2012 Fiat 500 C Lounge Convertible Navigation Leather Bose Audio Green Coupe on 2040-cars

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Fiat Chrysler CEO says final merger talks with Peugeot going well

BRUSSELS — Fiat Chrysler's chief executive Michael Manley said on Wednesday that merger talks with Peugeot owner PSA  to create the world's No. 4 carmaker are progressing well and he hopes to have a deal within 12-14 months. Speaking to Reuters on the sidelines of an industry meeting, he said he doesn't expect any major obstacles that could delay a final agreement. "Talks are progressing really well," Manley said about negotiations with the French carmaker ahead of a briefing by the European automotive association (ACEA), of which he is president. His comments come a month after the two carmakers agreed to a binding deal worth about $50 billion to combine forces in response to a slowdown in global demand and mounting costs of making cleaner vehicles amid tighter emissions regulations. Manley's timeline for completing the deal by early 2021 is in line with a forecast made by the companies in December. Fiat and Peugeot are now getting into the details of how the merger will work, including choosing which vehicle platforms — the technological underpinnings of a vehicle — will fit which products in a combined company. Because customers in different locations still prefer vastly different cars, there is room for multiple platforms in a combined group, Manley said. "That global platform is an elusive beast," he added. "This concept of a massive global platform in my mind is almost a myth, but that doesnÂ’t mean to say weÂ’re not going to recruit significant volume." Related Video:    

2019 Fiat 500X refresh revealed for Europe

Jeep revealed the lightly refreshed Renegade subcompact crossover earlier this summer for the European market, so it's only natural that its fraternal twin, the 2019 Fiat 500X, would get a very similar type of makeover. Currently the refresh is only confirmed for Europe, but expect similar changes to arrive in the U.S. Visually, it's only subtly different. The headlights now feature LEDs for both accents and forward illumination, and they're slightly reshaped. The taillights are now rings that have body-color inserts in the middle, similar to those of the regular Fiat 500. The rest of the body is pretty similar to the current one, but a number of character lines have been given sharper creases. The interior is also pretty much the same except for a revamped instrument cluster. The big changes, as with the Renegade, are under the hood. Three gasoline engine options will be available, two of which are turbocharged. The smaller of the turbo engines is a 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine making 120 horsepower and 140 pound-feet of torque. The larger turbo engine is a 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine making 150 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque. Interestingly, there's no 180-horsepower version of the 1.3-liter engine listed, as there is with the Renegade. There's also a naturally aspirated 1.6-liter four-cylinder making 110 horsepower that's a carryover from the old model. Diesel engines will continue to be available on the 500X as well. They're all four-cylinder engines in 1.3-, 1.6-, and 2.0-liter displacements, from 95 horsepower up to 150 horsepower. Four transmissions are available to connect to these engines. They include a five-speed manual, a six-speed manual, a six-speed dual-clutch transmission and a nine-speed automatic. Front- or all-wheel drive is also available. Of the powertrains available for the European market, the turbocharged gas engines are probably the only ones coming to the U.S. Pricing hasn't been listed for any markets, but expect that and U.S.-market specific details to come later this year. Related Video: Featured Gallery 2019 Fiat 500X Euro-spec View 17 Photos Image Credit: Fiat Fiat Crossover SUV fiat 500x

Fiat already planning 500X Abarth performance crossover

Fiat may treat Abarth as a trim level on the 500 in the United States, but overseas it's a bona fide performance brand. The thing is that, since the demise of the Punto Abarth (and with performance versions of the Panda and 500L ruled out), the Scorpion marque has been reduced to tuning only versions of the standard Cinquecento. But that could be about to change.
The latest reports indicate that Fiat is leaning heavily towards an Abarth version of the new 500X crossover: "The 500X is a good body for Abarth," Fiat designer Roberto Giolti said to CarAdvice.com.au. "It's absolutely perfect in terms of drivability, control. The driving seat is perfectly measured to control the car. So the Abarth would be perfect." That may fall short of an out-and-out confirmation, but strikes us as a warm endorsement from a company insider if we've ever seen one.
Revealed less than two weeks ago at the Paris Motor Show, the new 500X will be available with engines ranging from 110 horsepower all the way up to 184 with the 2.4-liter Tigershark four. Given that the 500 Abarth hatchback already offers 160 hp and that the 500X is considerably larger, it would require a bit more punch, along with a tighter suspension, beefed-up brakes and more aggressive styling inside and out.