2014 Fiat 500l Trekking on 2040-cars

Auto blog

2017 Fiat 124 Spider Elaborazione Abarth is lacking its sting

After seeing the 2017 Fiat 124 Spider Elaborazione Abarth at the New York Auto Show, we're starting to understand the convertible is essentially Fiat's take on the 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club trim. Thing is, the Abarth name is synonymous with big performance out of tiny engines, and that's exactly what the latest Fiat 124 Abarth gets in Europe. We want it here, too. Despite the scorpion badge on the fender, this model makes the same 160 horsepower and 184 pound-feet as the standard 124 Spider. By way of comparison, the 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder makes 170 horsepower in Europe. Customers here can choose between a six-speed manual or automatic to route power to the rear wheels through a limited slip differential. The Elaborazione Abarth isn't completely without improvements, though. The droptop gets a stiffer suspension with Bilstein shocks, and a Sport Mode button adds an extra edge when drivers want it. Brembo four-piston calipers are optional, and the US model keeps the European Abarth's retro touches like the black hood. Unfortunately, Abarth's performance legacy holds the Elaborazione Abarth back, rather than helping it. The Mazda MX-5 Miata Club gets most of the same upgrades, including a limited-slip differential, Bilstein shocks, and optional Brembo brakes. However, the Miata's sporty trim is easy to accept because it's just part of the regular lineup; Mazda doesn't attach a brand name with racing history to the sharper model. In contrast, the scorpion badge on this 124 Spider makes the convertible hard to accept as a real Abarth. Related Video:

Junkyard Gem: 1974 Fiat X1/9

There was a time when the Fiat X1/9 was a fairly common sight on California roads, alongside Triumph Spitfires, MGBs, and other cheap European sports cars. The little two-seater got good fuel economy, could find parking spots on crowded city streets, and had Italian good looks. The X1/9 wasn't so robust, though, and most of them were gone by the dawn of the 1990s. This rusty, battered survivor managed to avoid the fate of most of its brethren until age 42, but now its time has come. Judging from the sun-bleached paint and rust inside the air cleaner, though, this car hadn't been a runner for quite a while, perhaps decades. My guess is that it sat in a Northern California back yard for many years, awaiting a restoration that never came. I have put in some time daily-driving an X1/9, back in the middle 1980s, and I recall it being very enjoyable to drive in the city and on twisty mountain roads. It was much less enjoyable on freeway onramps, thanks to the Fiat 128-sourced 1.2-liter four-cylinder engine behind the seats (the X1/9 got a 1.5-liter engine later on). In 1974, this car was rated at 66.5 horsepower. Yes, Fiat claimed the half-horse, just as British Leyland did with the 62.5 hp MGB later in the 1970s. This one is nowhere near worth restoring, though some of its pieces will find new life in nicer X1/9s (or 128s). This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Pretty much the same thing as a Lamborghini Countach!

Dodge recalling 2k SRT Hellcat Challengers and Chargers for fuel leak

Bad news for fans of the obscene output of the Dodge Hellcat twins, as FCA has announced a voluntary recall of both 707-horsepower variants of the 2015-model-year Charger sedan and Challenger coupe. According to FCA, a total of 2,211 cars are being recalled after a dealer discovered a "possible fuel leak" during a pre-delivery inspection. Despite getting cleared by suppliers, FCA claims its engineers found "improperly installed" hose seals. Owners of affected vehicles will receive notification and be asked to report in for repairs. Of the vehicles affected, the overwhelming majority, 2,012, were sold in the US market. The remainder were sold in Canada (148), Mexico (30) and just 21 outside of North America. Scroll down for the official release from FCA. Related Video: Statement: Hose Seals March 1, 2015 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - FCA US LLC is voluntarily recalling an estimated 2,211 cars globally to replace fuel-delivery components that may leak. An FCA US dealer alerted the Company to a possible fuel leak following a pre-delivery vehicle inspection. These components had passed the supplier's leak-testing, but FCA US engineers launched an investigation and discovered certain hose seals may have been improperly installed. The Company is unaware of any related injuries, accidents or customer complaints. Affected are model-year 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT coupes and Dodge Charger SRT sedans equipped with 6.2-liter V-8 engines. There are an estimated 2,012 in the U.S.; 148 in Canada; 30 in Mexico and 21 outside the NAFTA region. Affected customers will be notified and advised when they may schedule service. Customers with questions or concerns may call the FCA US Customer Information Center at 1-800-853-1403.