Search This Site

Thursday, September 27, 2018

Fiat 500 1957 Edition Returns!

2018 Fiat 500 1957 Edition


Fiat is bringing back its popular 1957 Edition Fiat 500 later this fall. First unveiled at the 2013 LA Auto show and last sold in 2016, the 500 1957 Edition celebrates the Nuova 500 model that premiered on July 4, 1957. The new car is the modern interpretation of the iconic model produced between 1957 and 1975.


Fiat 500 1957 Edition
The following images are from the previous 2014-2016 1957 Edition. We anticipate the interior trim looking similar if not exactly the same.


The new Fiat 500 “1957 Edition” is based on a Lounge model and available in three vintage looking colors - Bianco Ice (White), Verde Chiaro (light green) or Celeste Blue (Retro Light Blue). The last two colors come with a Bianco painted roof and mirror caps for an authentic retro look. Cabrio 1957 Editions have Black canvas tops.

Fiat 500 1957 Edition Wheel


Sixteen inch wheels designed to resemble the steel wheels used on 1950 era Fiats are one of the highlights of this special edition 500. These wheels made their first appearance on the Fiat 500 Beach Cruiser concept shown at the 2013 SEMA show and the Mopar concept car at the 2014 Detroit auto show - see here. The wheels come in matching body colors of White, Green or Blue.

Fiat 500 1957 Edition Dashboard
Note the instrument panel on 2018 Fiats feature a digital display and not the analog instrument cluster 2014 cars used.

Inside is furnished in Marrone (brown) leather with Avorio (Ivory) accent stitching. The hand stitched Avorio leather steering wheel features Marrone insert and grey door panels have Avorio trim inserts with Marrone armrests. Manual transmission cars have a Marrone leather shift boot. The 1957 Edition also comes with its own uniquely styled key fob. The interior and exterior are finished off with period correct Fiat badging.

Fiat 500 1957 Edition Seats


Powering the 2018 Fiat 500 1957 Edition is the well known 1.4-liter MultiAir Turbo engine delivering 135 horsepower and 150 lb.-ft. of torque – 34 more standard horsepower than the previous 1957 Edition. The powerful 1.4 MultiAir was voted International Best New Engine of The Year when it was introduced in 2010. A five-speed manual transmission is standard and a six-speed automatic transmission is offered.

The 2018 Fiat 500 Lounge has a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $19,745, the 1957 Edition package for the Fiat 500 is available for $995. Look for the 2018 Fiat 500 1957 Edition to arrive in showrooms this Fall.


Fiat 500D 1968-72

The Nuova Fiat 500
In the mid-1950s, Italy was recovering from the devastation of World War II. The demand for low cost cars was expanding. Two seater micro cars/bubble cars were becoming popular. These typically sat 1-3 people and were arguably closer to a motorcycle than a car. Dante Giacosa, Fiat's legendary chief engineer was tasked with developing a new car that would have the economy of these micro-cars, yet have the space for four passengers and offer the drivability and security of a real car. The result was the Nuova 500 and its appearance came at a time when there was a new sense of prosperity in Italy and throughout Europe. The affordable and cheerful Fiat 500 gave families something to aspire for as it offered a taste of La Dolce Vita and became something more than just a car. Nearly 3.9 million Fiat 500s were sold between 1957 and 1975, and it would be fair to say that each one holds a special place in the heart of its owner.



Read more:

Tuesday, September 4, 2018

Fiat Sales for August 2018

Fiat model lineup

Fiat sales are in for August and show Fiat sold a total of 1,374 cars in the US last month, up 11 percent over July. Increased sales of 500 hatch and Cabrios as well as 500L models helped offset lower sales of 500X and Spiders for the month. Comparing overall August sales to the same month last year, however, show the Fiat brand is still taking a beating, being off 35 percent.

Fiat 500L Blu Denim

Year-to-date, Fiat has sold a total of 10,889 cars compared to 19,046 through the same period last year. That is a 43 percent decline, with only the 500L MPV enjoying an 8 percent increase over last year. The redesigned 500L MPV has been having positives sales nearly every month for the past year.


2018 Fiat 500 Cabrio Turbo

Good news is the long-awaited and revamped 500 hatch and Cabrio, Fiat's traditional best selling models, have finally arrived at dealerships and have begun boosting sales. Fiat sold 563 of these models compared to 363 the previous month.


Fiat Abarth 131 at FreakOut

August Fiat News
Big news for Fiat fans was the 35th annual Fiat FreakOut was held at Disney World, Florida. The Fiat FreakOut is the Fiat Club America's national convention and is the largest Fiat event of the year. Attendees were treated to a multi-day event featuring fun activities, friendly people and lots of Italian cars including rare models.

 Anneliese Abarth

This year, the keynote speaker was Anneliese Abarth, wife of the legendary Carlo Abarth. Mrs. Abarth worked at Abarth & Co and was by the side of her husband during the glory years of the company and tirelessly greeted and mingled with participants, answered questions and recounted the life and times of her and her husband's time with the company. Mrs. Abarth is heavily involved in racing and preserving the Abarth legacy through the Abarth Foundation which everyone is encouraged to join.






Fiat unveiled a refreshed 500X in Europe, complete with the next generation Firefly engine family. These modern engines will power future Fiats we will see in this country. The redesigned 500X features numerous enhancements and include more creature comforts, upgraded infotainment, and refined styling. The new 500X is available for order in Europe now, and we anticipate the car arriving in the US sometime next year. An anonymous source in the company mentions a much-improved performance version coming to the US in around 18 months.


Fiat Brand Sales in the United States January through August 2018
Fiat 500Current MonthLast YearVol ChangeCurrent YTDLast Year YTDVol Change
Aug
500
500L
500X
124

    563
    136
    332
    343
    1,374

 937
 141
 660
 382
  2,120

  -40%
   -4%
   -50%
   -10%
   -35%

    3188
    1147
    3935
    2629
    10,889

        9419
       1058
       5237
          3332
        19046

    -66%
    8%
    -25%
    -21%
    -43%
July
500
500L
500X
124

    363
    107
    378
    392
    1,240

 1026
 171
 597
 450
  2,244

  -65%
   -37%
   -37%
   -13%
   -45%

    2625
    1011
    3603
    2286
    9,525

        8,482
       917
       4577
          2950
        16926

    -69%
    10%
    -21%
    -23%
    -44%
June
500
500L
500X
124

    354
    157
    514
    401
    1,426

 995
 184
 553
 510
  2,242

  -64%
   -15%
   -7%
   -21%
   -36%

    2262
    904
    3225
    1894
    8,285

        7,456
       746
       3980
          2500
        14682

    -70%
    21%
    -19%
    -24%
    -44%
May
500
500L
500X
124

    264
    184
    568
    425
    1,441

 1240
 163
 703
 564
  2,670

  -79%
   13%
   -19%
   -25%
   -46%

    1908
    747
    2711
    1493
    6,859

        6,461
       562
       3427
          1990
        12440

    -70%
    33%
    -21%
    -25%
    -45%
April
500
500L
500X
124

    335
    168
    564
    337
    1,404

 1201
 115
 758
 465
  2,539

  -72%
   46%
   -26%
   -28%
   -45%

    1644
    563
    2143
    1068
    5,418

        5,221
       399
       2724
          1426
        9770

    -69%
    41%
    -21%
    -25%
    -45%
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.
131 Abarth image source: Fiat 500 USA Forum member sarasotabill