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

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Fiat showed off the 500 Electric in New York, should sell it here too

The New York Auto Show was pretty predictable for the most part; lots of model refreshes, trim lines and new engines. The stuff you would expect from a lot of auto shows. But there was one truly bizarre, inexplicable appearance: the Fiat 500 Electric. For reasons unknown to us, or even to a Stellantis PR representative, the Fiat booth was not adorned with just one lonely 500X — which is currently the brand's entire U.S. lineup — but there was also a pomodoro (tomato) red 500 Electric convertible and a pale pink metallic 500 Electric hatchback. Two cars that Stellantis has, since the model's introduction a couple of years ago, said will not be coming to the United States. They weren't roped off or on any fancy display. They just sat on the carpet like any other regular Stellantis product. And of course, we had to check them out. And ... they're pretty great! We think Fiat should sell the 500 Electrics here. Here's why: First off, they're wonderful designs. They're still just as cute and retro as the 500's gas-powered (and electric) predecessor, but with far more attention to detail. The headlights intersect with the hood, and the turn signals pop out from the belt line. Nifty recessed door handles sit below that line. Little tabs with the model name bump down from the window trim. The retro, grille-less fascia is natural and practical, and the whole car has subtly athletic curves. Plus, you can get it as a convertible, something the competition doesn't offer. The excellent detailing continues inside. The materials are certainly cheap (and admittedly, the doors sound a little flimsy on closing), but it pulls the same tricks that the Ford Maverick does. It has fun with the colors, materials and shapes to make it pleasant. It has a soft, curvy dash panel that can be covered in cool fabric or painted to match the body. The seats are available with the "FIAT" wordmark stitched all through the upholstery. And it has convenient controls to go with the bright and responsive touchscreen. Furthermore, that rear half-door on the hatchback is great for rear seat access. The rear seat is still tight, but you can get three adults into the car in a pinch (mind your heads and knees). Basically, it's an extremely stylish and chic machine, something that the electric car market could use more in the low-end segment. And it likely would sell at the low end.

Abarth 600e electric crossover previewed with 240 horsepower

The second electric member of the Abarth family is nearly ready to make its debut. Based on the Fiat 600e crossover unveiled in 2023 for the European market, it features a muscular-looking exterior design and the most powerful drivetrain the brand has ever put in a car. Finished in Hypnotic Purple, the Abarth 600e sits much lower than the Fiat-branded model. The picture released by the firm shows the Scorpionissima trim, which will be limited to 1,949 units and only offered at launch, so keep in mind that the standard car might look a little different. With that said, it gets a deeper front bumper, 20-inch wheels designed to clear bigger brakes, and a massive roof-mounted spoiler. Abarth hasn't released full technical specifications. All we know at this stage is that the 600e Scorpionissima Edition will ship with a 240-horsepower drivetrain. That figure makes it the most powerful regular-production model in the brand's history, but it doesn't tell the full story. The 600e stretches 164 inches long, so it's likely the biggest car in Abarth's history, and there's a chance it will be the heaviest as well. That's not to say it won't be fun to drive. Abarth wrapped the big wheels with sticky tires and, significantly, fitted a mechanical limited-slip differential. We'll need to be patient to find out what the 600e looks like inside; Abarth has only clarified that the model will be "loaded." More details about the Abarth 600e Scorpionissima Edition will emerge in the coming months, though nothing suggests we'll see the model in the United States. And, while the standard 600e has a gasoline-burning counterpart, it doesn't sound like the Abarth will get one. Related video:

FCA-Renault merger faces tall odds delivering on cost-cutting promises

FRANKFURT/DETROIT — Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and Renault promise huge savings from a mega-merger, but such combinations face tall odds because of the industry's long product cycles and problems translating deal blueprints into real world success, industry veterans told Reuters. BMW's 1994 purchase of Rover, and Daimler's 1998 merger with Chrysler both made sense on paper. The companies promised to hike profits by combining vehicle platforms and engine families. Both combinations proved unworkable in reality, and were unwound. Renault and Nissan, which have been in an alliance since 1999 designed to share vehicle components, have only managed to use common vehicle platforms in 35% of Nissan's products despite an original target of 70%, according to Morgan Stanley. FCA and Renault have raised the stakes for themselves by ruling out plant closures. That increases the pressure to achieve more than $5 billion in promised annual savings from pooling procurement and research investments. The two companies have yet to fill in many of the blanks in the merger plan put forward by Fiat Chrysler. Renault's board is expected to act soon to accept the proposal, but that would lead only to a memorandum of understanding to pursue detailed operational and financial plans. A final deal and the legal combination of the two companies could take months to complete if all goes well. Pressure to cut automotive pollution is driving the latest round of consolidation. Automakers are looking at multibillion-dollar bills to develop electric and hybrid cars and cleaner internal combustion engines. Fiat Chrysler and Renault are betting they can design common electric vehicle systems, then sell more of them through their respective brands and dealer networks, cutting the cost per car. Developing all-new electric vehicles can bring more opportunities to share costs from the outset, industry experts said. "With the emergence of connected, autonomous, electric and shared vehicles, carmakers face immediate investments, so new opportunities for sharing costs have emerged," said Elmar Kades, managing director at Alix Partners. However, most electric vehicles lose money. This is a challenge for city car brands in Europe in particular. Both Renault and Fiat rely heavily on this segment for sales.