The Fiat 500 due to go on sale in Brazil this month was introduced to national media today in Rio de Janeiro.
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The car is also due for launch in Colombia, Barbados and Panama – and will also go on sale in Jamaica before the end of 2009. It is already available in Argentina, Chile, Curaçao, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, the Dominican Republic, Sain Martin and Paraguay.
The Brazil specification offers ‘Sport’ or ‘Lounge’ trim and equipment and the only available engine is the 100 hp 1.4-litre 16v petrol unit with standard six-speed gearbox or optional five-speed ‘Dualogic’ automated manual.
Fiat said both the power unit and suspension have been adapted to local market needs: the injection system has been re-calibrated to suit the 22% of ethanol present in petrol sold in Brazil. Some components that come into in direct contact with this market-specific fuel have also been changed. The suspension has also been revised for the Brazilian roads by increasing the flexibility of the springs and the shock absorber travel.
The Brazilian version has seven airbags as standard (two front airbags, two window bags, two sidebags and one knee bag) plus ABS with electronic brake distribution (EBD), ESP, an antislip (ASR) system, a hill holder and hydraulic brake assistance (HBA) to help with emergency stops.
Since launch Fiat has taken 390,000 orders for the 500 world-wide.
