NF500 / automobiles

Fiat has halted production of the 1.3 Multijet Diesel engine, as fitted to the Fiat 500, as a result of ‘anomalies’ in an externally supplied component. This means further delays for those waiting to get hold of their Diesel Fiat 500s.

Full press release from Fiat follows:

As a result of the constant quality controls carried out on all the components of Fiat Group Automobiles cars, a number of anomalies have emerged with
regard to an externally-supplied component for the 1.3 Multijet engine.

In order to verify that this supply of components meets the quality standardsrequested by Fiat, the Company has decided to suspend production of the
engines and cars on which they are mounted.

This decision has led to the suspension of production in the Bielsko Biala plant, where these engines are manufactured, as well as at certain production lines of the Mirafiori, Melfi, Termini Imerese, Tychy and Bursa plants, where models equipped with 1.3 Multijet engines are produced.

The Company is making every possible effort to speed up controls and adaptations that could become necessary, so as to reduce delays in delivery to
customers to the minimum.

Although Fiat is aware that this suspension of production will have repercussions on its delivery volumes for the month of February, it has
nonetheless decided to adopt an uncompromising and rigorous approach so as
to guarantee the highest levels of product quality to its customers.

From racing to our everyday roads, but always with a sporty approach. This is the goal behind the debut of the long-awaited ‘500 Abarth’, announced for the coming Geneva International Motor Show. The new car was developed by the Fiat Group Automobiles Style Centre in the spirit of the legendary Fiat 500 Abarth of the 1960s, and will be marketed from July through the exclusive Abarth network.

With a strong sporty personality, the new car will be powered by a Fire 1.4 16v petrol Turbo engine, which delivers a maximum of 135 bhp (99 kW) at 5,500 rpm and peak torque of 206 Nm at 3,000 rpm in ‘Sport’ mode (in ‘Normal’ mode, torque is reduced to 180 Nm at 2,500 rpm). This brilliant, smooth new engine is also a friend of the environment: like the regular Fiat model it is derived from, the new Abarth will respect future Euro 5 legislation.

Another interesting feature of the 500 Abarth is the fact that it adopts the new TTC (Torque Transfer Control) system, which improves the transfer of drive torque to the wheels, but, above all, ensures that the car behaves impeccably on bends, making it safer and more entertaining even with a sporty driving style. In other words, it is faithful to the phrase coined for the Abarths of the 1960s ‘small but wicked’.

NF500 also brings you all available images of the new Abarth 500 in high resolution, including a cut-away of the interior which reveals some exclusive styling enhancements for the Fiat 500, including front bucket seats. One thing seems for sure, if the Abarth 500 has handling and performance to match its looks, Fiat are into a winner!

The images of the 500 Abarth shown here are available at full, very high, resolution at our Flickr page for the Abarth 500.

If you were concerned that as much as you love the new Fiat 500, it’s just outside of your grasp, or your planned budget has been blown out of the water after being tempted by the impressive array of options available, then Fiat may have come up with the answer.   Fiat have announced a series of unique finance, maintenance and support packages exclusive to the new Fiat 500.  Details are given below:

‘500 cents’ and ‘50to500’: innovative solutions from Fiat Group Automobiles Financial Services

In perfect harmony with the many ways of customising the new model, Fiat Group Automobiles Financial Services has developed two innovative solutions that also underline the strategic nature of the Financial Services, and its role of captive finance company.

For Fiat Group Automobiles, ‘500’ is both a name and a brand, and the two formulae offered by Financial Services are based on this principle: ‘500 cents’ is the ideal product for the customer who purchases with a loan, while a motorist who usually uses cash, will be able to try out the new ‘50to500’ financial formula.

The new products were designed with the ‘advantages for the customer’ firmly in mind, and the loans include ‘additional services’ offered by Parts&Services, a Fiat Group Automobiles company that specialises in after-sales services and loyalty programmes.

Both financial products include a 5 year/500,000 km warranty and the ‘500 Free’ package at a discount price.

These two products will be available on all European markets, starting in Italy through Sava, and in France through Fiat Crédit, namely in the first two markets where the Fiat 500 will be launched.
With ‘500 cents’ the customer can customise his car with over 500,000 variants but the instalment remains the same: ¤ 5 a day to buy any version, engine, option or accessory. In Italy the Sava proposal is based on instalment payments (even with no down payment) varying in length up to a maximum of 5 years. In France on the other hand, the Fiat Crédit proposal is based on a leasing agreement with a final repurchase value.

With ‘50to500’ the customer collects the car, paying just 50% immediately, and the remaining 50% after two years, with no intermediate instalments (in Italy this is an instalment agreement with a large final instalment, while in France it is a leasing agreement).

The concepts of the two proposals took their inspiration from the positioning of the new 500: extreme customisation to reflect one’s own personality. It is the concept of ‘mass exclusiveness’, a car for the people that should be accessible to everyone.

‘500 Free’ from Fiat Group Automobiles Parts & Services

Fiat Group Automobiles Parts & Services has developed ‘500 Free’ for the new car, an exclusive package whose very name evokes a sense of freedom. In fact, the customer does not have to worry about anything: a mobile workshop will be at his disposal 24 hours a day to guarantee complete roadside service, even if he runs out of petrol or fills up with the wrong fuel, has a puncture, a flat battery or forgets his keys; and when it is time for periodical maintenance, the car collection service will pick the car up from his home, and his mobility will be guaranteed by the reimbursement of any taxi fares (bonus up to ¤ 50). To use the service the customer only has to call a freephone number. ‘500 Free’ will be available on all European markets for the customers who choose it, and will be included in the range of financial solutions dedicated specifically to the Fiat 500.

The new Fiat 500 has proved exceptionally popular, even before launch Fiat proudly proclaimed orders in excess of 25,000 vehicles.

Now Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne has stated his aspirations for the little car, suggesting that the new 500, being launched Tonight (4th July), can be for the automaker what the iPod has been for Apple.

In an interview published in Wednesday’s La Stampa Marchionne, who openly seeks inspiration from successful companies, spoke of his admiration for the iPod’s cutting edge marriage of value, function, and style.

I want Fiat to become the Apple of automobiles. And the 500 will be our iPod

Fiat plan to sell 50,000 new 500s before the end of 2007, and analysts are suggesting that the new Fiat 500 will do as much (if not more) for the image of the Fiat brand, as it will do for the coffers of the Italian car company.