No other car has been talked about as much in Europe during the past three years. The 500 has won multiple awards and recognitions across the pond, including the European Car of the Year title in 2008 and the 2009 World Car Design of the Year. It also has been offered in various different special editions, such as the Barbie version, the Abarth Esseesse, the Ferrari Version as well as the 500 Pink.
We’ll finally get it. The Cinquecento will arrive in the U.S. before the end of the year, and in Canada by next February. In addition to the 3-door hatchback, a 500C cabriolet will arrive in dealers in the spring of 2011.
Three versions of the built-in-Mexico, 4-passenger 500 will be available: Pop, Lounge and Sport. They will differ in equipment levels, while the Sport trim will get slightly more aggressive front and rear fascias, a larger front grille, fog lamps, body-side cladding, red painted brake calipers, a chromed exhaust outlet and exclusive 16-inch alloy wheels.
Four engines are offered in the European 500, but only the biggest one, which will use Fiat’s MultiAir technology, will be available here, at least for now; it’s a 16-valve, 1.4-litre inline-4 that produces 100 horsepower and is mated to a 6-speed manual or an optional 5-speed automated gearbox called Duologic.
Other mechanical components include an independent front and rear axle suspension setup, four-wheel disc brakes as well as electric-assist power steering.
With a curb weight of around 2,050 lbs or 930 kg (although our version might be slightly heavier), the 500 will have a power-to-weight ratio comparable to that of a Honda Fit, which means 0-100 km/h times of about 9.5 to 10.0 seconds.
No specific equipment lists have been announced yet, but don’t expect stripper versions of the Cinquecento. Based on the European model, the Pop should include keyless entry, a tilt steering column, air conditioning, power windows and mirrors, a height-adjustable driver’s seat, a CD player with MP3 file playback, antilock brakes, 14-inch wheels and seven airbags.
The Lounge and Sport models should add a USB port, Bluetooth connectivity, a leather-wrapped wheel with audio controls, a 50/50-split folding rear seat, stability control and 15-inch alloy wheels. Keep in mind that this is pure speculation, but it should be close to what we just listed.
Optional equipment should include leather upholstery, a power glass sunroof, a sound system upgrade, stripes and decals, automatic climate control, xenon headlights, parking sensors and special paint schemes.
Chrysler also displayed the Abarth 500 at the 2010 Toronto Auto Show, which is powered by a turbocharged version of the 1.4 that develops 135 horsepower and 152 pound-feet of torque, good 0-100 km/h times of under 8 seconds and a top speed of over 200 km/h. No word yet on whether it will be sold in our market, but we can’t imagine Chrysler showing it off and not selling it here.
The first 500 units sold in U.S. and Canada will be part of a Prima Edizione series, offered in three colours (white, red, gray) and will include a numbered badge according to production order. We expect the base price for the Cinquecento to exceed $20,000; it will, after all, compete with the MINI Cooper.
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| Photo: Chrysler |
We’ll finally get it. The Cinquecento will arrive in the U.S. before the end of the year, and in Canada by next February. In addition to the 3-door hatchback, a 500C cabriolet will arrive in dealers in the spring of 2011.
Three versions of the built-in-Mexico, 4-passenger 500 will be available: Pop, Lounge and Sport. They will differ in equipment levels, while the Sport trim will get slightly more aggressive front and rear fascias, a larger front grille, fog lamps, body-side cladding, red painted brake calipers, a chromed exhaust outlet and exclusive 16-inch alloy wheels.
Four engines are offered in the European 500, but only the biggest one, which will use Fiat’s MultiAir technology, will be available here, at least for now; it’s a 16-valve, 1.4-litre inline-4 that produces 100 horsepower and is mated to a 6-speed manual or an optional 5-speed automated gearbox called Duologic.
Other mechanical components include an independent front and rear axle suspension setup, four-wheel disc brakes as well as electric-assist power steering.
With a curb weight of around 2,050 lbs or 930 kg (although our version might be slightly heavier), the 500 will have a power-to-weight ratio comparable to that of a Honda Fit, which means 0-100 km/h times of about 9.5 to 10.0 seconds.
No specific equipment lists have been announced yet, but don’t expect stripper versions of the Cinquecento. Based on the European model, the Pop should include keyless entry, a tilt steering column, air conditioning, power windows and mirrors, a height-adjustable driver’s seat, a CD player with MP3 file playback, antilock brakes, 14-inch wheels and seven airbags.
The Lounge and Sport models should add a USB port, Bluetooth connectivity, a leather-wrapped wheel with audio controls, a 50/50-split folding rear seat, stability control and 15-inch alloy wheels. Keep in mind that this is pure speculation, but it should be close to what we just listed.
Optional equipment should include leather upholstery, a power glass sunroof, a sound system upgrade, stripes and decals, automatic climate control, xenon headlights, parking sensors and special paint schemes.
Chrysler also displayed the Abarth 500 at the 2010 Toronto Auto Show, which is powered by a turbocharged version of the 1.4 that develops 135 horsepower and 152 pound-feet of torque, good 0-100 km/h times of under 8 seconds and a top speed of over 200 km/h. No word yet on whether it will be sold in our market, but we can’t imagine Chrysler showing it off and not selling it here.
The first 500 units sold in U.S. and Canada will be part of a Prima Edizione series, offered in three colours (white, red, gray) and will include a numbered badge according to production order. We expect the base price for the Cinquecento to exceed $20,000; it will, after all, compete with the MINI Cooper.
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| Photo: Chrysler |
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