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Monday, February 24, 2014

Register Now for the Fiat on the Dragon Event!

Fiat 500 Abarth at Tail of the Dragon


A Fiat 500 and a windy, mountain road. Nothing is more perfect. Italy is a land of mountains and Fiats since the beginning were designed to thrive on these mountain roads. Nimble handling, excellent brakes and good gearing are Fiat hallmarks. There is no better way to enjoy these attributes than to attend the semi-annual Fiat on the Dragon Event.

Some may be familiar with the mountain pass called Tail of the Dragon, nestled deep in the Smoky Mountains on the North Carolina/Tennessee state line. The road is a car enthusiast's dream with 318 curves packed into its 11 miles, winding through a truly gorgeous part of the country. Registration for the Spring Fiat on the Dragon Event is happening now. The Spring Fiat on the Dragon Event is more than just a drive, though. There are family-friendly events planned, both at the host motel and in the area, throughout the weekend. There will be organized sightseeing drives, food, social time, bonfires, raffles and much more.

Fiat on the Dragon Event


The semi - annual Fiat on the Dragon Event kicked off spring of last year and has become a big hit with all who attend. The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly. Groups are broken up so you can drive leisurely or spirited. There is plenty of time to mingle and enjoy looking at cars in the beautiful North Carolina and Tennessee countryside. Driving the Tail of the Dragon is an experience you will never forget. Don't miss it!


The Spring Fiat on the Dragon Event will be held on April 4 - 6. Base hotel is the Tally Ho Inn in Townsend, Tennesee. Here are important links:




Make sure you mention the event to get a discounted rate. Get there Thursday, April 3 because the event starts early Friday morning.


Fiat 500 USA Forum has been named the official forum of the event and is a proud sponsor. Below is the official thread:


Fiat 500 Abarth at Deals Gap

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

2014 Fiat 500, 500L and 500 Abarth Accessories Catalog

Fiat 500 Abarth with Mopar Accessories

The official 2014 Fiat 500, 500L and Fiat 500 Abarth Accessories Catalog has just been released and is here for your enjoyment! The Fiat 500 is one of the most customizable cars on the planet, with more than 500,000 possible combinations of trims and accessories available when it is ordered, but it doesn't stop there! Once you get your Fiat, there is a whole range of accessories you can add whenever the mood hits.

Fiat 500 Mopar Accessories

Below is the official Fiat Mopar Accessories Catalog to browse through to help get those creative ideas flowing. Sporty, mild or wild, it's all in the catalog. The parts are genuine Fiat accessories so you don't have to worry about fitment and they are all available through your local Fiat Studio. Make sure you call or drop by your Fiat Studio for up to date information.



Contact the following top Fiat Studios for more details:

Criswell FIAT of Gaithersburg, Maryland - 1-888-878-2488

FIAT of Austin, Texas - 1-877-908-3428

Palmen FIAT of Kenosha, Wisconsin - 1-888-379-0295

Benson FIAT, South Carolina - 1-888-380-1716

FIAT of Larchmont, New York - 1-888-405-2249

Fiat 500 Key Covers

Read more:



Monday, February 17, 2014

How to Reboot the Fiat 500e Electric Vehicle

Fiat 500e Instrument Panel

The Fiat 500e all electric vehicle has been widely acclaimed by the experts and owners alike as a stylish, fun to drive car. Combining the award winning Fiat 500 with an advanced EV drivetrain at an affordable price has made the Fiat 500e a surefire winner.

Like any new technology, there is a learning curve where owners and the public get familiar with its operation and behaviors. On rare occurrences, if there is an issue with an electric vehicle, they may need to be reset or rebooted much like a computer. The following is a post from the Fiat 500 USA Forum that can help an owner of a Fiat 500e that has an issue with its operation. It's a quick and easy check that can keep you on the road. We'd like to thank forum member "inthemovie" for their helpful post in response to a member who had the "Service Electric Vehicle System" warning light illuminate.

You can solve these issues by this fix. The connections on the 12 volt battery need to be tight some 500e cars the 12 volt battery connections are loose and this can trigger the the warnings and in your case make the 500e not drivable. I'm including pictures so you can see how to fix this and reboot the 500e. Electric cars are very complex and 500e can only be rebooted this way. Other electric cars like the Volt can be rebooted by shutting the car down and opening the driver door.

The 500e cannot be rebooted this way. You can have to disconnect power from the 12 volt battery to reset the car. By performing this task I have eliminated the problem you have and I have eliminated the problem that few others have had of grinding braking when stopping. The 500e is very sensitive and to protect the main battery and other systems and it will go into a limp mode and in some cases the 500e will not be able to drive at all.

You can fix this very easy and and I encourage all 500e owners to make sure these connections are secure.

Fiat 500e Motor Cover

First remove this cover by pulling it up. It just pulls right off.

Now you will see the 12 volt car battery and it's the positive connection that we will remove to reset the 500e.

Fiat 500e Battery


Pull off the red plastic cover on the positive side of the 12 volt battery. You will see two ten millimeter nuts. Loosen the one the wrench is on then you can remove the terminal from the battery post.

Fiat 500e Battery Terminal


Keep the terminal disconnected for sixty seconds. Now put the terminal back on the positive battery post with one hand holding it there and with the one hand tighten the ten millimeter nut. Make sure the the other ten millimeter nut right next to this one is tight as well. ( mine was loose and causing the same problem as OP) also check the ten millimeter nut on the negative side a make sure it's tight.

Now turn on the 500e and the error code message will be gone. If not turn the 500e on and off five times and the codes will clear.

Fiat 500e and 10mm Wrench



I keep this ten millimeter wrench in the back of each 500e that I own. As this electric car is a very complex machine and like a computer is might need to be reset. And the only way to to this is the way I described above. Since resetting one of my 500e's back in November I have had no more error messages and that 500e has thousands of miles on it. I have also checked the nuts on the other 500e's that I own and made sure they were tight and have had no trouble with those cars as well.




Disclaimer: The information is provided for informational and entertainment purposes only. The Fiat 500e has a long warranty, so if you have any doubts on you ability to do this work or have any issues, I recommend having it done by a professional. I am not responsible for any issues arriving from you reading this post. Use at your own risk.

Images: fiatgojo, inthemovie

Friday, February 14, 2014

Happy Valentine's Day From Fiat


Fun Valentine's Day advertisement from Fiat.

Discover the love spirit of Fiat 500 on Saint Valentine's day and spend a great journey with your lover. Happy Saint Valentine's Day!

Fiat 500 Wishes You Happy Valentine's Day


Hot New Fiat 500L Beats Edition Debuts!

Fiat 500L Beats Edition


The new Fiat 500L Beats Edition makes its debut in Italy this week. This special edition Fiat is based on the rugged 500L Trekking and features the high end BeatsAudio stereo system and unique trim. The new model is going on sale in Italy this week and will be rolled out to the rest of Europe shortly. With luck, we may see something similar here in North America.


2014 Fiat 500L Beats Edition

Fiat 500L Beats Edition Sophisticated Urban Look
On the outside, the Fiat 500L Beats Edition is characterised by a classy two-tone grey/black paint job in matte or glossy finish and augmented by red and satin chrome trim. Color combinations are grey body/black roof, both with matte paint, or black/grey or grey/black with glossy paint. The trim features satin chrome accents on the mirror fairings, front 'whiskers' and tailgate handle, and matte black painted wheel flares, skirts, bumpers and 17" alloy wheels. Completing the look are red inserts on the mirror fairings and red brake calipers.

Fiat 500L Beats Edition dashboard

Inside, the Fiat 500L Beats Edition uses a distinctive 'Total Black' environment with new eco-leather black trim with red stitching. The matte grey dashboard combined with the Total Black trim and red stitching on the seats and '500' logo on the front backrest makes for an attractive interior.

Fiat 500L Beats Edition front seat

Signature Beats Sound System
Star of the Fiat 500L Beats Edition is the premium sound system developed by recording artist and producer Dr. Dre and Interscope Geffen A&M Records chairman and record producer Jimmy Iovine called BeatsAudio. The two audio experts worked together with Fiat Group sound engineers to develop and calibrate the sound system that offers a premium listening experience.

Fiat 500L Beats Edition rear seat


The BeatsAudio system boasts 520 W of total power, divided between two 80 W (Ø 165 mm) mid-woofer speakers placed in the lower part of the front door panel; two 40 W (Ø 38 mm) tweeter speakers placed in the upper part of the front door panel; two 60 W (Ø 165 mm) full-range speakers placed in the rear door panel; and one 80 + 80 W (Ø 165 mm) subwoofer located in the trunk The BeatsAudio system is complete with an amplifier with DSP and 8 channels that integrate an advanced equalisation algorithm, recreating the sound spectrum similar to what an artist experiences during studio recordings.



Engines
The Fiat 500L Beats Edition is available with two gas engines - 120 HP 1.4 T-Jet and 105 HP 0.9 TwinAir Turbo - and two turbodiesel engines: 105 HP 1.6 MultiJet II and 120 HP 1.6 MultiJet II.

The two cylinder 0.9L TwinAir Turbo produces 105 HP @ 5500 rpm in normal mode and 98 HP @ 5750 in Eco mode. Torque is 145 Nm (107 lb.-ft) @ 2000 rpm in normal mode and 120 Nm (89 lb.-ft) @ 1750 rpm. Fuel economy using the European combined cycle standard is 5.1 l/100 km or 46 mpg.

Fiat 500L Beats Edition mirror cap

The 1.6 MultiJet II boasts high torque at low engine speeds making it highly flexible while achieving outstanding fuel economy. Interestingly, both the 120 HP and the 105 HP versions produce the same 320 Nm (236 lb.-ft) of torque at 1750 rpm. The 105 HP engine gets a little better fuel economy - 4.7 l/100 km (50 mpg) compared to 4.8 l/100 km (49 mpg) in the combined cycle. Servicing is every two years or 36,000 km.

The gasoline 1.4L T-Jet engine has a maximum of 120 HP (88 kW) achieved at 5000 rpm, and a maximum of torque of 215 Nm (159 lb.-ft) at 2500 rpm. Fuel economy is rated at 5.7 l/100 km (41 mpg) using the European testing standard. Servicing is every 30,000 Km (18,600 miles). Fiat is the European leader in LPG Natural Gas vehicles, and the LPG version of the 120 HP 1.4L T-Jet achieves 7.2 l/100 km or 33 mpg.

Fiat 500L Beats Edition allot wheel

Traction +
The Fiat 500L Beats Edition offers as standard smart front-wheel drive with Traction+ technology which, together with the standard Mud and Snow tires, improves the vehicle's handling on terrain with poor grip. Traction+ works by using the All-Speed Traction Control which reduces engine torque as well as applying the brakes in certain condition. Torque is reduced by closing the throttle valve.

If the wheel slip is severe enough to require throttle intervention, All-Speed Traction Control will reduce engine torque and sometimes even up shift the transmission (automatic trans) to avoid the condition. In milliseconds, All-Speed Traction Control interrogates the engine control system to determine the current torque output, determines how much the torque output the current conditions will allow, and signals this requirement to the engine control system, which reduces the torque by partially closing the throttle. With the execution of the torque reduction, the brake system reduces brake pressure to make the transition smooth, while maintaining forward progress.


Fiat 500L Beats Special Edition

Throttle control makes the vehicle less reliant on brake application alone to maintain traction, increasing the operating speed range and more closely modulates speed, resulting in smoother operation. By reducing engine power, braking effectiveness is maintained , and the system can operate throughout the normal vehicle speed range. That is why the system is identified as providing “all-speed” traction control. All Fiat 500 models sold in the United States use this advanced traction control system.

Fiat 500L Beats Edition interior


Equipment
The Fiat 500L Beats Edition comes fully equipped with automatic climate control, power rear windows, fog lights, the Traction+ system, 17" alloy wheels, the Mud and Snow tires, the Uconnect system with 5" touchscreen, automatic headlights, rain sensor and privacy windows.

Expect to see more special edition Fiat 500L models showing up in Europe as well as North America. We'll be watching!

Read more:



Fiat 500L Beats Edition roof

Thursday, February 13, 2014

Sign Up For The 2014 Abarth Experience

Fiat 500 Abarth at Abarth Experience

Attention Fiat 500 Abarth owners! The 2014 Abarth Experience calendar has been posted. For those who don't know, the Abarth Experience is a track day like experience included in the purchase of a new Fiat 500 Abarth. During the Abarth Experience, owners learn from professional high performance driving instructors how to exploit all the performance of the Fiat 500 Abarth, in a safe and controlled race track environment. Last year, Consumer Reports visited the Abarth Experience and had a blast. In 2012, the Abarth Experience was ranked the number one car manufacturer's provided driving school by Automobile Magazine. Don't miss your shot at getting an Abarth on a race track!



The Abarth Experience Itinerary:
•Abarth Autocross — Horsepower. Handling. Brakes. Speed.
•Abarth Head-to-Head Challenge — Two Drivers. One Track. Who Will Triumph?
•Abarth Driving Dynamics — Learn Precision Skills from a Seasoned Professional.
•Abarth Performance Drive — Show Us What You've Got


The 2014 schedule is has just been posted so make sure you visit the site as soon as possible because the events begin this month and you don't want to miss the venue near you. You need to have taken delivery of your 500 Abarth to register and have your VIN handy.






Fiat 500 Abarth hard cornering

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

New Fiat 500L Mirage TV Ad

Fiat 500L Mirage Commercial

A new global TV commercial for the Fiat 500L debuted last night. The commercial named "Mirage," features a pair lost in the desert that think the Fiat 500L they see is a mirage because they don't believe that a Fiat can have four doors and be so roomy. Sean "Diddy" Combs also is featured, promoting his new TV channel "Revolt TV." The commercial introduces the 500L's new tagline "Unbelievably Big." It Is used to tell the story that Fiat makes large cars too.



The TV spots run in Europe will show the new 500L "Beats Edition" available at the moment only in Europe. Below is a preview of the modified European version of the commercial.




Fiat 500L Beats Edition

Fiat 500L Beats Edition

Read more:


Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Fiat 500 Sales Resilient



Seven years after its 2007 European introduction the Fiat 500 continues to be a sales phenomenon. Most model's sales fall off drastically as the model ages, however the Fiat 500 bucks that trend. Last year, the Fiat 500 was Europe's best selling city-car. Even in the US, three years after its debut in 2011 the Fiat 500 is a force to be reckoned with. In January, Fiat USA, with just two models, the 500 and 500L outsold the entire seven car lineup of MINI USA. 3,222 to 2,543.

Fiat 500 Market Share
Sales performance of the Fiat 500 in Europe. The dotted line marks the typical life cycle curve of a traditional A-Segment model, however Fiat 500 sales have remained consistently strong and resilient throughout. Last year the Fiat 500 was the best selling A-segment car in Europe. This minicar segment is Europe's second largest car segment and the 500 has run neck and neck with the Fiat Panda for top honors for the past six years. Between the 500 and Panda, Fiat sold 312,419 cars compared to runner-up Volkswagen with 202,343 cars spread among its three cars in the segment.

In The US
This is not an isolated occurrence, either. So far this year the Fiat 500 (2,493) has outsold the Chevrolet Spark (1,844), the Mitsubishi MiEV (1), the Scion iQ (166) Smart ForTwo (521), Hyundai Veloster (1,821), Mini Cooper (1,358) and Scion Tc (1,107), Toyota Yaris (1,005) Volkswagen Beetle 2,034, Volkswagen Golf 1,712 and Mazda 2 (907).

Fiat 500 Abarth

But it gets better. If you're thinking it's a fluke and the 500 just had a good month, Here is a list of popular cars that the Fiat 500 has outsold for the past two straight years: Hyundai Veloster, VW Golf, Mazda 2, Scion Tc, Scion IQ, Smart ForTwo, Chevrolet Spark and Toyota Yaris. Despite falling small car sales in the US, the Fiat 500 has kept its lead over its competitors.

What seems obvious with all this is the unique, timeless design of the Fiat 500 keeps the car fresh and engaging. I think the over 1.1 million Fiat 500 owners worldwide would agree.

Fiat 500 Competitor's Sales Totals for 2013-2012
Total Sales 2013 Total Sales 2012

Fiat 500
 35,83443,772

Hyundai 
Veloster

 30,711
    
34,872

Volkswagen
Golf

 30,971
    
40,885

Toyota
Yaris

 21,342
    
30,590

Mazda 2

 11,757
    
19,315

Chevrolet Spark

 34,130
    
12,385

Scion Tc

 19,094
    
22,666

Scion iQ

 4,046
    
8,879

Smart ForTwo

 9,264
    
10,009

Update: The Fiat 500 has once again outsold its well known competitors in 2014:


Fiat 500 2014 Sales - 33,708
VW Golf 2014 Sales -- 33,675
MINI Cooper 2014 Sales -- 31385
VW Beetle 2014 Sales -- 29,182
Hyundai Veloster 2014 Sales -- 27,598
Scion Tc 2014 Sales -- 17,947
Mitsubishi Mirage 2014 Sales -- 16,708
Toyota Yaris 2014 Sales -- 13,724
Smart Fortwo 2014 Sales -- 10,453
Smart iQ 2014 Sales -- 2,040

Read more:

Sources: Manufacturer's data, Automotive News, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Fiat 500 Sales for January 2014

Fiat 500L

Fiat kicked off the new year on a high note. January is traditionally the slowest month for car sales; however, Fiat recorded a 29 percent increase over last year. It was the best January the Fiat brand had since its introduction. Fiat sold a total of 3,222 units last month compared to 2,503 cars in 2013, and 1911 in 2012 (Fiat began deliveries of the 500 in March 2011).

Fiat sales were bolstered with end of model year incentives that topped $5,000 on certain models. This helped Fiat 500 Abarth sales soar 56 percent over last January's. Conversely, Fiat 500L sales dipped to the second lowest since the car's introduction last June.

Overall Fiat 500 sales were good taking into account industry wide slow sales of small cars and frigid weather affecting an unusually wide portion of the country. For perspective, Fiat with just two models (the 500 and the 500L) outsold the entire seven car lineup of MINI last month (3,222 for Fiat vs. 2,543 for MINI). That's an impressive feat.

Fiat 500L Trekking

January News
January brought news that Fiat completely took ownership of Chrysler, and the two companies are one. The newly combined Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Group is the seventh largest car maker in the world. Pricing for the new Fiat 500 GQ Edition was released, and the 500 won yet another award.

This time, the Fiat 500 earned a Polk Automotive Loyalty Award in the Non-Luxury Traditional Subcompact Car category. Polk Automotive Loyalty Awards recognize manufacturers for superior performance in owner retention. Owners had such a positive overall experience that they came back to buy another vehicle of the same model, make, or manufacturer. The Fiat 500 was introduced in 2007, and seven years later it still gathers awards! Not many cars do that.

Fiat 500 Sales in the United States - January 2014
Fiat 500Current MonthLast YearVol ChangeCurrent YTD TotalLast Year YTD TotalVol Change
Jan 2014
500
500L

     2,493
     729
    3,222

  2,503
     0
  2,503

    0%
     new
     29%

     2,493
     729
    3,222

         2,503
                0
         2,503

     0%
     new
     29%

Read more:

Sunday, February 2, 2014

Maserati Super Bowl Commercial



Here is the Maserati Super Bowl commercial aired during the big game just minutes ago! Enjoy!

Maserati Ghibli
The new Maserati Ghibli - one of the cars from Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

Maserati