Depart hotel lots for caravan and scenic drive (app 30 miles)
to FFO13 Concorso at Old Westbury Gardens.
•10:00 AM FFO13 Concorso on location at Old Westbury Gardens
•12:00 Noon – Lunch @ FFO13 Concorso (pre-registered meal)
•2:00 PM Concorso voting ballots due, show concludes
•3:00 PM Depart Old Westbury Gardens
•4:00 PM FCA store & vendors open until 7 PM
•6:00 PM Saturday Cocktail hour at HRLI
•7:00 PM Saturday Dinner @ HRLI (pre-registered meal)
•8:30 PM Dinner concludes / Guest Speaker / Awards Presentation
•10:00 PM Social and parking lot time, HRLI

Sunday, July 21st
•8:00 AM – 9 AM Last call vendor and FCA store sales @ HRLI
•9:00 AM Sunday Brunch HRLI (pre-registered meal)
•10:00 AM Raffle prize awards / Guest speaker / announcements
•11:30 AM Depart for drive to Teddy Roosevelt’s Home Sagamore Hill
•4 PM Return to HRLI
•7 PM Informal FFO13 closeout dinner TBA

Read more about the Fiat FreakOut:

Fiat FreakOut Archives
 

*You must be logged in to your member account on the FCA webpage view the form. Remember, your username is your member number (same as always with FLU added to the front) and the password that was sent to you previously. Otherwise select forgot password and start from scratch.

** Event schedule subject to change

Fiat 500 April 2013 Sales

The Fiat 500 racked up 3,899 sales last month, continuing a 14 month sales growth record for year-over-year sales gains. April 2013 sales were up 2 percent over last March and 1 percent over last year's April sales - just enough to keep the record going. Fiat 500 Abarth sales were particularly strong and posted a 22 percent increase compared to last April. This brings the year to date total of Fiat 500 models sold in the US to 13,511, up 6 percent over the same period last year.

Records notwithstanding, the numbers show that an influx of new models into Fiat Studios will come right in time to bump up sales momentum. The new Fiat 500 Abarth Cabrio, already hitting dealer lots and the upcoming Fiat 500L MPV, due this summer, should do the trick.

Taking a look back in April, Tim Kuniskis, the head of Fiat USA moves on to the Dodge brand and is replaced by Jason Stoicevich. Kuniskis took over Fiat USA in November 2011 and presided over 14 straight months of sales growth during his tenure, ultimately doubling Fiat sales from 25,161 in 2011 to 52,246 in 2012. Stoicevich, who is also the Head of the California Business Center, has a record of achieving outstanding results and helped Californian Fiat Studios record a 254 percent sales increase in 2012 versus 2011.

Story:

Stoicevich Named Head of Fiat Brand for North America

April also brought more news on the all-electric Fiat 500e, the exciting car sports a very attractive price point and lease deal and has the makings of a huge hit in California when it makes its debut there this summer.

Story:

Fiat 500e Pricing Revealed!

Other news last month was the Fiat 500 added two more awards to its impressive total. The Fiat 500 won Best Car Under $17,000 in About.com's 2013 Reader's Choice Awards, and the 500 Turbo grabbed the award for best Sub-Compact Car of Texas during the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) Auto Roundup at the Texas Motor Speedway.

Read more:

All the Fiat 500 Awards Stories

Finally, April marked the world debut of Italian pop star Arianna's Sexy People music video featuring the Fiat 500 and Pitbull. The video prominently showcases the Fiat 500 and has gathered more than 3.6 million views on YouTube in little over a week!

Watch the video here:

Arianna's Sexy People Featuring the Fiat 500 and Pitbull

Fiat 500 Sales in the United States - April 2013

Fiat 500	Current Month	Last Year	Vol Change	Current YTD Total	Last Year YTD Total	Vol Change
April 2013	3,899	3,849	1%	13,511	12,699	6%
March 2013	3,807	3,712	3%	9,612	8,850	9%
February 2013	3,302	3,227	2%	5,805	5,138	13%
January 2013	2,503	1,911	31%	2,503	1,911	31%

Related:

Link to Fiat 500 sales archives

Watch all the different Fiat commercials here

Read more about the Fiat 500e

Read more about the Fiat 500L

Read more about the Fiat 500c Cabrio

Source: Fiat USA

Arianna's Sexy People Featuring the Fiat 500 and Pitbull

You have seen the Fiat 500 commercial "Immigrants" where cars plunge into the sea and "drive" over to American shores, now here is the complete video on what happens on the trip over! The music video stars Pitbull, Charlie Sheen and the beautiful Italian Pop Star Arianna Bergamaschi - better known as just Arianna. Enjoy it here because it may be too sexy to make it on prime time TV!

What do you think? Talk about it on the
Fiat 500 USA Forum!

Related:

Watch all the Fiat Commercials Here!

Fiat 500e Full Vehicle Specifications!

All-new 2013 FIAT 500e SPECIFICATIONS
Dimensions are in inches (millimeters) unless otherwise noted.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Vehicle Type: A-segment hatchback
EPA Vehicle Class: Mini-compact
Assembly Plant: Toluca, Mexico
Introduction Date: Second Quarter 2013 as a 2013 model

BODY/CHASSIS
Layout: Front-wheel drive
Construction: Unitized steel body

ELECTRIC MOTOR
Availability: Standard — 500e
Type and Description: Permanent magnetic electric traction with electric-parking pawl
Power (SAE)
111 bhp (83 kW)
Torque (SAE)
147 lb.-ft. (200 N•m)
Max. Speed (estimated): 85 mph (137 kph)

Fuel Economy Label
EPA estimated miles-per-gallon equivalent
(MPGe) Fuel Economy Label
City: Greater than 122 MPGe (195 KPGe)
Highway: Greater than 108 MPGe (173 KPGe)
Combined: Greater than 116 MPGe (186 KPGe)
Driving Range (estimated)
City, typical: More than 100 miles (160 km)
Combined, Label: More than 87 miles (128 km)
Emissions: Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV)

BATTERY SYSTEM: 24 KWH LIQUID-COOLED/HEATED LITHIUM-ION BATTERY
Availability: Standard — 500e
Type and Description: 24 kilowatt-hours (kWh) capacity with 97 lithium-ion cells, 364 volts
Thermal Management System: 4 mode: thermal equalization, passive cooling, active cooling and active heating
On-board Charging Module (OBCM): 6.6-kW with AC to DC transformation with Level 1 or Level 2 charging
Weight: 600 lbs
Estimated Charge Time
Level 1 (120V): less than 24 hours
Level 2 (240V): less than 4 hours
Power Inverter Module: DC-to-AC and DC-to-DC
Connector: SAE J1772

VEHICLE COOLING MODULE
Availability: Standard — 500e
Type and Description: Brazed-aluminum radiators, aluminum condenser and cooling fan

TRANSMISSION: SINGLE-SPEED AUTOMATIC
Availability: Standard on 500e
Gear Ratios
Reverse
9.59:1
Final-drive Ratio
9.59:1

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Battery: 12 volt, 500 CCA, maintenance free

SUSPENSION
Front: MacPherson suspension, coil spring with twin-tube struts and stabilizer bar
Rear: Rear twist-beam axle with coil springs and twin-tube shock absorbers

STEERING
Type: Rack and pinion with electric power steering (EPS) column
Overall Ratio: 16.3:1
Turning Diameter (curb-to-curb): 31.3 feet (9.54 m)
Steering Turns (lock-to-lock): 3.0

BRAKES
Availability: Standard on 500e
Front
Rotor size and type: 11.0 x 0.87 (284 x 22) vented with regenerative braking
Caliper size and type: 2.13 (54) single-piston with aluminum housing
Swept area: 218 sq. in (1410 sq. cm)
Rear
Rotor size and type: 9.4 x 0.4 (251 x 11) solid with regenerative braking
Caliper size and type: 1.50 (38) single-piston with aluminum housing
Swept area: 162 sq. in (1048 sq. cm)

DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES(D)
Wheelbase: 90.6 (2,300)
Track, Front: 55.4 (1,407)
Track, Rear: 55.0 (1,397)
Overall Length: 142.4 (3,617)
Overall Width: 64.1 (1,627)
Overall Height: 60.1 (1,527)
Ground Clearance: 4.5 (115)
Drag Coefficient (Cd): 0.311
Curb Weight, lb. (kg): 2,980 (1,355)
Weight Distribution, percent Front/Rear: 57 / 43
(d) All dimensions measured at curb weight with standard tires.

ACCOMMODATIONS
Seating Capacity, F/R: 2/2

Front Seat
Head room: 38.9 (989) 37.6 (956) with sunroof
Legroom: 40.7 (1,035)
Shoulder room: 49.4 (1,255)
Hip room: 47.8 (1215)
Total seat travel: Driver — 8.2 (210) Passenger — 8.2 (210)
EPA front row interior volume: 45.3 cu. ft. (1.282 cu. m)

Rear Seat
Head room: 35.5 (903)
Legroom: 27.6 (702)
Shoulder room: 46.4 (1,179)
Hip room: 42.6 (1,083)
EPA second row interior volume: 26.3 cu. ft. (0.745 cu. m)
Total Interior Volume: 71.6 cu. ft. (2.027 cu. m)
EPA Luggage Compartment Volume: 7.0 cu. ft. (0.199 cu. m)
EPA Interior Volume Index: 78.6 cu. ft. (2.226 cu. m)
Trunk Liftover Height: 28.1 (715)

TIRES
Availability: Standard on 500e
Size and type: 185/55R15 BSW All-season
Mfr. and model: Firestone Firehawk GTH
Revs per mile (km): 906 (563)

WHEELS
Availability: Standard on 500e
Type and material: Cast-aluminum, five-hole design, painted Argento (silver) with Nero (black) accented inserts
Size: 15 x 5.5 (front) and 15 x 6.5 (rear)

Availability Included with e-Sport Package on 500e
Type and material Cast-aluminum, five-hole design, painted Nero with Arancio Electrico
Perla (Electric Orange Tri-coat paint) accented inserts
Size 15 x 5.5 (front) and 15 x 6.5 (rear)

Read More:

Fiat 500e Pricing Revealed!

Fiat 500e with e-Sport Package

Fiat 500e at the Detroit Auto Show

 

Fiat 500e Gets Best Highway MPGe Rating

Join the discussion on the Fiat 500e Forum!

Source: Fiat USA

One Millionth Fiat 500 Rolls Off Assembly Line

Five years after its introduction, the Fiat 500 is still going strong. The 1 millionth Fiat 500 rolled off its European assembly line in Tychy, Poland today. The millionth car was a Fiat 500 Abarth (or, as it is known in Europe, an Abarth 500) and brings the world wide tally of Fiat 500s built to 1,100,000 cars when Toluca, Mexico production is added in.

The Fiat 500 can be a fun track day car...

Besides the good news for Fiat, this represents a significant milestone in affordable transportation, because the modern Fiat 500 is developing a legacy of making classic Italian design accessible to anyone who appreciates style with substance. You no longer have to purchase a $150,000 Ferrari to enjoy Italian design.

an elegant night on the town city car...

The hallmark of the Fiat 500 is it is highly functional and fully customizable. Its functionality can be seen with many owners using the vehicle as a family car during the week and then an enjoyable track car on weekends. With more than 500,000 possible trim and equipment combinations, there is virtually no limit to how you can personalize the 500. Ultra-sport, elegant city car or comfortable cruiser, the Fiat 500 has the design panache to pull it off.

and a practical vacation car, all rolled up into one.

Below is a list of the awards the Fiat 500 has won in the US since its introduction in 2011.

Fiat 500 Hatchback

• About.com's 2013 Reader's Choice Awards - Best Car under $17,000
• GQ Magazine Best Car 2011-GQ Best Stuff 2010
• Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) Best New Design
• Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) Best Value
• Kelley Blue Book kbb.com-Top 10 Green Cars
• Kelley Blue Book kbb.com-2011 Coolest New Cars Under $18,000
• Ruedas ESPN- Best Economy Car
• Consumer Digest Best Buy / Subcompact
• eCityofStyle Auto Style Award
• Texas Auto Media Association Readers Choice Award/Sub Compact Car
• Insurance Institute for Highway Safety 2012 Top Safety Pick (Built after July 20111)
• Travel and Leisure Magazine 2012 - Design Award/Best Designed Car
• Men's Journal Gear of the Year Award
• TFLcar,com 2012 Ten Most Fun to Drive Car Award
• Consumer Guide Recommended Pick
• Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com 2011- Top 10 Back-to-School Cars
• Travel and Leisure Magazine Design Awards/ 2012 Best Car
• Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) Sub Compact Car of Texas
• Consumer Guide Automotive - 10 Coolest Cars under $18,000
• Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com - 10 Coolest Cars under $18,000
• Strategic Vision Total Quality Index Award / Small Car Segment

Fiat 500 Cabrio

• Southern Automotive Media Association - Best Small Convertible of the Year (2011)
• Green Car Reports Best gas mileage 4-seat convertible
• Southern Automotive Media Association - Fiat 500 by Gucci Best Small Convertible of the Year (2012)

Fiat 500 Abarth

• MotorWeek's Driver's Choice Award for Best Sport Coupe
• Hispanic Motor Press Association - 2012 Car of the Year Award/Compact Car

Fiat Brand

• MultiAir System popular Science Magazine Best of What's New - 2012
• 2012 Fiat 500 SEMA Hottest Sports Compact Car

Here is an older, partial list of some of the awards the Fiat 500 has won around the world:


2009:

"WORLD CAR DESIGN OF THE YEAR" - AWARDED BY WORLD CAR OF THE YEAR AWARD ORGANIZATION

“PRIZE OF PRIZES” - AWARDED BY THE ITALIAN MINISTRY FOR PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND INNOVATION

"BEST CITY CAR" - AWARDED BY AUTOEXPRESS-UK

"CITY CAR OF THE YEAR" - AWARDED BY BUSINESS CAR (UK)

"BEST CARS OF 2009" - AUTO MOTOR UND SPORT - GERMANY

"MY FAVORITE CARS" - QUATTRORUOTE - CITY-CAR CATEGORY

"IMPORT OF THE YEAR" OVERDRIVE - INDIA

"THE BEST CAR OF 2009" - SLOVENIA - AVTO MAGAZIN - MINI-CARS CATEGORY - (FEBRUARY ‘09)

"BEST CARS 2009" - PORTOGALLO - MOTOR PRESS MAGAZINE - MINI CATEGORY - (FEBRUARY ‘09)

FIAT 500 ABARTH - PRODUCTION POWER CAR UP TO 6000 €/KGR/HP - GREECE

2008:

Sergio Marchionne, CEO Fiat Group, receives the award Car of the Year 2008 from Ray Hutton, president of the jury

"CAR OF THE YEAR 2008"

"EUROPEAN CAR OF 2008" (UIGA)

"CAR OF THE YEAR IN ZAGREB" - "AUTO KLUB" MAGAZINE - ZAGABRIA

"CAR OF THE YEAR 2008" - (SELECTED TWICE: BY TEN MEMBERS OF THE JURY AND THE READERS OF AUTO MAGAZINE)

"TOP AUTO 2008" IN THE CITY CATEGORY - GERMANY - SELECTED BY 150 AUTOMOTIVE JOURNALISTS FROM GERMANY, SWITZERLAND AND AUSTRIA

NO. 1 CAR - READERS OF AUTO PLUS - (JANUARY '08)

"CHI E' CARS OF THE YEAR 2008" (CRISALIDE PRESS) - JANUARY '08

CAR OF THE YEAR IN THE MINI-CARS CATEGORY - L'AUTOMOBILE MAGAZINE - FRANCE - JANUARY '08

"CITY CAR OF THE YEAR" - BBC TOP GEAR - UK

"BEST SMALL CAR OF THE YEAR" - FIFTH GEAR TV - UK

"CAR OF THE YEAR" - CAR MAGAZIN - UK

BEST CAR 2008- MINI-CARS CATEGORY - BEST CARS - AUTO ILLUSTRIERTE (SWITZERLAND)

"MY FAVORITE CARS" - CITY-CAR CATEGORY - QUATTRORUOTE

NO. 1 CAR IN POLAND - JANUARY '08

"MOST BEAUTIFUL CAR ON THE WEB 2008" - INFOMOTORI

"MOST BEAUTIFUL CITY-CAR ON THE WEB 2008" - INFOMOTORI

"AUTO LEADER 2007" - POLAND - READERS OF AUTO MOTO E TWOJ STYL

"WOMEN'S CAR OF 2007 (CAR WITH IMAGINATION)" - POLAND - READERS OF TWOJ STYL

"COMPANY CAR OF 2008" SELECTED BY FIRMENAUTO (FLEETS) AND DEKKRA (GERMANY)

"CAR OF THE YEAR 2008" - UK

"CAR MAGAZINE CAR OF THE YEAR" - UK


FIFTH GEAR "SMALLCAR OF THE YEAR" - UK

AUTO EXPRESS "BEST CITY CAR 2008"

"BEST COMPACT CAR" - SURVEY OF INTERNET USERS

"BEST SMALL CAR" (IMPORTERS CATEGORY) - READERS OF AUTO ZEITUNG (GERMANY) IN THE AUTO TROPHY AWARD FOR THE SECOND CONSECUTIVE YEAR



"BEST COMPACT CAR" - JAPAN (20.11.2008)

"IMPORT OF THE YEAR" - OVERDRIVE - INDIA

"LUXURY CAR 2008" - TOP GEAR - INDIA

2007:

Harald J. Wester, Chief Technology Officer Fiat Group, receives the Euro Car Body Award from Mathias Woydt, vice president of the Automotive Circle International

"EUROCARBODY 2007" - AUTOMOTIVE CIRCLE INTERNATIONAL - FRANKFURT (GERMANY)

AUTO TROPHY (SMALL CARS CATEGORY) - READERS OF AUTO ZEITUNG - GERMANY

"MOST BEAUTIFUL CAR IN THE WORLD" - (ITALY - MUSEUM SRL)

"SALES ACHIEVEMENT TROPHY" (L'AUTOMOBILE MAGAZINE) DECEMBER 2007

"CAR DESIGN OF THE YEAR 2007" - UK

"NEW CAR OF THE YEAR" - (QUATTRORUOTE)

Felipe Massa-Ferrari Formula 1 Driver

Related:

Articles on Fiat Awards

 

Inside the Fiat 500 factory...

 

Behind the scenes at the North American Fiat 500 factory

 

Next Gen Fiat 500 to Come From Poland