Fiat’s North American specification 500 has finally been revealed at a product-fest for dealers in Florida. Chrysler is emphasising a sporty look with Fiat, equipping the 500 Sport variant with specially-tuned suspension, enhanced front and rear fascias with a larger grille and flared aerodynamic treatment. There are also 16-inch aluminium wheels with grey painted pockets and body-side sill cladding.
Red painted brake callipers, a chromed exhaust tip and gloss black shadow line window trim are also specified along with a tailgate re-strike to accommodate the narrower and taller registration plates used across the Atlantic. The 500 Sport will have an optional ‘SkyDome’ power sun roof and the line will also be offered with Pop and Lounge trims.
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The chosen engine is a 1.4-litre ‘MultiAir’ unit – the one-litre and 1.2 litre petrol and 1.4 diesels offered in Europe are not going to the US.
What Chrysler will do about automatic transmissions is not yet clear. It’s unlikely the automated manual options will go to North America; the 500 may get a new twin-clutch automatic just being rolled out in Europe now. While Honda’s Jazz (Fit in the US) get 1.4 petrols mated to automated manuals, their US counterparts get 1.5s with conventional full automatics. Ford, however, has bucked the trend by standardising a 1.6 petrol engine with its new ‘Powershift’ twin clutch automatic.
North American ordering will begin later this year and the 500C (cabrio) follows in spring 2011.
Dealers have also been shown updated Jeep Patriot and Chrysler Town and Country (minivan) models as well as a restyled car called the 200 which will replace the Sebring.
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