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Thursday, April 26, 2018

Fiat 2018 Spring Sales Event

Fiat 500 Lounge

Spring is a great time to bring home a new car and Fiat is offering significant sales incentives on its cars throughout April. Incentives vary according to your location, but they can be substantial, with up to $4,500 cash off on selected models, plus low lease offers. Below are just two examples.


Fiat 500X Trekking
2017 FIAT 500X
Up to $4,500 total cash on select models

Fiat 124 Spider
2018 FIAT 124 Spider
Lease for $319 per month ($3,349 due at lease signing. 42 months. No security deposit required.)

These deals end on April 30th, so if you have been on the fence on when to buy, now is the time to get to your dealer. Check out what offers are available in your area with the Fiat Incentive Page.


Check out the savings at these dealers:



Friday, April 20, 2018

New Color Available on 2019 Fiat 124 Spider

Fiat 124 in Ceramica Grey Metallic


There will be a new color available on 2019 Fiat 124 Spiders. The new color is Ceramica Grey Metallic. This joins the 8 colors carried over from 2018.

The new ceramica color will be available across the full Spider model range. The color code for Ceramica Grey Metallic is PAQ. Note, Fiat 124 Spider colors have been renamed for the 2019 model year. Below for your convenience is the list of Fiat 124 Spider paint / color codes from 2017 through 2019.

2019 Fiat 124 Spider and Spider Abarth Paint / Color Codes

  • CERAMICA GRAY METALLIC (PAQ) (New for 2019)
  • BRILLANTE WHITE (PWE)
    Formerly known as Bianco Gelato (White)
  • PURO WHITE TRI-COAT PEARL (n/a on Classica)
    Formerly known as Puro Bianco Perla (Tri Coat White)
  • CHIARO SILVER METALLIC (PSP)
    Formerly known as Grigio Chiaro (Light Grey)
  • FORTE BLACK METALLIC (PXC)
    Formerly known as Nero Cinema (Jet Black)
  • HYPNOTIQUE RED (PKM)
    Formerly known as Rosso (Red)
  • MAGNETICO BRONZE METALLIC (PDF) (n/a on Abarth)
    Formerly known as Bronzo Magnetico (Titanium)
  • MARE BLUE METALLIC (PHB)
    Formerly known as Blu Scuro (Dark Blue)
  • MODA GRAY METALLIC (PA5) (n/a on Abarth)
    Formerly known as Grigio Moda (Meteor Gray)
Fiat 124 Spider Colors


2018 Fiat 124 Spider Paint / Color Codes.
  • Puro Bianco Perla (Tri-Coat White) (PWW) New for 2018 (n/a on Classica)
  • Grigio Chiaro (Light Gray) (PSP) New for 2018
  • Blu Scuro (Dark Blue) (PHB) New for 2018
  • Grigio Moda (Meteor Gray) (PA5) (n/a on Abarth)
  • Rosso Red (PKM)
  • Bronzo Magnetico (Titanium) (PDF) (n/a on Abarth)
  • Nero Cinema (Jet Black) (PXC)
  • Bianco Gelato (White) (PWE)


2017 Fiat 124 Spider Paint / Color Codes
  • BIANCO GELATO (WHITE) PWE
  • BIANCO PERLA (TRI-COAT WHITE) PWS (n/a on Classica)
  • BRONZO MAGNETICO (TITANIUM) PDF (n/a on Abarth)
  • GRIGIO ARGENTO (ALUMINUM) PSL
  • GRIGIO MODA (METEOR GRAY)  PA5 (n/a on Abarth)
  • NERO CINEMA (JET BLACK) PXC
  • ROSSO (RED) PKM

Read More:


Source and images: FCA US LLC

Friday, April 13, 2018

Fiat 124 Spider Urbana Coming!

Fiat 124 Spider with Black Out Trim

We have been given the word there will be a Fiat 124 Spider Urbana edition arriving during the 2019 model year. The 124 Spider Urbana edition features blacked-out exterior trim, new alloy wheels, and special interior trim. Urbana is Italian for Urban, and the Urbana trim gives the cars a sporty urban, sophisticated look.

European 124 Spider S-Design
European Fiat 124 Spider with S-Design package gives clues to what the US Urbana looks like. Note the European car uses what is called "burnished" or "polished" steel color for its trim. We get gloss black trim according to the preliminary information provided. The picture of the Spider Urbana I have seen does not have a stripe and comes with different wheels. Also note the Urbana package is only available on base Classica models, which are identifiable by its lack of fog lights and adaptive headlights.

The 2019 Fiat 124 Urbana will join the other Urbana editions Fiat offers throughout its model range. Knowledgeable Fiat enthusiasts will recognize the US Urbana editions as similar to the S-Design editions offered in Europe. Images of the Spider Urbana have not been released, but the images shown here give an idea of what to expect.

Fiat 124 Spider blacked out trim package

The 2019 Fiat 124 Spider Urbana package is available on base Classica models and includes.
  • 17 inch Black Diamond Alloy Wheels
  • Gloss Black Exterior Accents
  • A-pillar
  • Roll Bar Covers
  • Mirror Caps
  • Sport Leather/Microfiber Seats with Red Accent stitching
  • Black Interior Accents*


Fiat Spider Urbana Black Diamond Wheels

The information presented to me shows that the 2019 Fiat 124 Spider Urbana comes with these new wheels. They are listed as 17 inch Black Diamond Alloy Wheels. Note, the image shows a silver wheel but should represent the design and style on the 124 Urbana.

Fiat Spider with Gloss Black Trim

Gloss black windshield surround and mirror covers are features of the 124 Spider Urbana, as well as gloss black seat back bezels.

Fiat Spider Gloss Black A Pillar

Windshield trim.

Fiat Spider Gloss Black Seat Back Bezels

Seat back bezels.

Fiat 124 Spider Urbana Interior

Inside the Spider Urbana, you get Sport Leather/Microfiber Seats with red accent stitching as well as gloss black interior accents like in the higher priced Lusso trim cars.* These are upgrades to the base Spider Classica model which come with Black Premium Cloth Seats as standard and brushed silver interior accents.

One of the selling points of Fiat's Urbana editions is they represent a good value. For example, a 500X Urbana package is $845, but to try and duplicate all the special trim through the Mopar accessories catalog or even the aftermarket would be significantly more expensive. While we don't have the pricing for the 124 Urbana package, it should follow the same track. Looking at the new 124 Spider Urbana, some of the exterior trim is already available through Mopar, but you couldn't duplicate the seating and interior upgrades as easily.

Dealers have already begun taking orders for the 2019 Fiat 124 Spider Urbana as well as other models, so see your dealer for more information. This is all preliminary information and we will have more on the 124 Spider Urbana as it is available. Remember, you heard it here first!



*Update April 12, 2019: Fiat USA has changed the gloss black trim listed in the preliminary information shown to me to matte grey.  Standard Classica trim in 2019 is normally brushed aluminum.

Images:FCA

Thursday, April 5, 2018

2018 Fiat 500 Urbana Details

2018 Fiat 500 Urbana

The 2018 Fiat 500 now features dramatically more standard horsepower than ever before. The Fiat 500 hatch and Cabrio models have been given a Turbocharged MultiAir engine that produces 135 hp compared to previous year's normally aspirated engine that put out 101 hp. This 34 hp increase means the already peppy 500 now has the most horsepower in its class. To put it mildly, the new car is going to rip.

Fiat 500 Urbana in White


It should be noted that the engine is identical to the one used in the high performance, 160 hp Abarth models, but is detuned for more relaxed driving. To cope with the additional 34 percent more power, the 500's transmission, suspension and brakes are also borrowed from the Abarth. Suspension calibrations while sporty and well controlled are not as aggressive as the Abarth's and don't utilize that model's rear anti-sway bar.


Not counting the Abarth model (which is technically considered a different brand in the rest of the world) the 2018 Fiat 500 lineup consists of the Pop and Lounge models in both hatch and Cabrio versions. For those looking for something sporty, but not as hard core as an Abarth, Fiat has released an Urbana package for hatchback cars. The 500 Urbana gets special trim inside and out and gives the car an athletic, urban look.

Fiat 500 Urbana side view
The 2018 500 Urbana package features the front and rear fascias and sideskirts from the 500 Abarth. An interesting detail is the gloss A and B pillar trim. This and the interior's gloss black dashboard panel are two differences between the new 500 Urbana and the older 2013-2016 500 Turbo. Wheels are also different. Follow the links at the end of the story to learn more about the 500 Turbo.

The Urbana package adds the following equipment:

• 16X6.5 HYPER-BLACK ALUMINUM WHEELS (WGD)
• BLACK TRIMMED LIGHTS (MFL)
• BLACK INSTRUMENT PANEL DASH PANEL (JBF)
• SILVER ACCENT STITCHING (JEC)
• SPORT CLOTH BUCKET SEATS (*Q6)

Fiat fans will recognize the 500 Urbana as being nearly identical to the 500 Turbo model of years past. The 500 Turbo was discontinued in 2017.


Fiat 500 Urbana front

Blacked out headlights are giveaways of the Urbana package.


Fiat 500 Urbana rear

Blacked out tailights are also part of the package. All 500 models get the front and rear fascias used on Abarth models, but with different badging and a unique single exhasut outelet diffeuser.


2018 Fiat 500 rear diffuser

Unlike a 500 Abarth, which uses a throaty sounding unmuffled exhaust system, the 2018 Fiat 500 has a muffled system that, while sounding sporty, is still quiet and unobtrusive.

Fiat 500 Urbana tail lights


Another look at the blacked out taillights of the 500 Urbana. These taillights and headlights are also available as a Mopar accessory at your local Fiat dealer.


2018 Fiat 500 Turbo emblem

All 2018 Fiat 500 models get this Turbo emblem.


Fiat 500 Urbana black dash panel

The Fiat 500 Ubana gets a gloss black dash panel, unlike the body colored dash used on other models. This is also one of the differences between the new car and the older 500 Turbo from the past. The old 500 Turbo used a body colored dashboard panel. The shifter is also different than the 500 Turbo, which used the Abarth shift knob. As the car shown was a pre-production model, there is a possibility this could change.  We are checking on this now.


Fiat 500 Urbana steering wheel
Silver stitching is used on the steering wheel and...


Fiat 500 Urbana seats

... seat trim. The 2018 500 Urbana also uses sport seats, which is different than the premium cloth and leather seats found on Pop and Lounge models respectively.


Read more about the 500 Turbo


Images: Urbana in white-FCA. All other are author's

Tuesday, April 3, 2018

Fiat Brand Sales for March 2018

Fiat 500 Cabrio in NYC


Fiat brand sales for March 2018 show a 24 percent increase over February's sales. Fiat sold a total of 1,544 cars in March compared to 1,241 in February. Sales of all models were up in March compared to the previous month's. While this is some good news, it is not enough to reverse the brand's overall sales decline 47 percent for the month and 44 percent for the year compared to the same periods last year.

Fiat 500 Abarth Red Top


Sales of the Fiat 500 hatch and Cabrio models were down an average of 67 percent so far this year. As we reported last month, the lack of availability of the 500 has significantly impacted sales. This is the result of the Fiat 500 production line being closed at the end of August while the 2018 model year changes were being implemented.

The 500 is traditionally Fiat's best selling model so the absence of this popular model has been a major factor in declining sales. Production of the 2018 Fiat 500 is scheduled to begin early in the second quarter of this year.


2018 Fiat 500L MPV

On the other hand, sales of the Fiat 500L MPV were up 63 percent compared to March 2017. Sales of the 500L are up 39 percent year-to-date.  Looking further into it, 500L sales have been on a rise since last August, averaging a 37 percent increase over this period. The 500L was revised for 2018 and touts enhanced features and redesigned front and rear sections for an upmarket look.

March sales of the Fiat 500X crossover and 124 Spider were both up a good amount compared to February, but still lag behind last year.

Fiat 500 Old and New

Production of the 2018 Fiat 500 is about to begin this month, just in time for the spring selling season. With the 500's new, standard turbocharged engine, we are eagerly waiting to see what that means for sales in the coming months.



2018 Fiat 500 Urbana

March Fiat News
The big news in March was the unveiling of the 2018 Fiat 500 Urabana edition. This model takes the standard 2018 Fiat 500 with its upgraded turbocharged engine and gives it a racy, urban look. Fiat has boosted the horsepower in the 2018 500 a significant 35 percent which dramatically increases the fun to drive factor. The 500 now has the most horsepower in its class.



Fiat at New York Auto Show


Fiat displayed their model lineup at the 2018 new York Auto Show and we covered the show here:


Lifting a Fiat 500 to work on can be tricky for those unfamiliar with the car. We posted where and how to lift the car easily.



Fiat Brand Sales in the United States, March 2018
Fiat 500Current MonthLast YearVol ChangeCurrent YTDLast Year YTDVol Change
March
500
500L
500X
124

    439
    173
    607
    325
    1,544

 1671
 106
 726
 419
  2,922

  -74%
   63%
   -16%
   -22%
   -47%

    1309
    395
    1579
    731
    4,014

        4,020
       284
       1,966
           961
        7,231

    -67%
    39%
    -20%
    -24%
    -44%
Feb
500
500L
500X
124

    416
    118
    484
    223
    1,241

 1131
 72
 640
 302
  2,145

  -63%
   64%
   -24%
   -26%
   -42%

    870
    222
    972
    406
    2,470

        2,349
       178
       1,240
           542
        4,309

    -63%
    25%
    -22%
    -25%
    -43%
Jan
500
500L
500X
124

    454
    104
    488
    183
    1,229

 1218
 106
 606
 240
  2,164

  -63%
   -2%
   -19%
   -24%
   -43%

    454
    104
    488
    183
    1,229

        1,218
       106
       600
           240
        2,164

    -63%
    -2%
    -19%
    -24%
    -43%



Sources: FCA US LLC.
Images: FCA and Author