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Tuesday, October 12, 2010

A look at the North American Fiat 500 Sport


The North American Fiat 500 Sport*


Fiat North America gave us a preview of the long awaited North American version of the Fiat 500. We've been speculating on what the US 500 would look like (read here), and now that it is finally revealed, the consensus is positive.

The version previewed was the Sport but there are still two other versions, the Pop and Lounge, that have not been shown. What is not known is if the two upcoming versions will use the same bumpers as the Sport.

Let's take a look at the 500 Sport

The design work for the North American Fiat 500 Sport was done in Italy, at Fiat's design studio called Centro Stile, under the leadership of Roberto Giolito (the original designer of the 2007 European 500). Giolito and his team have given the 500 Sport a decidedly sporting nature. With some similarities to the overtly aggressive 500 Abarth, the 500 Sport has a sophisticated lower grille design with well integrated fog lights and a small lower lip spoiler.



The Fiat 500 Sport



The upper portion of the bumper on the 500 Sport is nearly identical to the European 500 with perhaps some subtle changes to the shape, the big differences are to the lower areas. A traditional sporty 3 opening lower grille features a mesh grille design with integrated fog lights. The outer grille areas where these fog lights reside look to be solid and not open.



Comparing to the 500 Abarth, the fog lights of the 500 Sport are in a more traditional location.




The design of the lower grille area on the 500 Sport is less busy and maybe more logical. But wait...



...there is a reason for the grille design on the Abarth. The Abarth features twin side mounted intercoolers and has had some very sophisticated aerodynamics done to the bumper to insure sufficient airflow through them. You would expect nothing less in an Abarth and from Fiat, the company which owns Ferrari.



Sideskirts




The sides skirts on the 500 Sport are similar to its European cousin, but don't come up as high.

Under its skin, it is widely reported the new 500 will have an updated chassis that features even more high strength steel and a lower curb weight when compared to the European version. Also anticipated is the chassis will feature improved NVH (Noise Vibration Harshness) characteristics.

Read more about the upgraded chassis here

US sidemarkers





Required US side markers are nicely integrated into the design.

Tailgate




The 500 Sport will have a new tailgate the accommodates the shape of a US license plate, which is narrower than European spec plates.

The rear bumper



Pictures of the rear don't show much other than a rear design somewhat mirrors the front with a 3 grille effect and a small under the bumper lip/diffuser. The outboard areas incorporate a reflector.

More images to come...

In the next few weeks weeks, expect to see more information and pictures of the Fiat 500 released. As soon as that happens, we'll post them here.

In the meantime, go to Fiat USA's official website here and sign up for the latest news.


*Images courtesy of Chrysler Media

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

I hope I'm not the only one, but secretly I was hoping they would keep the wider (euro) license plate tailgate for the US model! Still, you have to give them credit, the American 500 is stunning.

Anonymous said...

Very nice...and thanks again for the best photos and posts about the new 500 coming to the US...

Now if you can get your sources to show us the Prima model and get the specs and price on that, that would be nice...considering that model will be here first, well it would be nice to know more about it before putting my cash down :)

Thanks again

Gavin

Vale said...

The rear bumper is not so beautiful, if you watch it with much attention, you'll see that is very very similar to the Mini.....

The front bumper instead is very beautiful, it looks very sporty, and it's much much better than the italian one (for the sport model only)...

Anonymous said...

You seriously ROCK!!!! Thank you for THE best Fiat fan website anywhere!!! Don't know how i'd survive without your updates! Seriously. Thank you so much!

Fiat500USA.com said...

Anonymous said...
I hope I'm not the only one, but secretly I was hoping they would keep the wider (euro) license plate tailgate for the US model! Still, you have to give them credit, the American 500 is stunning

Hey I love European spec cars (not a big DOT or EPA fan), but, like you said, the 500 does look great so I'm happy with the redesign. AND it was done in Italy, by Giolito and crew (which is, by the way, a news scoop)!

Fiat500USA.com said...

Anonymous said...
"Very nice...and thanks again for the best photos and posts about the new 500 coming to the US...

Now if you can get your sources to show us the Prima model and get the specs and price on that, that would be nice...considering that model will be here first, well it would be nice to know more about it before putting my cash down :)

Thanks again

Gavin "

Well thank YOU for stopping by and checking this site out!

We are down to crunch time and I think the news is going to start flying soon....remember, it's 4 weeks to the unveiling at the LA Auto Show.

Fiat500USA.com said...

Vale said...
"The rear bumper is not so beautiful, if you watch it with much attention, you'll see that is very very similar to the Mini.....

The front bumper instead is very beautiful, it looks very sporty, and it's much much better than the italian one (for the sport model only)... "

I'm keeping an open mind on the rear until I see more.

Fiat500USA.com said...

Anonymous said...
"You seriously ROCK!!!! Thank you for THE best Fiat fan website anywhere!!! Don't know how i'd survive without your updates! Seriously. Thank you so much!"

WOW, what can I say, except thank you for that!

Unknown said...

Ive just got one of the first 500 Cinquecento Prima Edizione which come available on waiting list. Can't wait,

Ben in Florida

Anonymous said...

Welcome to the Club, Ben! David, #473, from southern Cal.

Anonymous said...

Looks like Chrysler will be off to a great start, its been years since I have owned a Chrysler product but after seeing what will be offered I just might have to give up my foreign car love. Don't be like GM and keep promising a product and then don't come up with it for years. The 500 Fiat, WOW, I have wanted one of those for years, get them on the market NOW, I think your biggest problem with that car is getting enough of them......

Anonymous said...

I'm getting a 500 regardless of how it's equipped, but want the company to know that at least for one customer the 4 most important accessories I hope to get are:
-Xenon headlights
-Auto ON headlamps
-Heated seats
-6 disc in-dash CD player