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Thursday, June 27, 2013

Fiat 500LConfigurator Open!

Fiat 500L Fun!

The Fiat 500L configurator has been posted on the Fiat USA website.  The configurator allows you to find the exact 500L for your lifestyle - from the stylish Pop to the rugged Trekking.  The Fiat 500L started arriving at Fiat Studios earlier this month and has already been doing a brisk business. With best in class leg, head and shoulder room including rear cargo space, the Fiat 500L offers a unique European experience in a segment filled with the usual bland offerings.



 Fiat 500L website


 


Friday, June 21, 2013

Fiat's EnvironmentallySexy.com


Fiat 500e EnvironmentallySexy

Ask anyone who has one, and they will tell you there is nothing like owning an Italian car. The fun and creative designs build an emotional connection that can truly be likened to an actual romance. Fiat has come up with a way for you to begin this love affair with the program called EnvironmentallySexy.com. The website where you find the perfect Fiat for your lifestyle. Similar in feel to a matchmaking site, EnvironmentallySexy.com is innovative, informative, and fun to use. It is designed to help California based consumers navigate the various financial offers available to residents and facilitate choosing the right Fiat 500e for them.

Check out the full details of the program below and then make sure you stop by the EnvironmentallySexy.com website and see what it's all about!



Find Your Eco-Partner at EnvironmentallySexy.com
  • FIAT brand launches matchmaking site for people who love the environment, Italian design and electric cars
Does your planet-saving sexiness keep you from finding true love? Are you hot, eco-friendly and love to take charge? If you answered yes, the FIAT brand has the perfect mate waiting for you at www.EnvironmentallySexy.com.

Created to introduce the all-new 2013 Fiat 500e, EnvironmentallySexy.com has the fun and flirty feel of a matchmaking site. The site is filled with information geared toward the California-based consumer providing them with the insight they need to select the right vehicle, find out about potential rebates they may be eligible for and identify charging stations located across the state. The 2013 Fiat 500e will arrive at California FIAT studios this summer.

“Our goal is to simplify the decision-making process on the purchase or lease of a 2013 Fiat 500e by arming consumers with information that is not only informative, but conveyed in an easy-to-understand manner,” said Jason Stoicevich, Head of FIAT Brand North America. “The Fiat 500e is not your typical battery-electric vehicle; it’s innovative, stylish, fun to drive and affordable. It was essential to design a site that would match the vehicle’s persona and encourage visitors to test drive and ultimately purchase or lease a Fiat 500e.”



EnvironmentallySexy.com has the feel of a matchmaking site, but delivers information on the vehicle in formats, such as quizzes and videos. Homeowners, renters and apartment-dwellers will find information that is tailored to their specific needs. The site also will analyze a customer’s lifestyle to match the appropriate Fiat 500 model that fit their needs.

Meet the Couples Who Found Their Match on EnvironmentallySexy.com
Environmentally-sexy power couples, Fabrizio and Kimberly, and Ryan and Sofia, found true love using EnvironmentallySexy.com. These couples detail their love of the environment and the Fiat 500e through a series of video testimonials.




Fabrizio and Kimberly
Meet Fabrizio - He’s an Italian eco-fashion model who loves the environment almost as much as he loves seeing his face on the covers of magazines or on the chrome of his espresso machine.

Meet Kimberly - She’s a sassy and environmentally-sophisticated gal whose adoration for Fabrizio has introduced her to the many pleasures of the Italian-designed Fiat 500e.




Ryan and Sofia
Meet Sofia – Not only is Sofia a gorgeous, Italian game show host, but she’s also a lawyer who can rattle off the differences between federal credits and state incentives as easily as it is to search for the perfect Fiat 500e on EnvironmentallySexy.com.

Meet Ryan – He can’t get enough of Sofia and her knowledge of the Fiat 500e. Whatever Sofia says, Ryan eats it up like Italian gelato on a hot summer day.

EnvironmentallySexy.com was created in partnership with SapientNitro of Miami.


Press release courtesy of Fiat USA

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Fiat Italian Invasion Ad

Fiat Italian Invasion

Fiat previewed a new commercial for the new Fiat 500L at its media launch held in Baltimore last week. Here is a sneak peek at the ad!


Fiat Italian Invasion Ad

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Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Register Now for the 2013 Fiat FreakOut!

Abarth at 2012 Fiat FreakOut

Update: The deadline has been extended through July 1st.  Afterwards, late fees and a hotel rate increase will apply.

Attention Fiat fans and owners! The June 29th registration deadline for the 2013 Fiat FreakOut is drawing near. What's the Fiat FreakOut? Only the largest get together of Fiat Group cars in North America! Specifically it is the Fiat Club America's national convention, a four day event that is filled with cars, activities and enjoyable, fun people. This year's Fiat FreakOut starts Thursday, July 18th and runs through Sunday, July 21st.


Spiders at 2012 Fiat FreakOut


The 30th annual Fiat FreakOut will be held on the famed Gold Coast area in Long Island, New York. The Hyatt Regency in Hauppauge, Long Island is headquarters for the event and the club has secured a special rate that ends June 29th. The rooms are filling up fast, so you really need to jump on this fast. Also, getting your registration in now will help the club organizers ensure a smooth event.



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

Fiat 500 at 2012 FreakOut


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** Schedule subject to change

Sunday, June 16, 2013

Fiat 500L Fuel Economy Ratings Released!


The Fiat 500L fuel economy ratings have been released and they show the versatile multi-purpose vehicle with the standard 6 speed manual gearbox is rated at 33 MPG highway, 25 MPG city for a combined total of 28 MPG! The powerful Fiat 500L features best in class horsepower and torque ratings (160 HP and 184 lbs-ft of torque) and gives the roomy 5 door sprightly performance. When teamed up with the euro Twin-Clutch 6 speed transmission, the 500L still maintains its 33 MPG highway rating and loses just 1 MPG from its city figure, for an overall 27 MPG combined rating.

The Fiat 500L has been arriving at Fiat Studios all over the country during the past week and have already started flying out of the showroom.  Stick around as we take a look at the newest Fiat that promises to be a revelation in its segment!


*Astute readers will notice there will be a conventional hydraulic torque converter equipped automatic transmission that will also be offered in the Fiat 500L. This is designed to cater to those who are used to traditional automatic transmissions and do not need the manual shifting capability of the performance oriented European Twin-Clutch transmission. Expect to see the six speed conventional automatic make its debut in the beginning of 2014.


 

Thursday, June 13, 2013

Inside the New Alfa Romeo 4C



The Alfa Romeo 4C is a stunning example of Italian design and engineering. Carrying on a legacy of making legendary high performance cars, the new Alfa Romeo 4C is poised to become an instant classic. The concept guiding Alfa Romeo was to create an "affordable supercar" with all the performance and soul that only an Italian performance car delivers yet be attainable by anyone with means. To achieve these results, the Alfa Romeo 4C has been built utilizing the most advanced and exotic manufacturing techniques.

Alfa Romeo has published a look at what goes into building the new 4C. It is posted below in its entirety for you to enjoy.



Alfa Romeo 4C: excellence made in Italy

Alfa Romeo unveils the technical contents and manufacturing secrets of the new 'compact supercar' which embodies the sportiness intrinsic to the 'Alfa Romeo DNA': performance and engineering excellence offering maximum driving satisfaction in total safety in addition to breathtaking style.


The Alfa Romeo 4C developers have combined the best technical and manufacturing competencies of two brands: Alfa Romeo and Maserati. Thanks to the internal synergies of the Fiat – Chrysler Group, the two carmakers were able to collaborate from the perspective of integrating Alfa Romeo's design roles and Maserati's manufacturing functions. The engineering and technological contribution of other Italian world-wide leaders in the component industry for high-performance sportscars has also been instrumental in achieving the result.



In particular, the Maserati plant brings in topmost quality and meticulously studied details reminiscent of hand-crafted work. As the birthplace of the world's most famous 'sportscars,' Modena and its surroundings are definitely the place that offers everything one may need to manufacture them: tradition, technology and know-how, but most of all, the same passion driving the team who conceived, designed and built the Alfa Romeo 4C.

Hi-tech materials for weight/power ratio for the supercar
• Contents and performance become an achievable dream.
• The most advanced mix of hi-tech materials combines exceptional stiffness and strength with a reduced specific weight.
• Weight/power ratio lower than 4 kg/HP and total dry weight of just 895 kg.
• The carbon fibre monocoque weighs just 65 kg.

The Alfa Romeo 4C was born from a clean slate and an idea or, rather, the clean state was the prerequisite for conceiving, developing and producing a new concept in the domain of sportscars, the "affordable supercar." The 4C was designed not only to be an exclusive car both for contents and performance, but also to become an achievable dream for Alfa Romeo fans all over the world. As a consequence, it was necessary to think in terms of limited production volumes, but still in the order of some thousands vehicles per year and, therefore, decidedly higher than those of the practically handcrafted production characterising this class.



The clean slate, which was initially free of design and manufacturing constraints, was soon assigned new parameters and presented with new challenges the first of which was a fundamental reference data point: a supercar weight/power ratio must be less than 4 kg/HP.

To achieve the right ratio, Alfa Romeo designers could have focused on horsepower (i.e.: increasing power and performance), but this would have impacted the purchase and maintenance costs, thus making the car significantly less affordable. They decided to go a different way; they reduced the car weight by using materials where lightness is combined with efficiency and by perfecting, sometimes even creating, manufacturing processes where high technology is joined to craftsmanship. In this way they were able to obtain a total dry weight of just 895 kg, a true record that makes the 4C one of the lightest cars in the world. The 4C is lighter than a city car and its weight/power ratio is less than 4 kg/HP.



In order to achieve this ambitious goal a lot of attention was devoted to the materials, each of which was chosen on the basis of its specific weight as well as on the chemical-physical, mechanical and technological properties that best fulfil the performance requirements and dynamic behaviour needs of a sports car. The 895 kg of vehicle weight mainly consist of aluminium, steel, lightened SMC and carbon fibre.

Carbon fibre
The secret of the 4C Alfa Romeo lightness and dynamic behaviour lays in the use of 10% carbon fibre, which represents 25% of the 4C overall volume. At present, carbon fibre is the material offering the best weight/stiffness efficiency. This is the reason why it was chosen for the structural function monocoque that makes up the central, load-bearing cell of the chassis. This solution combines reduced weight and excellent performance, and is already adopted for the most advanced supercargo; the monocoque weighs just 65 kg.



The monocoque was entirely designed by the Alfa Romeo specialised team and manufactured by Adler Plastic by means of an innovative manufacturing process capable of joining state-of-the-art manufacturing technology and the manual craftsmanship typical of the Italian artisans. Thanks to this approach, the 'pre-preg' technology inspired by the Formula 1 was also transferred to standard manufacturing, so much so that Alfa Romeo is the only brand capable to assure a production of over 1,000 pieces per year.

'Pre-preg' carbon fibre processed in an autoclave with vacuum bag marked the passage from piece design to material design. The monocoque has reached stress and dynamic behaviour response levels that would be unthinkable with different technologies and materials.

'Pre-preg' carbon fibres may be arranged in an optimum structural direction in relation to the forces, thus producing a result that metal would only yield if layers were overlaid, shims differentiated, and reinforcements added.



In addition, the autoclave polymerisation makes it possible to manufacture box-section structures in one phase, whereas normally the production and assembly of various components often made of different materials is required. One example would be the door post. In its standard steel version, the door pillar is comprised of approximately 6 pieces assembled to one another and to the car body at different stages of the manufacturing process.

If autoclave polymerisation is used, the door post is a one-piece component included in the load-bearing structure. The monocoque is a carbon fibre one-piece structure and, as such, it resists external stress with a clear advantage in terms of dynamic behaviour.



Aluminium
The choice of materials characterised by high torsional rigidity and reduced specific weight is a common element to all of the 4C structural parts. An example in this sense is the use of aluminium for the roof reinforcement cage and the front and rear frameworks. Just as in the previous case, some interventions aimed at reducing the weight and increasing the stiffness of the component were made in the component design and manufacturing phases. In particular, the designers replaced the traditional rectangular strut section with a newly designed section. In this way, they obtained lighter and, at the same time, safer frameworks. Frameworks are manufactured using the innovative 'Cobapress' process. Cobapress joins the advantages of fusion and the benefits of forging under press by compressing the aluminium alloy even further, thus removing any residual porosity. All this determines the component lightening to the advantage of its mechanical properties.



In addition, thanks to the use of seam welding processes, the welding is very precise, the components are not deformed and the filling of the gaps is excellent.

Aluminium also plays the main role in the hybrid-type front brake discs with aluminium bell and cast iron ring gear. This patented technology developed by SHW guarantees up to 2 kg of weight reduction per disc in addition to better braking. Furthermore, the sophisticated surface finishing technology by brushing increases grip and pedal feeling whereas the innovative release system between disc and bell guarantees a more comfortable and safer braking. The difference in the thermal expansion coefficients of cast iron and aluminium is compensated by specific steel radial pins that accurately transmit the braking action.



SMC (Sheet Moulding Compound)
Using SMC (Sheet Moulding Compound), a low-density and high resistance composite material, for the body has allowed a 20% weight reduction in comparison with the traditional sheet steel. The Alfa Romeo 4C is the first standard production car to achieve such a high percentage of low-density SMC: with a weight of 1.5 g/cm³ this material is decidedly lighter than steel (~7.8 g/cm³) and aluminium (~2.7 g/cm³), besides being more malleable. This feature has allowed for the styling and design freedom that were necessary to create a true, instantly recognisable Alfa Romeo. Moreover SMC is a stable material which, unlike aluminium, does not strain in the event of minor impacts, has high resistance to chemicals and atmospheric agents, and also disperses noise very well to the advantage of acoustic comfort.


Finally, low-density SMC guarantees a good functional integration of the parts; this in turn entails a reduction in the number of components and operations, and requires shorter assembly times, thus lowering production costs.



PUR-RIM (injected polyurethane)
The PUR-RIM (injected polyurethane) was chosen for bumpers and wings for the same reasons described above. It is a lightweight material (it weighs 20% less than steel) suitable for creating very complex design elements, such as the 4C wing, and for keeping an ideal cost/production volume ratio.



Windows
In the search for the lowest possible weight, no material was ignored, not even glass. In the case of glass, the lightening was obtained by adopting a real silhouette-thinning approach: all the window glasses are on average around 10% thinner than those normally fitted on cars; this allows for an average weight reduction of 15%. The windscreen in particular is only 4 mm thick. This is an extraordinary result especially in consideration of the fact that this particularly aerodynamic shape is difficult to obtain on such thin glass.


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Source: Fiat Group Press

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Fiat 500 Abarth Cabrio: Best Small Convertible

Fiat 500 Abarth Cabrio

Score another win for the Fiat 500! The Fiat 500 Abarth Cabrio has just been voted Best Small Convertible by the Southern Automotive Media Association (SAMA) during its third annual "Topless in Miami" event. The event brings together automotive journalists from around the Southern Florida area and has them choose the best open top cars available.

This year, the Fiat 500 Abarth Cabrio was selected, beating out the Volkswagen Beetle, Mazda MX-5 Miata and Smart EV. This is the third consecutive year that SAMA has picked a Fiat. In 2011, the Fiat 500 Cabrio took top honors, followed in 2012 by the Fiat 500 by Gucci Cabrio.

Jason Stoicevich, Head of FIAT Brand North America, released a statement saying:

“We want to thank SAMA for recognizing the FIAT brand for the third consecutive time. The Fiat 500 Abarth is the most affordable and fuel-efficient high-performance car in America, and now the Fiat 500 Abarth Cabrio gives you a front-row seat to better hear the raspy signature sound of the Abarth-tuned dual exhausts.”

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Win a Fiat 500 Abarth Cabrio with the Score a Scorpion Contest!

Fiat Score a Scorpion Contest

Fiat's Score a Scorpion contest is back and this time they are giving away a new Fiat 500 Abarth Cabrio! What is "Score a Scorpion" you ask? It's a fun contest that Fiat introduced last year that became hugely popular. To play, you follow clues to collect "Scorpions" all over the internet for a chance to win an exclusive Abarth Experience or even a brand new Fiat 500 Abarth Cabrio.


Monday, June 3, 2013

Fiat 500 Sales for May 2013

Fiat 500c Abarth Cabrio rendering

Fiat 500 sales totals for May 2013 are in and once again, Fiat has set another sales record! Fiat sold 4,051 cars last month; the highest May sales figures recorded since the brand reintroduction in 2011. May sales totals were up 1 percent over last May's sales, the fifteenth consecutive month that Fiat has set a record for year-over-year sales gains. Additionally, Fiat 500 sales also showed a 4 percent increase over April sales, continuing an upwards sales trend for the year. Currently, 17,562 Fiat 500s have been sold in the US this year - that is a 5 percent increase over the same period last year.

Factoring sales in from Canada and Mexico, there have been 100,000 Fiat 500s sold in North America since 2011! What's more is, Fiat sales this year have the potential to explode with the upcoming introduction of the highly versatile and fun Fiat 500L in June and all-electric Fiat 500e later this summer.


Fiat 500c Abarth Cabrio interior

Look back at May
Fiat kicked off May with exciting news that the limited production Fiat 500 by Gucci will be back for a final run this year and will offer an option package called the Interno Notte edition that brings out the sporty side of the elegant Gucci model.


First shipment of Fiat 500L MPVs arrived in America last week

Fiat also announced the pricing of the new Fiat 500L MPV that will hit Fiat Studios this month. The Fiat 500L is an outstanding example of European design - roomy, practical yet full of Italian flair. Loaded with features and offering best in class roominess, the Fiat 500L will be a revelation to a segment filled with the usual bland offerings.


Fiat USA has become known for its high profile TV Commercials and social media campaign and May highlighted two. The latest eye catching Fiat TV commercial shows off recording artists Pitbull and Arianna partying with the Fiat 500. Fiat's social media gurus have also been busy with contests and promotions. Make sure you visit Fiat's Facebook page to get in on them!


Other Fiat news is registration for the 30th annual Fiat FreakOut was announced. Fiat FreakOut is the largest gathering of Fiat enthusiasts here in North America and is an event that shouldn't be missed! Follow the link below to read more about the Fiat FreakOut:



Fiat 500 Sales in the United States - Jan - May 2013
Fiat 500Current MonthLast YearVol ChangeCurrent YTD TotalLast Year YTD TotalVol Change
May 2013      4,051  4,003      1%        17,562        16,702   5%
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%