Shhh... Fiat Brings 500 BEV Electric Concept Car to Detroit

As you've probably already guessed by the title of this post, neither Fiat nor Chrysler published any details on the Fiat 500 BEV concept model that was showcased alongside the 500 Abarth at the American automaker's Detroit Motor Show stand. Nothing new here as we're in the dark about the "Chrysler Delta" also.

The car's name stands for Battery-Electric Vehicle and from what we've heard, it's pure study as Fiat has no plans to introduce a production version of the concept - at least not in this form.

To make a short story longer, the 500 BEV features a similar bodykit to the Abarth model minus the tail pipes at the rear as well as new alloy wheels.

Inside, the concept model gets sumptuous leather seats finished in red and a sport steering wheel accented by red stitching while the traditional gear lever has been replaced with push-button controls.

Fiat 500 to get 0.9-liter Turbocharged Two-Cylinder Engine in 2010

We just got our hands on the Fiat Group's refreshed product plan for 2010 and 2011 that was introduced by the firm's CEO Sergio Marchionne in Rome today. We'll bring you the full monty later on but here's a taster of what the company is planning to launch into the market.

Next year will see the arrival of Fiat's long anticipated New Small Gasoline Engine that will make its premiere on the 500 mini. The innovative 0.9-liter twin-cylinder gasoline engine features turbocharging and Fiat's Multiair technology that controls the intake valves, depending on the horsepower needed.

Fiat says that while the new engine offers the same performance as a larger naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine, fuel economy and, as a consequence, CO2 emissions are significantly improved.

In addition to the advantages in fuel consumption, the twin-cylinder engine is also said to be 20 per cent lighter in weight and more compact in size compared to a 4-cylinder engine with the same output.

"This is the maximum expression of the concept of downsizing, offering lower consumption and emissions without impacting performance," Marchionne said during the presentation.

The new two-cylinder engine is expected to be offered in two turbocharged variants developing 80HP and 105HP while Fiat will add a 65HP naturally aspirated version, also equipped with the Multiair system followed up by a CNG version.

At least in Europe, the twin-cylinder engine will find its way on the Fiat Group's A- and B-Segment models like the Fiat 500, Panda and Punto EVO.

More to come once we sort our the papers out so stay tuned.

Chrysler Said to Show All-Electric Fiat 500 as well at Detroit Auto Show

Following yesterday's rumors about a new Chrysler model based on a Lancia vehicle, a news report today claims that the Chrysler Group will also reveal an all-electric version of the Fiat 500 at the Detroit auto show in January, without however giving out any specific details. In addition to the 500 EV, it is said that Chrysler will also display the entire Fiat 500 lineup at its Detroit booth, including the standard model, the 500C Moon Roof err.. Convertible and the sporty 500 Abarth.

The North American version of the Fiat 500 will be built at Chrysler's Toluca plant in Mexico, with sales set to begin in fall 2010. The base version of the city car will be powered by Fiat's new 1.4-liter Multiair 4-cylinder gasoline engine.

The tin-top model will be followed in 2011 by the 500C Convertible which gets an electronically retractable canvas roof as opposed to a full convertible top, while Fiat will complete the range in 2012 with the presentation of the sporty 500 Abarth powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder engine.

In North America, the Fiat 500 will be sold at select Chrysler dealerships.

Via: Autonews

PS: All photos are of the Fiat 500 Aria

360HP Fiat 500 Abarth by Romeo Ferraris to Participate in Italian Endurance Race

Romeo Ferraris, as in the Italian tuning firm and racing car builder, has announced that it will take part in the '6 Hours of Vallelunga' endurance race in Italy on November 22 with its specially developed Fiat 500 Abarth competition model. The carbon-fiber bodied Italian hatch with the humongous rear wing packs a heavily modified 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces a whopping 360 horsepower.

The Team Romeo Ferraris Fiat 500 Abarth will be driven Aldo Cerruti, Michela Cerruti and Mario Ferraris.

We remind that according to Chrysler's business plan, the sporty Fiat 500 Abarth is scheduled to arrive on U.S. shores approximately two years after the standard version of the Italian mini, sometime in 2012.

Fiat 500 to Hit Chrysler's U.S. Showrooms in 2010 Followed by Convertible in 2011 and Abarth in 2012

Chrysler intends to sell 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. As was the case with BMW and the launch of its MINI brand in the turn of the 21st century, the Italian mini will be sold in the States (as a Fiat) at Chrysler's dealerships.

But not all dealers will get the 500, as the company's Vice President of Network Development & Fleet, Peter M. Grady revealed. The Italian mini will be sold mainly in metro areas at select dealers that house all Chrysler Group LLC brands and will include a dedicated salon inside the dealership.

First up will be the North American version of the basic three-door model that will be powered by Fiat's new 1.4-liter Multiair 4-cylinder gasoline engine. Sales of this model will start in the U.S. in fourth quarter of 2010.

The three-door hatchback will be followed in 2011 by the partially drop-top 500 Convertible that features a rather simple rollback canvas retaining the car's roofline and C-pillar. The range will be completed in 2012 with the North American launch of the sporty 500 Abarth powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder engine.

While neither Fiat or Chrysler disclosed any other details on the North American 500s, buyers should expect to see many special and limited edition versions of all three models making their way to showrooms.

Fiat plans to build the North American Fiat 500 at a Chrysler plant in Mexico.

FIAT 500 HATCH

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FIAT 500 CONVERTIBLE [INCLUDING SPECIAL EDITION MODELS]

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ABARTH 500 [INCLUDING SPECIAL EDITION MODELS]