Watch Alex On Autos Video Review - 2017 Fiat 124 Spider

Fiat is in a sorry state in the United States.

Through the first five months of 2016, sales of the Fiat 500, the first Fiat launched in Fiat's return to the U.S. market, are down 48%. The Fiat 500L, panned from the get-go, may not find 5000 U.S. buyers in 2016. The Fiat 500X, a close relative of the Jeep Renegade, sells but once for every seven Renegades.

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Watch Alex On Autos 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata Video Review
Historical Monthly & Yearly Fiat Brand Sales Figures

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But there's a new Fiat incoming. Like the 500X, the 2017 Fiat 124 Spider is a close relative of another brand's very differently styled car. But while the 124 Spider shares the Mazda MX-5 Miata's underpinnings, there's a different powertrain and a different personality.

Early reviews of the 124 Spider – which we at GCBC believe isn't nearly as attractive as the MX-5 Miata, for the record – are very positive. "Some will miss the Mazda version’s nervous energy, but we appreciate that the Fiata skipped that last shot of espresso," wrote Car & Driver's Tony Quiroga. "The Abarth is just brilliant," according to TTAC's Jack Baruth.

Alex Dykes' video review of the 2017 Fiat 124 Spider is the most detailed and thorough on YouTube. Here's the next 20 minutes of your Sunday.

Timothy Cain is the founder of GoodCarBadCar.net, which obsesses over the free and frequent publication of U.S. and Canadian auto sales figures. Follow on Twitter @goodcarbadcar and on Facebook. Alex On Autos is also on Facebook and Twitter.

GCBC's The Bad 8 For 2016

In 2016, for a second consecutive year, GCBC's The Bad 8 features only two new nameplates. Six contestants remain from last year, as an insufficient number of new vehicles have been awful enough to replace them. As was the case last year, these are the vehicles that would be least welcomed in GCBC Towers' driveway, definitely rejected for the long-term even if welcomed briefly. 

Let's put it this way: Do you want to get us something for Christmas? Please don't get us any of these vehicles.

They're listed here for a number of reasons, some for just one reason. Whatever the reason, it's bad enough to cause your sales analyst of choice to reject the car so completely that I'd prefer to own anything else on the market; to reject the car so completely that you, too, should strongly consider avoiding it at all costs.

One key premise behind modern car reviewing suggests that, in 2016, there's no such thing as a bad car. That's not completely true, but even if it was, that doesn't mean you can't do better. In the case of these eight cars, you can definitely do better. It's not purely about reliability or durability or outright performance - it's about desirability, and the point at which desirability lines up with perceived value. These eight vehicles have their pluses, but the minuses – however few or however many - far outweigh the positive side of the ledger.

Click any of the images to be taken to the model's Sales Stats page. Don't forget to check out GCBC's The Good 12, the list of vehicles you should definitely park in GCBC Towers' driveway on Christmas morning.

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	Acura RLX The RLX is a fine car. But in execution, all its rivals do every little thing a little bit better. Cumulatively, that's a lot of things. A lot of things multiplied by a little bit equals a whole lot better.  Alternative: Cadillac CTS
	BMW X4 In a sense, the X4 is everything the X3 is, only with less space, less style, and more cost. What's worse, the X4 is here as a representative of a whole class: BMW X4, BMW X6, Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe. Alternative: BMW X3
	Buick Encore The Buick Encore doesn't like to accelerate. The seating position will make some people think Buick is playing a cruel joke. It's expensive, painfully cutesy, and pointless. Alternative: Mazda CX-3
	Fiat 500L It would be one thing for the 500L to be awkward, or painful to drive, or unreliable. But the 500L is all three. Alternative: Kia Soul
	Jeep Renegade Limited Not all Renegades are awful. But when you start luxing up a Renegade, it gets very sketchy. The price reaches into territory no car with NVH this awful deserves to inhabit. At this price point, buy something properly refined and roomy. Alternative: Kia Sorento
	Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Convertible This is just silly. And silly is acceptable. Sometimes. But not when the sand is going to be blown back into the cabin.  Alternative: Porsche Macan S
	Mitsubishi Mirage The Mirage is actually being restyled for model year 2016. It's still ghastly. And styling aside, the car still feels like a third-world city car attempt. There's simply no need. Alternative: Nissan Micra
	Nissan Versa Sedan This problem has been resolved. In part. The Versa sedan is no longer on sale in Canada. Americans, however, must turn away from this stain on automotive design. It's not as though there are other redeeming qualities. Alternative: Honda Fit

Auto News For Thursday, December 11, 2015 - Ford Spends $4.5 Billion On Electrification, IIHS Top Safety Picks, Fiat Falling

Here are the five must-read, must-watch auto news stories and videos for Friday, December 11, 2015.

FUTURE
Ford wants you to think of the Blue Oval not just as a symbol of an automaker, but as a technology company. Whatever. Regardless, Ford is pouring $4.5 billion into electric car development over the next five years.

SAFETY
The Scion iA, Acura ILX, Chevrolet Sonic, Kia Soul, Mazda 3, Nissan Sentra, Subaru Crosstrek, Subaru Impreza, and Volkswagen Golf are some of the more affordable vehicles named this week as IIHS Top Safety Picks. Many of the vehicles on the IIHS list require optional front crash prevention kit.

TTAC
Fiat sales are crumbling in the United States. Though the brand now markets three models, sales in 2015 will be some 4% lower than they were in 2012, when Fiat was a newly launched brand in North America with just one model.

AWD
Brendan McAleer delves into the details of four driven wheels: the benefits and the variants.

WATCH
The first comment on Alex Dykes' video review of the 2016 Shelby Super Snake Mustang says, "Where is the new Prius! I want see you review 2016 Prius! LOL."

Auto News For Thursday, November 19, 2015 - Five Important Los Angeles Auto Show Production Debuts

Here are the six must-read, must-watch auto news stories, recalls and videos for Thursday, November 19, 2015.

HYUNDAI
The new Elantra, Canada's second-best-selling car in each of the last four years, isn't a revolutionary leap forward like the last car was. But it is significantly altered, perhaps more than appearances suggest. This sixth-generation Elantra joins a fleet of recently updated or completely reengineered compacts from Honda, Chevrolet, and Nissan with a new 2.0L four-cylinder (147 horsepower) and an optional 1.4L turbocharged four-cylinder. The car will be roomier, quieter, and more Sonata-like inside. Before dipping in 2014 – and rising again in 2015 – U.S. Elantra volume had improved in six consecutive years.

NISSAN
The Nissan Sentra was already on a roll before Nissan revealed this restyled car at the Los Angeles Auto Show yesterday. Among U.S. passenger cars, the Sentra's market share increased from 1.43% in 2012 to 1.66% in 2013, 2.31% in 2014, and 2.57% through the first ten months of 2015, nearly doubling over that period of time. Yes, cars aren't as interesting to buyers right now as SUVs and crossovers are – Nissan's Rogue sees to that – but the Sentra is bucking the trend.

BUICK
Sure, you're not going to buy a new Buick LaCrosse. We're not going to buy a new Buick LaCrosse. But enough LaCrosses will be sold in order for you to rent one; in order for you to be sorely tempted by the terrific pre-owned deals on LaCrosses. U.S. LaCrosse sales plunged 44% between 2005 and 2014. Canadian Allure/LaCrosse volume dropped from 14,408 in 2005 to only 1557 units last year, an 89% plunge. Regardless, the new car looks absolutely delicious, if a little too-Impala-copycat above the rear wheels. (They're related.) But it's 300 pounds lighter than the previous LaCrosse, fills the wheelarches like GM products never used to be able to, and the interior is positively upmarket.

MAZDA
The first-generation Mazda CX-9 joined the 5 in, sort of, replacing the Mazda MPV. The CX-9, to be frank, flopped. It's great to drive, but that's not enough in a segment where people don't really care so much about whether a car is great to drive. The new CX-9 will be more efficient, Mazda says. It's also more handsome. But the biggest factor that could cause Mazda USA to sell more than 1700/month as they do now is the overall newness of the vehicle. The first CX-9 is a Ford-related vehicle from 2007.

FIAT
We covered the Mazda MX-5 Miata's twin from Fiat, the 124 Spider, in yesterday's news. We're not fans. However, opinion is rather divided. In a poll at Autoblog with nearly 10,000 respondents, four in ten prefer the look of the Fiat.

CONCEPTS
Why shoot yourself in the foot? This is the way of the automotive world, but it continues to amaze us, as automakers set themselves up to disappoint potential customers. The Tokyo Motor Show's Impreza 5-Door Hatch concept is a spectacularly surfaced vehicle that won't look like the next-generation Impreza. At the Los Angeles Auto Show, Subaru showed a similar Impreza concept, only in sedan guise. Subaru insists this is very much the production car, only with detail changes. But once the crazy headlights, stunning wing mirrors, and massive wheels are removed, the car will look very, very different. Details matter. And without the stunning details, the production Impreza will not be half this exciting. Subaru isn't the only offender. You really think a production Scion C-HR will look like this?

Auto News For Wednesday, November 18, 2015 - Fiat 124 Spider Is A Less Attractive Mazda MX-5 Miata

Here are the five must-read, must-watch auto news stories, recalls and videos for Wednesday, November 18, 2015.

FIAT
Time was, we thought this car would turn out to be an Alfa Romeo. But here it is, the Fiat version of the new Mazda MX-5 Miata. So if you want a less attractive Mazda MX-5 Miata, you’ll seen be able to get a Fiat 124 Spider.

LINCOLN
Remember when Ford’s Premiere Automotive Group held brands like Aston Martin, Volvo, Land Rover, Jaguar, and Lincoln? They’re separate entities now (except for Land Rover and Jaguar) with different owners. But for some reason, Lincoln just stole Jaguar’s grille for its facelifted MKZ, which will also be available with a unique-to-Lincoln 3.0L twin-turbocharged 400-horsepower V6.

HONDA
The new tenth-gen Civic sedan is already on sale. Now we know what the Civic Coupe looks like. It’s not the prettiest car on the block, but it’s not as dull or bloated as the ninth-gen Civic two-door.

JAGUAR
Now that we know the Jaguar XE will be really rather affordable, it’s important to know whether evo magazine thinks it’s a great car to drive. Says evo, “The XE thunders straight to the top of the class."

WATCH 
Surely the ideal Consumer Reports reader overlaps with the target market for the Toyota Prius, right? Here’s Consumer Reports’ first video of the fourth-generation 2016 Toyota Prius.

Auto News For Thursday, November 12, 2015 - Fiat Fullback Is A Mitsubishi Pickup You Can't Have

Here are the six must-read, must-watch auto news stories, recalls and videos for Thursday, November 12, 2015.

TRUCKS
Take one Mitsubishi L200, apply a Fiat badge to the grille, change its name to Fullback, and you have yet another new non-full-size pickup truck that won't be sold in North America.

LOS ANGELES
The upcoming Los Angeles Auto Show will host a number of significant new vehicle debuts: 2016 Honda Civic Coupe, a Toyota/Scion CH-R, Mitsubishi's replacement for the Outlander Sport/RVR, and the already seen Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Convertible.

AUTOFOCUS
18. That's the number of years – consecutive years – in which the Honda Civic has been Canada's best-selling car. Admittedly, the 18th year, 2015, isn't over yet. But the Civic's lead is so great, no other car will generate as much volume in the full calendar year as the Civic did in the first 10 months of 2015.

TTAC
Where are Fiat Chrysler Automobiles' U.S. operations without Jeep? Put it this way: it wouldn't be a pretty picture. 

WATCH 
Alex On Autos' Alex Dykes reviews the slightly refreshed 2016 Honda Accord. The 2016 model year at Honda will focus on an all-new tenth-gen Civic, but there are changes to the Accord worth noting in AOA's most thorough and detailed video reviews on the internet.

Auto News For Friday, June 19, 2015 - Lincoln Drops MKX Price For 2016

Here are the six must-read, must-watch auto news stories, review and videos for Friday, June 19, 2015.

INSIDE THE AUTO INDUSTRY
When Ford’s upmarket Lincoln division finally released an Escape-based entry-level luxury crossover, the MKC, it seemed likely that Lincoln would see fit to move the Edge-based MKX upmarket. And they have. The all-new 2016 Lincoln MKX will reach to greater pricing heights when fully optioned. But its base price is lower now than it was a year ago. 

JALOPNIK
It’s an all-new model, so it’s no surprise at all to see the Ford Mustang outselling its rivals in the U.S. But it owns half the market for Detroit muscle in Canada, where the Chevrolet Camaro and Dodge Charger are built. 

AUTOFOCUS
Speaking of vehicles built in Canada, there are more than 20 assembled in southern Ontario. Together they account for 17% of the new vehicles sold in Canada, down from 18% at this time a year ago. Autofocus has them ranked by year-to-date volume. 

TTAC
Nissan’s Maxima has been a downward trend for years. Will the release of a new model change that fact? Maxima volume declined in the U.S. in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, and 2014. 

RECALL
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has recalled 3851 Fiat 500E - that’s the electric 500 - because the EVCU, “may set a diagnostic trouble code that may cause the transmission to unexpectedly shift to neutral.” 

WATCH
You’re familiar with the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG. But when the Brits at Telegraph Cars review the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG, they review the wagon. And they call it the C63 AMG Estate.

Auto News For Thursday, May 28, 2015 - Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Reducing Its Warranty

Here are the five must-read, must-watch auto news stories, reviews, and videos for Thursday, May 28, 2015.

INSIDE THE AUTO BUSINESS
Following GM’s move from a couple months ago, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles will reduce its 5-year/100,000 U.S. powertrain warranty of in favour of a 5-year/60,000 mile warranty. The change applies to Chryslers, Jeeps, Dodges, and Rams. Fiat’s powertrain warranty stretches only to four years or 50,000 miles.

TTAC
Can Hyundai USA really sell 50,000 copies of the Santa Cruz per year if, in fact, they bother to build it? The case for and against.

REVIEW
It’s comically low to be considered anything but a car. But the Mazda CX-3, a Nissan Juke fighter that’s joining the Honda HR-V, Fiat 500X, and Jeep Renegade in challenging the Chevrolet Trax and Buick Encore and Subaru XV Crosstrek and the front-wheel-drive-only Kia Soul, will be labelled as an SUV or crossover by both observers and buyers. That’s essential if the CX-3 is going to be successful. Here’s CarAdvice’s thorough Aussie video review  and here’s the text version.

RECALL
GM is recalling 126 Chevrolet Impalas (model year 2014) because, “the electronic parking brake piston actuation arm may not fully retract causing the brake pads to stay partially engaged.”

GM is also recalling 40 Chevrolet Colorados and GMC Canyons (model year 2015) because, “the affected vehicles have a front driver air bag inflator that may be misaligned to the air bag module backplate.”

WATCH
CarBuyer.co.uk’s video reviews tread the middle ground between the typical brief-with-beauty-shots of many publications and Alex Dykes’ long but wonderfully detailed reviews. Here’s CarBuyer’s look at the 2015 Volvo XC90.

Auto News For Wednesday, May 27, 2015 - GM Invests $1.2 Billion In Fort Wayne

Here are the six must-read, must-watch auto news stories, reviews, and videos for Wednesday, May 27, 2015.

INSIDE THE PICKUP TRUCK BUSINESS
Whenever pickup trucks are selling really well, there's an underlying sense of doubt. "Surely this can't last forever," or, "Something's got to give." General Motors has little doubt, however, as the automaker just announced that they'll spend $1.2 billion – that's b-b-b-billion with a b - to double the size of their Fort Wayne, Indiana, plant.

INSIDE THE AUTO RUMOUR MILL
Motor Trend reports that Cadillac has much more up its sleeve than the ATS-V. Imagine an ATS-V+ with a 505-horsepower 7.0L V8 from the previous-generation Corvette Z06.

INSIDE THE AUTO RENDERING BUSINESS
Is this what the upcoming 3-Series challenger from Alfa Romeo will look like? Alfa surely needs something that will sell, but style alone hasn't proven sufficient in the past.

TTAC
Yes, Virginia, U.S. sales of the Chevrolet SS are on the upswing. Barely. Slightly. SS volume increased by 16 units, year-over-year, but that's a big change for the big Aussie Chevy.

REVIEW
When I say Maybach, you say tasteless. When I say Mercedes-Maybach S600, you say... surprisingly tasteful?

WATCH
Fifth Gear's Tiff, Jonny, and Vicki got together to drive the new Fiat 500X, a car which goes on sale shortly in North America, as well. As usual, Tiff and Jonny and Vicki look cold. 

2013's The Good 12 - Fiat 500 Turbo - $15,000-$20,000

FIAT 500 TURBO

Remember all the times you questioned whether 101 horsepower was enough in a modern automobile? Fiat heard your concerns.

The 135-horsepower 500T is no Abarth. This wasn't the car Tracy Chapman was singing about. But it's plenty swift. Horsepower is, after all, up 34% in a car which weighs just 5% more. It is indeed the 500T's weight, the wonderful lack of weight, which makes it such a worthwhile drive.

Tipping the scales at just 2477 pounds, the Fiat 500 Turbo is spectacularly maneuverable and eminently chuckable. Rather fortunately, the 500's ride never deteriorates the way you'd expect from a car with less than eight feet of wheelbase. 

Fiat did more to this 500 than just up the underhood ante. There's a subtle bodykit, upgraded brakes, and the 500 Sport's suspension. 

Compared with more conventional cars like the best-selling Honda Civic, Good 12-winning Kia Rio, and pricier Volkswagen Golf, the 500 is a bit of an oddball. Yet its flair is distinctly Italian. In North America, unless you can afford a Ferrari, Maserati, or Lamborghini, the 500 is the only way to find that seductive flair.

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Engine: 135 horsepower; 150 lb-ft of torque from a turbocharged 1.4L four-cylinder

Base USD/CAD Price: $19,500 / $18,495

City Fuel Economy: 28 miles per gallon

It's Not Perfect: There are rear seats in the 500T, but they're difficult for an adult to access and even more difficult for an adult to tolerate for more than a moment. Some interior parts don't measure up to the high quality of other parts. Too cute can also be too much of a bad thing. And though clearly not a guzzler, fuel economy isn't the 500's strong suit.

Sales Stats: There was one rival in view when Fiat returned to North America. Fiat's 500 is easily outselling the whole Mini brand in Canada, and in the U.S., the 500 is right in line with equivalent Minis. The turbocharged mid-range car will only generate greater Cinquecento volume.

Viable Alternatives: The Mini Cooper springs to mind.

The Good 12

Kia Rio 5-Door - Fiat 500 Turbo - Volkswagen Golf GTI
Jeep Wrangler Unlimited - Dodge Ram - BMW 328i
Ford F-150 SVT Raptor - Chevrolet Suburban -
Mercedes-Benz E350 4Matic Wagon - Porsche Boxster S - 
Porsche Cayenne S - Land Rover Range Rover

The Bad 8

Chevrolet Spark - Chrysler 200 Convertible -
Ford Escape Titanium AWD - Honda Crosstour - 
Lincoln MKS - Nissan Versa Sedan -
Toyota Corolla CE - Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid

The Good 12 Rules

What Can The Fiat 500L Do For Fiat USA?

Let's assume for a moment that the new Fiat 500L will undercut the Mini Countryman in price, just as the 500 undercuts the Cooper. With that assumption in mind, we'll assume that the stylistically-challenged Fiat 500L might sell at least as often as the Countryman. 

The 500L is only available with front-wheel-drive. Even the Mini is only available with all-wheel-drive at the top of lineup. Neither car is a faithful design follower of the iconic original; the Fiat less so. Neither car is particularly quick. Both cars feature highly stylized interiors, neither of which is roomy like a proper SUV. By Mini standards, the Countryman isn't pretty. By car standards, the Fiat is ill-proportioned.

Regardless of their stark differences and apparent similarities, it's safe to project approximately 20,000 annual U.S. sales for the 500L, based on the Mini Countryman's total. Fiat USA will likely sell around 43,000 500s in 2012.

If the 500L can find 20,000 buyers in 2013 while selling another 43,000 500 hatchbacks, where does this position the Fiat brand?

Strictly judged by volume,  Fiat would only barely be trailing Mini. Fiat would be selling nearly as many cars as Volvo and would be selling twice as many vehicles as Porsche. 

Even if the 500L becomes a 20,000-units type of vehicle, Fiat won't sell 20,000 in what will be an abbreviated 2013 launch year. Yet we can still expect to see Fiat's 2013 year-end volume climbing at least 40% even if the 500 posts no year-over-year sales increase.

Check out historic monthly and yearly sales figures for the regular Fiat 500, Mini Cooper range, Mini Countryman, and any other vehicle or brand by making your selection at GCBC's Sales Stats home. U.S. brand rankings, where Fiat ranked 29th in October and Mini ranked 24th, can be accessed here.

Fiat Halifax News

The vast majority of GoodCarBadCar.net readers aren't from Canada. The vast majority of Canadian GoodCarBadCar.net readers aren't from Nova Scotia. Nevertheless, in deference to the homeland, this post is all for GoodCarBadCar.net's Halifax readers, with some gossip that might interest observers from away.

In the last couple years, an upheaval in the U.S. automotive industry wreaked havoc on the dealer networks of General Motors and Chrysler. This resulted in Carroll Pontiac Buick GMC Hummer closing up on the Bedford Highway and Forbes Chevrolet Cadillac permanently vacating the premises on Portland Street. McPhee, the owner of Forbes as well as its own GM dealership and Halifax Chrysler, was royally messed up. Steele Chrysler moved in to take over Bayers Lake-based Halifax Chrysler. This you know.

As for the Fiat connection, well, this is where it gets interesting. Nova Scotia's only Fiat franchise was awarded to Halifax Chrysler. After speaking to a couple sales reps in Bayers Lake, however, I learned that Chrysler Canada/Fiat/Sergio Marchionne wasn't happy with the showroom situation out there. Carroll's old store on the Bedford Highway, right beside Atlantic Acura, had been closed for a while. Steele Chrysler's showroom on Kempt Road is a terrible affair. As you might've then guessed, Steele Auto Group will be taking over the spot on the Bedford Highway for Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep. 

The 500, incidentally, will be parked right where Hummer used to be in its own Fiat-specific corner.

Now things get interesting. Fiat Canada sold nine cars in the waning days of February, surely all of which were pre-sold Prima Edizione 500s. Halifax Chrysler will be getting three Fiat 500s, all of which are fully loaded $22K+ cars, all of which are sold, two of which were sold to "Italian brothers". It's likely that the handover won't even be dealt with in Bayers Lake. After the 500s roll off the truck, they'll be taken to one of Steele's more urban locations where the sale will be finalized. Apparently one of these first three 500s sold is going to Halifax's first owner of the first-generation smart fortwo, a car this owner still has. Allegedly.

Saying he'd been in close contact with Fiat - which I'm guessing doesn't mean Fiat HQ in Turin - this once-upon-a-time Fiat salesman who is no longer eligible to sell a 500 says fewer than 2000 500s have been built for Fiat's North American dealers at this point. While he's certain that'll change rapidly, the thought of 50,000 continental Cinquencento sales, let alone 50,000 annual sales solely in the U.S., still seemed impossible once he considered the limited appeal of one specific model. 

This great new Chrysler 300 every reviewer seems to admire so? Chrysler Canada dealers can't get their hands on them, says this salesman, at least not dealers in this locale. Same goes for all 2011 Chrysler/Dodge cars. Minivans and trucks? There've been tons made, tons sold, and many more are on the way.

The Good 12-winning Jeep Wrangler will be promoted with big incentives come mid-April. So for the 900 or so Canadians who plan on buying a Wrangler in March and haven't yet done so, I tell ye wait. Wait on that.

The 2012 Fiat 500 is currently featured on the Canadian website with 5.99% financing. So you might want to wait on that, too, potential Fiat buyers. The 500 is another Good 12-winning product from Chry... er, Fiat... oh, whatever ya call it. Says my "source" (attempting to speak like a reporter is so tedious), Fiat wants to ramp up the 500 slowly so they can see how buyers react to different trim levels before they decide to build thousands of 500s in Lounge trim when Sport or Pop is more sought after. Supply, therefore, will be weak for some time.

Patience, grasshopper. Patience.

Related From GoodCarBadCar.net
2011's The Good 12 Part 4 - Fiat 500

Fiat 500: Old vs. New
Watch The Fiat Panda 4x4 In Action Off-Road
Fiat 500C Gallery

FERRARI, ROLLS-ROYCE & ASTON MARTIN ARE ALL MANUFACTURERS OF SMALL CARS?

In a fight to be seen as both eco-conscious and economically aware, automakers which traditionally sell cars priced in the stratosphere are bringing their badges down to our level.

Aston Martin will be applying its grimacing grille to the front end of the Toyota iQ. They'll call it the Aston Martin Cygnet; they'll lux it up a fair bit; and they'll double the price.

Ferrari, meanwhile, will stick its badges on the 695 Tributo Ferrari, a hopped-up version of the Fiat 500. At least the Fiat 500 695 Tributo Ferrari will be significantly quicker than the regular 500, something that can't be said of the Cygnet.

Finally we have Rolls-Royce. The manufacturer of Phantoms and Drophead Coupes will soon be known as a custom outfitter of Mini Coopers. Mini Rolls will supposedly look just like regular Minis but inside - oh yes, inside - Rolls will have its way with high-end materials. Perhaps an umbrellla in the door, too?

Obviously the connection between Fiat and Ferrari is obvious. Fiat owns 85% of the autonomously-run supercar producer. Mini and Rolls-Royce are both owned by Germany-based BMW. But the Aston Martin/Toyota relationship is a curious one. Regardless, all three of the high-dollar brands will be endlessly criticized for degrading their brand values.

If part of what makes the Ferrari 458 Italia so special is its exclusivity, doesn't a commonplace Fiat 500 Tributo lessen that joy?

Consider the outrageous prices Rolls-Royce clients justify as a result of uncommon leather-lined seating and permanently upright wheelhub badges. Do you really want to pay so much more for the privilege when Mini customers receive some of the same treatments?

Meanwhile Aston Martin isn't simply badging Toyota iQs with logos from Gaydon. No, Aston is changing the whole look of the car. So the same company which builds the V8 Vantage, DB9, Rapide, and DBS will sell city cars?

However, there will be an unseemly amount of short term gain. Why else would Ferrari, Rolls-Royce, and Aston Martin participate in such a scheme? Businesses are on this planet to generate profits. Peering through the long-term tunnel to see the negative impacts come 2016 is not an easy procedure. In terms of these increasingly common small car ventures, it's a procedure to which certain supercar manufacturers are unwilling to submit.

WATCH THE FIAT PANDA 4X4 IN ACTION OFF ROAD

Earlier today, The Good Car Guy sated your appetite for more knowledge of future Chrysler products with a look at the dimensions of the Fiat Panda 4x4; a vehicle that could become the Jeep Phoenix. Now it's time to see said vehicle in action. Pitted against one of the loveliest automobiles on the planet, Land Rover's Range Rover, the tidy Panda proved its mettle in an off-road comparo.

How many North Americans take their off-roaders off-roading? Few, hardly any, barely a handful. However, as a disingenuous Jeep, the Fiat must make up for its heritage with credibility. Check out this Fifth Gear clip to see how the Panda 4x4 makes out in a muddy quarry. For more extreme off-road footage of the Panda 4x4 and the Range Rover, have a look at the second clip. You may be unable to understand the spoken words.

THE EVOLUTION OF THE NEW, MODERN FIAT 500

In an era when spy shots of upcoming vehicles weren't plastered across Google Image search results and preliminary specifactions failed to grab the attention of blogosphere comment sections, Fiat, the Italian Automobile Factory of Torino, manufactured the 500. Between 1957 and 1975, the diminutive 500 was equipped with similarly diminutive engines. Generally, with capacities under 1 litre, the 500 wasn't fast but was driven on Italian highways and village roads as though it was Ferrari-like in its ability. 

There's a new Fiat 500 now. Fiat calls it "bumper-to-bumper cool". At first glance you will assume the new 500 is a retro imitation of the original, but in size alone, the new 500 clearly diverts. Fiat has extended the length of the modern 500 by nearly two feet, in part to deal with current safety regulations. 

While still inexpensive, the Fiat 500 caters slightly to the premium small-car buying crowd that loves the Mini Cooper. Fiat's Panda, the car on which the 500 is based, is left to mop up the truly economical segment. Times are moving quickly in Turin, however, and even the new 500 is moving on. For a better understanding, take a look at the evolution of the Nuova 500. 

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FIAT TREPIUNO CONCEPT: Technologically advanced in a way that couldn't lead anyone to believe Fiat was aiming for the bargain basement with the modern incarnation of the 500.

FIAT 500: Maximum horsepower sits at 100bhp from a 1.4L, but if you can make it under the bar, one can go as low as a 69bhp 1.2L.

FIAT 500 ABARTH: Bumping horsepower up 35% is nothing to sneeze at, even if 135bhp sounds small. Abarth is now to Fiat what AMG is to Mercedes-Benz.

FIAT 500 ABARTH ESSEESSE: If Abarth is the equivalent of AMG, the esseesse is the equivalent of the AMG Black series. Its kit will hit your dealer in a famous Abarth box with perforated and ventilated front brake discs; lowering springs; and white or titanium wheels. Oh, and 160 horsepower. The Fiat 500 Abarth esseesse should be able to top 130mph.

FIAT 500 ABARTH ASSETTO CORSE: 49 examples of the Assetto Corse will be built for track users. Ultra-light racing wheels are just one of multiple weight-saving measures that stripped away 180kg (396 lbs). Owners also receive their own Assetto Corse overalls, helmets, gloves, and shoes.

DEBUT - ABARTH FIAT 500

Once named Southern Europe's Impact Car of the Year can also be had in the once-revered (still-revered) Abarth form now. Carlo Abarth founded the firm in 1949 as a racing outfit and tuner but Abarth was sold to Fiat in 1971. Although there have been rough years for Fiat in the recent past - which equated to Abarth neglect - Fiat can now rightfully attach the Scorpion logo to its suddenly famous small car.  

Does 135bhp sound weak to you?  It ain't.  The very good Fiat Panda 100HP on which the 500 is based makes do with, yes; 100 horsepower.  152 lb-ft of torque isn't shabby, either.  Fiat generates this power with a turbocharged 1.4L four-cylinder.

PROFILE: LUCA DE MEO - ALFA ROMEO

Pictured on the passenger side of the Fiat 500 is Luca de Meo.  Sergio Marchionne, an Italian-Canadian and Fiat CEO, has appointed de Meo to be head of Fiat-owned Alfa Romeo.  Poor Alfa; a brand that has struggled with dealers, reliability, and positioning.  It is now Luca de Meo's turn to try and sort it all out. Antonio Baravalle was the last to make an attempt.  Alfa, somewhat like Ford earlier this decade, has introduced a halo model far above the regular production models available in their showrooms. Granted, just like the Ford GT, Alfa's 8C Competizione is a wonderful vehicle.  As far as its bearing on the Alfa's people like you and I could drive.... the 8C becomes nigh-on inconsequential.  

Luca de Meo's job, like it was when he served the Group at Fiat, is to turn Alfa Romeo around.  Slumping sales is gross to Luca. Here then, simulcast with News via Quote at http://www.currentquotes.blogspot.com, is their story.

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"One of De Meo’s duties is to take an out-of-the-box approach to Alfa’s US return." Fiat Group CEO Sergio Marchionne.

"It will be more difficult than Fiat - at least with Fiat we knew where to start." Alfa Romeo's new CEO and still Chief Marketing Officer across the Fiat Group, Luca de Meo.

"If we can do it there, it should work anywhere." Luca de Meo references the United Kingdom market, where Alfa saw a 30-40% increase in sales last year, making it the fastest growing brand in the UK. This came after a total revamp of the dealer network and a 50% reduction in showrooms.

"The difference this time, is that I am going to do it." Luca de Meo responds to the fact that Karl-Heinz Kalbfell and Antonio Baravalle have made noble attempt towards the same goal.

"Alfa Romeos need to be compact, agile, pretty powerful, beautiful and with a good engine noise. It's not rocket science, but it's difficult to actually do." Mr. de Meo succinctly describes the perfect Alfa Romeo and the difficulty to produce it.

"This is the man who I have given the unforgivable task of trying to fix Alfa Romeo." Sergio Marchionne describes the difficult job description as he introduces his problem solver, Luca de Meo.