Hot on the heels of the Chrysler-Fiat alliance announcement comes word that Chrysler is considering a crash program to fast track the Fiat 500 for sale in the U.S. If Chrysler gives the project the green light, it would be here in "well under 18 months," a source says. Set aside Fiat Group's clinic to determine whether it should bring in the 500 or the Alfa Romeo MiTo, the plan is to get the 500 into Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep dealers as soon as possible as a traffic-builder.
If the Fiat 500 can reach our shores in time for the 2010 calendar year, it will compete with such other small- and green-car showroom draws as the 2011 Ford Fiesta and Chevrolet Volt. Apparently, the 500 would need a new bumper beam and front fascia to meet U.S. offset standards, and not much else. There is cost and time in receiving U.S. certification for any new car or truck to be sold here, so, no, it cannot be done "immediately." I'm told the car would be sold in the U.S. but perhaps not Canada, because Canadian standards are actually slightly tougher. They require front turn-signal lenses to survive a 5 mph bumper test without cracking because they often double as daytime running lights, required north of the 49th parallel.
Before you plunk down some cash on a Fiat 500, you should be aware that the car is no Mini Cooper S. It is a (standard) Mini Cooper competitor, though. My source says that Chrysler plans to bring the car in with a 100-horsepower gasoline four-cylinder engine. That's in the ballpark of the standard 118-horsepower Mini Cooper, but the 500 Abarth engine makes 135 horsepower, well below the Cooper S' 172 horses.
Abarth's Web site estimates a 0-62 mph time of 7.9 seconds for its version of the 500, equipped with a five-speed manual gearbox. Mini's site estimates a 0-60 mph of 6.7 seconds for a six-speed manual-equipped S.
Point is, except for the Abarth, the 500 is not designed to be a driver's car in the manner of the Cooper. It was drawn with the same kind of impossible-to-resist interior and exterior design, though, that transcends its b-segment size. It's more a larger smart fortwo with a backseat than an Italian Mini. And so it's the type of product for which Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep dealers are desperate. I think it would be a great move for Chrysler to go forward with a Fiat 500 "crash program." What do you think? Do you know anyone who's got to have this car?
source:motor trend
