Fiat 500 Coming To Chrysler Showrooms In US

The marriage of Chrysler to Fiat has resulted in the 500 coming to selected US showrooms. Chrysler will be offering all three available versions of the Fiat 500 in the USA, including the base hatchback, the rag-top convertible and the sporty Abarth, according to the Detroit automaker's five-year business plan that was revealed to the press on Wednesday. The thing is will the 500 survive in the American market which is addicted to large vehicles?

Being a city car it only make sense that the 500 is only available in showrooms in the metro area. According to company's Vice President of Network Development & Fleet, Peter M. Grady, dealers that house all Chrysler Group LLC brands and will include a dedicated salon inside the dealership.Not all 3 variants will arrive simultaneously as the basic three-door model that will be powered by Fiat's new 1.4-liter Multiair 4-cylinder gasoline engine will be flagging off sales in fourth quarter of 2010.

Next on the line to arrive will be the partially drop-top 500 Convertible that features a rather simple rollback canvas retaining the car's roofline and C-pillar. The last but most powerful version 500 Abarth will be completing the Trio in 2012. Fiat plans to build the North American Fiat 500 at a Chrysler plant in Mexico.




















Source : Carscoop

AutoAlert: Pictures of Fiat 500c

The Fiat 500C is available with these engine options:

• 1.3 litre 75 hp MultiJet Turbodiesel mated to a 5-speed manual
• petrol units are a 1.2 liter and a 1.4 liter with 69hp and 100hp respectively
  

The pretty bug will also get the Start & Stop system to further reduce fuel consumption. My only concern is the poor visibility the driver might face when the top is down.

Here are some pictures of the Fiat 500C for your eyes to feast on enjoy ...:)

Source : Pautan.org, Autoblog

Update: Here is a review I found on the Fiat 500c. It is written by Peter Burgess for MSN cars UK.

First impresion

• Fiat's 500 has been a massive success. Though half of sales are in Italy,
  it's sold in 51 countries and there is still a waiting list. The 500 has
  successfully taken on the Mini and seems to be beating it at its own
  game.
  The 500C is the convertible version but it's not a convertible in the
  conventional sense, more of a giant fabric sunroof that slides right back to the
  boot lid. The design is a homage to the original 500 of the 1950s which used the
  same principle. The advantage is that this is more useable than a regular
  convertible on a day-to-day basis, because occupants are well protected from
  wind buffeting even with the roof in its most open of the three positions. The
  downside is that it costs £3,000 more than a regular 500 hatch.
  Fiat says
  extra equipment accounts for the part of this. The 500C Pop gets aircon over the
  hatch, the Lounge even more. Still, even if the real difference is only £2,000
  to £2,500, that seems an awful lot to pay for what is, effectively, a giant
  sunroof......

Click here to read more on what MSN Cars have to say about the Car's Performance, ride & handling , interior, safety summing up with their verdict.