Tag: Fiat

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Fiat WRC

Is Fiat the next manufacturer to join the WRC?

Abarth 500 esseesse

The resurgence in manufacturer support for the WRC could be set to take another step with word coming Fiat is keen to join the sport. The Italian auto giant would likely use its performance Abarth brand with a view to start racing in 2013 or 2014.

Already competing in lower level rally competitions such as the IRC, it’s expected Abarth would upgrade its current Punto S2000 to WRC spec. Although, it would be nice to see a Fiat 500-based machine in action.

It will be great news for WRC if this rumour comes to fruition and follows the recent additions of MINI and Volkswagen to the series.

[Source: Autoblog]

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Alfa Romeo Fiat Volkswagen

Volkswagen CEO admits “we’d be interested” in Alfa Romeo

Volkswagen-Alfa Romeo-Fiat

In late August news emerged that Volkswagen insiders had confirmed a keen interest in buying Alfa Romeo. Back then people were willing to talk, but they weren’t prepared to give their names. Now, word has come straight from the top with Martin Winterkorn, Volkswagen Group CEO, admitting, “Alfa is a very emotional brand. If Fiat considers selling, we’d be interested.”

Winterkorn went further, offering a critique of the Alfa brand and highlighting where improvements could be made, “It’s a beautiful brand but there are quality issues with the engines and suspension systems for example. I’m quite sure we could make a beautiful brand out of Alfa again.”

According to the Volkswagen CEO they no interest in making a bid for Alfa and would only be willing to deal if Fiat expresses an interest to sell.

[Source: Autocar]

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Fiat

Abarth Punto EVO photo gallery

Abarth Punto EVO

The Abarth Punto EVO has just gone on sale in the UK. It is powered by a 1.4 litre turbo four with “MultiAir technology”. The feisty Punto can punt its way to 100km/h in 7.9 seconds. Peak power from the Punto EVO engine is 165bhp (123kW), which is complemented by 250Nm of torque from 2250rpm. A 180bhp+ esseesse upgrade will also be made available in the future.

Inside there’s race-style front seats, a smart looking interior and a bloody big sport button that sharpens up the EVO’s responses. You also get Brembo brake calipers and sticky Pirelli rubber wrapped around model specific 17″ alloys.

Fuel consumption for this car is around 6l/100km and CO2 emissions are a relatively responsible 142g/km. And it’s all packaged up in a pretty decent looking hatchback body. The Abarth Punto EVO has the makings for a very tasty city car, then. The only disappointment is that the Punto EVO is currently not on the local importer’s radar.

So you’ll just have to make do with a press release and a raft of images, which are all yours after the break.

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Fiat

Fiat Abarth 500

Fiat Abarth 500

The new Fiat Abarth 500 has recently been launched in the UK. The car was loved by Jeremy Clarkson on Top Gear and the rekindling of the Abarth’s scorpion badge is sure to get a few pulses racing.

Powered by a 1.4-litre 16-valve turbo engine the Abarth 500 produces 100kW (135bhp) at 5500rpm. With the use of the, now apparently mandatory, Sport mode peak torque reaches 206Nm at 3000rpm. That’s enough to take the little Fiat from rest to 100km/h in 7.9 seconds, not earth shattering performance by any means, but spritely all the same.

However, if you want more power from your Abarth Fiat has you covered with the esseesse (SS) upgrade. For an extra £2500 the lads at the Fix It Again Tony garage will tweak your engine’s ECU to taking power up to 120kW (160bhp). To allow for better breathing a BMC air filter is also included. That’s not all, though, as uprated brakes and suspension are also included in the conversion which can be retro fiitted within the first 12 months or 20,000 kilometres of ownership. You even get to keep the box your esseesse kit is delivered in.

I’ve never been a huge fan of the Fiat 500 look. It’s cute enough, it’s city enough, but the awkward looking headlight treatment makes the car appear to have four funny eyes. Never mind that, though, getting some time behind the wheel of the esseesse model would no doubt be a barrel of laughs.

Full presser and more pics after the jump.

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Fiat

Fix It Again Tony

This Fiat van is very unreliable

All publicity is good publicity, right?! Not so, it seems, as this Fiat customer in the UK shows. The disgruntled owner has taken matters into his own hands using sign writing on his 2007 model Doblò to get the message out about his unhappiness. Or as the signage says, “Since new nothing but aggro”! The photo was snapped by eagle eyed London designer Ben Terrett.

Source: Noisy Decent Graphics via autoblog