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Wednesday, June 29, 2016

2017 Fiat 124 Spider and Abarth Specs

Fiat 124 Spider Cross Section

2017 Fiat 124 Spider and 124 Spider Abarth Complete Specifications

specifications are based on the latest information at the time publication


FIAT 124 SPIDER GENERAL INFORMATION
Body Style: Roadster
Assembly Plant: Hiroshima, Japan
EPA Vehicle Class: Two-seater
Introduction Date: Summer 2016 as a 2017 model

FIAT 124 SPIDER BODY AND CHASSIS
Layout: Monocoque unibody; front and rear suspension subframes
Construction: High-tensile strength steel body to improve rigidity; double-wishbone
suspension at the front and multi-link at the rear; sport suspension

BODY AND CHASSIS
Layout Monocoque unibody; front and rear suspension subframes
Construction High-tensile strength steel body to improve rigidity; double-wishbone
suspension at the front and multi-link at the rear; sport suspension


Fiat 124 Spider Engine Compartment


ENGINE: 1.4-LITER TURBOCHARGED MULTIAIR I-4
Availability: Standard
Type and Description: In-line four-cylinder, liquid-cooled, turbocharged
Displacement: 83.48 cu. in. (1,368 cc)
Bore x Stroke: 2.83 x 3.31 (72.0 x 84.0)
Valve System:
Belt-driven, MultiAir, SOHC, 16 valves,
hydraulic end-pivot roller rockers
Fuel Injection:
Sequential, multiport, electronic, returnless
Construction:
Cast-iron block with aluminum-alloy head and aluminum-alloy bedplate
Compression Ratio: 9.8:1
Maximum Turbo Boost: (psi / bar) 22 psi / 2.49 bar
Power(SAE):
160 hp (119 kW) @ 5,500 rpm (Classica and Lusso)
164 hp (123 kW) @ 5,500 rpm (Abarth)
Torque (SAE):
184 lb.-ft. (250 N•m) @ 3,200 rpm (Classica, Lusso, Abarth in normal mode)
184 lb.-ft. (250 N•m) @ 2,500 rpm (Abarth in Sport mode)
Max. Engine Speed: 6,250 rpm (electronically limited)
Fuel Requirement:
87 octane (R+M)/2 acceptable
91 octane recommended
Oil Capacity: 4.0 qt. (3.8 liter) with dry filter
Coolant Capacity
7.6 qt. (7.2 liter) six-speed manual
7.5 qt. (7.1 liter) six-speed automatic
Emission Controls:
Three-way catalytic converter, heated oxygen sensors and internal
engine features
Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined):
26/35/30 six-speed manual transmission
25/36/29 six-speed automatic transmission
Towing: Not recommended
Engine Assembly Plant: Termoli, Italy


B400 AISIN SIX-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Availability: Classica, Lusso, Abarth
Description:
Planetary gear train, longitudinal layout
Paddle-shifted driver-interactive manual control (Abarth)
Gear Ratios
1st: 3.53
2nd: 2.06
3rd 1.40
4th: 1.00
5th: 0.71
6th: 0.58
Reverse: 3.16
Axle Ratios: 3.583
Mechanical limited-slip differential Standard on Abarth

Fiat 124 Spider Abarth Sport Button


C635 SIX-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION
Availability: Classica, Lusso, Abarth
Description: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th gear: Triple cone
Gear Ratios
1st: 4.363
2nd: 2.348
3rd: 1.647
4th: 1.262
5th: 1.000
6th: 0.844
Reverse: 3.863
Final-drive Ratio: 3.454
Mechanical limited slip differential Standard on Abarth

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Alternator: Denso SC2 150 A with LIN regulator
Battery: Q85

Fiat 124 Spider Abarth Rear Suspension


SUSPENSION
Front:
Double-wishbone
Front stabilizer bar size:
23.6 mm
Tower strut bar (Abarth)
Rear:
Multi-link
Rear stabilizer bar size:
Classica and Lusso: 14.0 mm
Abarth Spider: 13.0 mm

STEERING
Type:
Double pinion electric power assist system (DP-EPAS) –
rack-and-pinion
Overall Ratio: 15.5
Turning Diameter (curb-to-curb): 30.8 ft. (9.4 m)
Steering Turns (lock-to-lock): 2.7

Fiat 124 Spider Abarth Brembo Brakes


BRAKES
Availability Standard: Classica, Lusso, Abarth
Front:
Ventilated front disc
Size and Type: 11-in. floating
Swept Area (per caliper): 10.5 sq. in. (67.8 sq. cm)
Rear:
Solid rear disc
Size and Type: 11-in. floating
Swept Area (per caliper): 9.8 sq. in. (63.0 sq. cm)

Availability Optional: Abarth
Front:
Brembo ventilated front disc
Size and Type: 11-in. opposed
Swept Area (per caliper): 18.6 sq. in. (120 sq. cm)
Rear:
Solid rear disc
Size and Type: 11-in. floating
Swept Area (per caliper): 9.8 sq. in. (63.0 sq. cm)
Power-assist Type: Vacuum booster
Four-wheel anti-lock brake system (ABS): Standard
Electronic stability control (ESC): Standard
Parking Brake Type: Mechanical (lever type)

Fiat 124 Spider Lusso


DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES
Wheelbase: 90.9 (2,309)
Track, Front: 58.9 (1,496)
Track, Rear: 59.1 (1,503)
Overall Length: 159.6 (4,054)
Overall Width: 68.5 (1,740)
Overall Height: 48.5 (1,232)
Approach angle, degrees: 13.1
Curb Weight, pounds (kg):
2,436 (1,105) six-speed manual (Classica, Lusso)
2,477 (1,124) six-speed manual (Abarth)
2,476 (1,123) six-speed automatic (Classica, Lusso)
2,516 (1,141) six-speed automatic (Abarth)
Fuel-tank Capacity: 11.9 gal. (45 liters)
Drag Coefficient (Cd)
0.35 all models

Fiat 124 Spider Lusso Interior


ACCOMMODATIONS
Seating Capacity: — Front 2
Head Room: 37.4 (950)
Legroom: 43.1 (1,096)
Shoulder Room: 52.1 (1,325)
Hip Room: 52.0 (1,320)
Seat Travel: 8.3 (210) driver / 6.7 (170) passenger
Recliner Range (degrees): From 25 nominal, 12 forward and 22 rearward
Cargo space, cu ft: 4.94 (140 liter)


TIRES
Availability Standard: Classica
Size and Type: 195/50R16 three-season
Mfr. and Model: Yokohama Advan Sport V105
Revs per Mile (km): 879 (1,414.6)

Availability Standard: Lusso and Abarth
Size and Type: 205/45R17 three-season
Mfr. and Model: Bridgestone Potenza S001 (Lusso)
Bridgestone Potenza RE-050A (Abarth)
Revs per Mile (km): 856 (1,377.6)



Friday, June 24, 2016

Alfa Romeo Giulia Aces Euro NCAP Crash Test

Alfa Romeo Giulia Crash Test

The Alfa Romeo Giulia recently received a five-star crash test rating in the demanding Euro NCAP tests. The European New Car Assessment Programme or Euro NCAP for short, is an organization that assesses the safety performance of cars sold in Europe. Four different areas are graded: adult occupant protection, child occupant protection, pedestrian protection and safety assist systems. The Alfa Romeo Giulia did particularly well in the Adult Occupant assessment, earning the highest score recorded during the comparable period of 2015 and 2016.

The Adult Occupant Protection score is determined from frontal impact, side impact and whiplash tests, which are carried out to assess the protection of adult driver and passengers offered by the vehicle. The Giulia earned a score of 98%.



Alfa Romeo Gilia crash test video. Shown are Frontal Offset, Frontal Full Width, Side, Pole and Pedestrian impacts as well as Whiplash tests, Autonomous Emergency Braking systems and Lane Support systems.

Below are the official comments and observations from the Giulia Euro NCAP crash test:

Adult Occupants

Comments
The passenger compartment remained stable in the frontal offset test. Dummy readings indicated good protection of the knees and femurs of both the driver and front passenger. Alfa Romeo showed that a similar level of protection was provided to occupants of different sizes and to those sat in different positions. In the full-width rigid barrier impact, good protection was provided to all critical body areas of both the driver and the rear passenger, and the Giulia scored maximum points.

Alfa Romeo Giulia Crash Test Car


Full points were scored, too, in the side barrier test, all critical parts of the body being well protected. In the more severe side pole impact, good protection was provided to all body areas except the chest, protection of which was adequate. Tests of the front seats and head restraints showed demonstrated good protection against whiplash injury in the event of a rear-end collision, and a geometric assessment of the rear seats also indicated good whiplash protection. The Giulia has an autonomous emergency braking system as standard and tests showed it provided good protection against whiplash injuries in low-speed accidents, successfully avoiding impact in all of Euro NCAP's tests.

Alfa Romeo Giulia Crash Test Result

Child Occupant

Comments
In the frontal offset and side barrier tests, both dummies were properly restrained throughout the impacts. In the frontal test, protection was good or adequate except for the chest of the 6 year dummy, for which dummy measurements of deceleration indicated marginal protection. In the side barrier test, protection of all critical body areas was good for both the 6 and 10 year children. The front passenger airbag can be disabled to allow a rearward-facing restraint to be used in that seating position. Clear information is provided to the driver regarding the status of the airbag and the system was rewarded. In Euro NCAP's installation tests, all restraints could be properly installed and accommodated by the Giulia except for the rear centre seat which Alfa Romeo say is unsuitable for universal restraints.

Alfa Romeo Giulia Pole Crash


Pedestrian Safety

Comments
The bonnet provided mixed levels of protection to the head of a struck pedestrian. Some areas in the centre of the bonnet were good but much of the area around the edge showed poor results when tested. However, the protection provided to pedestrians' legs and to the pelvic region was good and the Giulia scored maximum points in these areas. The autonomous emergency braking system can recognise vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and tests showed that the system worked well.

Alfa Romeo Giulia After Pole Crash


Safety Assist

Comments
The Giulia's standard-fit autonomous emergency braking system works also at highway speeds and performed well in Euro NCAP's tests of this functionality. The car also has a seatbelt reminder for the front and rear seats as standard. A driver-set speed limiter is also fitted as standard, but it cannot easily be set or adjusted while the car is moving and was not rewarded. A lane departure warning system is also standard equipment.



Source, imagery and video: Euro NCAP

Wednesday, June 22, 2016

Fiat 124 Spider Revised Engine Specs

Fiat 124 Spider Abarth

As many car enthusiasts know, the Fiat 124 Spider Abarth was sampled by the media earlier this month. Those invited were given the opportunity to flog the car around a long autocross track that highlighted the nimbleness and just some of the performance capability of the car. It is safe to say that all left with huge grins on their face, but also may have left with a misconception about the engine's performance.

The Fiat 124 Spider Abarth makes 164 hp, up four hp more than the standard 124 spider's 160 hp. This horsepower increase is mainly attributed to the Abarth's signature free flow exhaust system. Most people think that's the only difference between the standard car and the Abarth, but there is more there than meets the eye. The 124 Spider Abarth has a Sport button that activates a unique engine tune that changes the torque delivery of the car compared to the standard Spiders.

Fiat 124 Spider Abarth Sport Button

These changes were not reflected in the preliminary specs that list all models having 184 lb-ft of torque at 2500 rpm. While the output is correct, the engine speed this happens at needs to be clarified. Specs for any models not in Sport mode (including Classica and Lusso, which don't have a Sport mode) is 184 lb.-ft. at 3200 rpm, while the Abarth in Sport mode is 184 lb.-ft. at 2500 rpm.



Comparing the 124 Abarth in Sport mode to the standard cars, at 2500 rpm the Abarth makes 184 lb.-ft. of torque compared to 170 lb.-ft. at the same rpm for the standard car.

Along with the extra low-end torque, Sport mode gives you more aggressive throttle response which helps you power out of corners and turns quicker. Shift calibrations for automatic transmission cars are also changed, with gears held longer, and shifts made quicker. Steering calibrations have more feel dialed in, and dynamic stability control settings are tweaked for more throttle-steer.

Fiat will be updating the specification on the 124 Spider shortly, so consider yourself the first to know!


FIAT 124 SPIDER ENGINE: 1.4-LITER TURBOCHARGED MULTIAIR I-4
Displacement: 83.48 cu. in. (1,368 cc)
Valve System: Belt-driven, MultiAir, SOHC, 16 valves,
Compression Ratio: 9.8:1
Maximum Turbo Boost: (psi / bar) 22 psi / 2.49 bar
Power:
160 hp (119 kW) @ 5,500 rpm (Classica and Lusso)
164 hp (123 kW) @ 5,500 rpm (Abarth)
Torque
184 lb.-ft. (250 N•m) @ 3,200 rpm (Classica and Lusso) (Abarth when not in Sport Mode)
184 lb.-ft. (250 N•m) @ 2,500 rpm (Abarth in Sport Mode)
Max. Engine Speed 6,250 rpm (electronically limited)



Source: FCA US LLC
Visual assets: Sport Button image and video courtesy FCA US LLC, other image Author's

Thursday, June 16, 2016

Fiat 500 Number 1 in Total Quality Again!

Fiat 500 Cabrio and Hatch

The Fiat 500 was ranked number one in total quality in Strategic Vision's Total Quality Awards program. This is the third time the Fiat 500 has earned the top award in its class. The 500 won the title last year and in 2012. Additionally, Fiat tied with Kia for the title of industry’s best brand for total quality under $26,000.

The research firm Strategic Vision specializes in understanding consumer decision-making and is used by a variety of Fortune 100 clients. The Total Quality Award measures the quality of the vehicle itself, as well as the quality of the experience of owning and driving it. For the Fiat 500 to win this award three times since 2012 speaks very well of the ownership experience.

Total Quality Index score is ranked by customers and is based on the following categories:

  • Satisfaction with the complete ownership experience
  • Perception of quality
  • Owner reported delight
  • Future purchase intent
  • Emotional attachment to vehicle
Fiat 500c Cabrio


Strategic Vision has presented Total Quality Awards annually since 1995 and is said to be the automotive industry’s most complete measure of the quality of a new car. This year more than 39,000 owners of new 2016 model year vehicles took part in the survey. The quality study uses more than 155 specific aspects of the customer experience to form a unique and complete measure of the total ownership experience.


Read related stories:





source: FCA US LLC, Strategic Vision

Thursday, June 2, 2016

Fiat 500 Sales for May 2016

Fiat 500 Sport


Fiat sold a total of 3,137 cars last month, down 19% compared to the same month last year. So far this year, Fiat sales have been lagging behind last year's totals.

The Fiat 500 hatchback and Cabrio models had their best month this year, with a total of 1,553 cars sold. While this is below what was sold last year this time, it should also be noted that the Fiat 500 is still outselling some very well established competitors. This performance shows how appealing the 500 is even in a market with phenomenally low gas prices and shifting consumer preferences to larger crossover utility vehicles.


Fiat 500 May Sales= 1,553, 2016 YTD = 6,819

  • Scion Tc May Sales = 1,043, 2016 YTD = 4,881
  • Scion xB May Sales = 135, 2016 YTD = 2,553
  • Smart FourTwo May Sales = 420, 2016 YTD = 2,186
  • Toyota Yaris May Sales = 1,236, 2016 YTD = 5,284
  • Volkswagen Beetle May Sales = 1,178, 2016 YTD = 5,668

Fiat 500X Trekking Plus



Also noteworthy last month, the Fiat 500X reached a milestone of being officially on sale for one year. Sales of the 500X totaled 1,250 units in May, while the 500L MPV recorded 344 sales.

June will bring exciting news as the 124 Spider begins arriving at Fiat Studios across the country. The new 124 Spider is the lowest priced turbocharged roadster in America and has the highest horsepower in its class, not to mention a gorgeous body designed in Italy. Expect to read a lot of glowing reviews in the media starting late next week.



Fiat 500 Advertisement

May Fiat News Recap


The Fiat 500 made Kelley Blue Book’s 2016 list of the 10 Coolest Cars Under $18,000. This is the sixth year in a row that the 500 has made the list. The charismatic Fiat 500 is an award magnet and has won more than 80 international awards over the years. Discover more below:


Fiat 500 Abarth in Giallo Moderna Perla


We drove the 2016 Fiat 500 Abarth Automatic last month and had a blast. With lightning fast shifts, and an exhaust that pops and snarls, the 500 Abarth Automatic is anything but toned down.


European 2017 Abarth 595


The 2017 Abarth 595 made its debut in Europe and showed off a refreshed exterior that had Abarth enthusiasts on this side of the Atlantic wondering when we'll see a revised Abarth here.




Our story on the first batch of 124 Spider to arrive at the Port of Baltimore sent folks to their local Fiat dealers to put a deposit on a car.  The Fiat 124 Spider promises to be the official car of summer this year.



Fiat Brand Sales in the United States, January - May 2016
Fiat 500Current MonthLast Year 2015Vol ChangeCurrent YTD TotalLast Year YTD TotalChange  %
May
500
500L
500X

    1,553
     334
    1,250
    3,137

  2,614
   1,245
     8
  3,867

   -41%
   -73%
 15K
   -19%

    6,819
    2,064
    6,308
    15,911

      13,107
       5,546
         8
      18,661

   -48%
   -63%
   7.9K
   -19%
April
500
500L
500X

    1,488
     463
    1,094
    3,045

  2,498
   1,258
     0
  3,756

   -40%
   -63%
    New
   -19%

    5,266
    1,730
    5,058
    12,054

      10,493
       4,301
        0
      14,794

   -50%
   -60%
   New
   -19%
Mar
500
500L
500X

    1,490
     533
    1,399
    3,422

  3,276
   1,218
     0
  4,494

   -55%
   -56%
    New
   -24%

    3,778
    1,267
    3,964
    9,009

      7,995
       3,043
         0
      11,038

   -53%
   -58%
   New
   -18%
Feb
500
500L
500X

    1,081
     365
    1,547
    2,993

  2,333
   956
     0
  3,289

   -54%
   -62%
    New
   -9%

    2,288
     734
    2,565
    5,587

      4,719
       1,825
        0
       6,544

   -52%
   -60%
   New
   -15%
Jan
500
500L
500X

    1,207
     369
    1,018
    2,594

  2,386
   869
     0
  3,255

   -49%
   -58%
    New
   -20%

    1,207
     369
    1,018
    2,594

      2,386
       869
         0
      3,255

   -49%
   -58%
   New
   -20%



Figures and sources: FCA US LLC,
Images: FCA US LLC and author