Fiat 500 Prima Edizione #471 on 2040-cars

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New 2019 Fiat 500X bows with standard AWD, 1.3-liter turbo four

Fiat is unveiling the U.S. version of the new 2019 500X all-wheel-drive subcompact crossover this week in Los Angeles, and it deviates slightly from the European refresh version we previewed in August and its U.S. predecessor, with a new engine and standard all-wheel drive. Instead of the three gasoline engines on offer across the pond or the two stateside, U.S. consumers will get a standard 1.3-liter, direct-injection turbocharged engine that produces 177 horsepower and a best-in-class 210 pound-feet of torque. Those are higher output figures than either the comparable European 1.3-liter or the 1.4-liter, and they compare with the 180 hp and 175 lb-ft offered by the outgoing 2.4-liter Tigershark engine. The new four-cylinder is fitted with stop-start technology and the third generation of FCA's MultiAir valve-actuation technology, which controls intake-valve timing and opening to recycle exhaust gas to offer improved power and fuel efficiency. Also reflecting American trends — and don't let the gear shifter knob fool you — there's no manual transmission on offer, with power instead mated to a nine-speed fully electronic automatic transmission. Three driving modes are on offer: a baseline Auto, performance-oriented Sport, and Traction +, which maximizes low-speed traction. Looks-wise, the basics are the same, with sharper creases, new LED head- and taillights, and redesigned front and rear fascias. The U.S. version continues the plastic body cladding defining the grille surround, a shape echoed at the rear. There are three wheel options — 17-inch silver aluminum for the Trekking model, 17-inch matte black machined wheels for the Treeking Plus, and 18-inch matte anthracite machined aluminum for Trekking and Trekking Plus (Pop is the entry-level trim). There are also three new exterior colors: Italia blue, green and ivory. Fiat designers refreshed the cockpit with new seat fabrics, a new instrument cluster and a new steering wheel with mounted radio controls. It comes with standard Connect 4 with a 7-inch touchscreen radio with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and Bluetooth features. Safety features include blind-spot monitoring, rear cross path detection and a rear backup camera with dynamic grid lines. Adaptive cruise control is offered as an option. The 500X will start at $25,785 including destination when it goes on sale next spring. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences.

Honda poised for growth, Detroit to hold steady, Car Wars study says

The automotive industry is expected to keep booming in the US over the next several years, but the train might start running out of steam in the long term, according to 2015's Car Wars report from Bank of America Merrill Lynch analyst John Murphy. The forecast focuses on changes between the 2016 and 2019 model years, and the latest trends appear similar in some cases to the past predictions. Sales are expected to keep growing and reach a peak of 20 million in 2018, according to the Detroit Free Press. The expansion is projected to come from a quick pace of vehicle launches, with an average of 48 introductions a year – 26 percent more than in 1996. Crossovers are expected to make up a third of these, maintaining their strong popularity. However, Murphy predicts a decline, as well. By 2025, total sales could fall to around 15 million units. As of May 2015, the seasonally adjusted annual rate for this year stands at 17.71 million. Like last year, Honda is predicted to be a big winner in the future thanks to products like the next-gen Civic. "Honda should be the biggest market share gainer," Murphy said when presenting the report, according to Free Press. Meanwhile, in a situation similar to Car Wars from 2012, a lack of many new vehicles is expected to cause a drop for Hyundai, Kia, and Nissan. Based on this forecast, Ford, General Motors, and FCA US will all generally maintain market share for the coming years. The report does make some future product predictions, though. The next Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra might come in 2019, which is earlier than expected. Also, Lincoln could get a Mustang-based coupe for 2017, a compact sedan for 2018 and an Explorer-based model in 2019, according to the Free Press. Related Video: News Source: The Detroit Free PressImage Credit: Nam Y. Huh / AP Photo Earnings/Financials Chrysler Fiat Ford GM Honda Lincoln Car Buying fca us

Fiat gives 2019 124 Spider the Urbana Edition treatment

Fiat is celebrating the arrival of spring and drop-top cruising season by offering the blacked-out Urbana Edition treatment on the 124 Spider for the 2019 model year. The move follows the Urbana Edition rebranding — it was formerly called Urbana Trekking — first shown earlier this year on the 500L. The package offers dark interior and exterior accents to the convertible roadster. It comes with Black Diamond 17-inch aluminum wheels fitted with performance tires, dual exhaust tips, black exterior accents and gloss-black finishes on the A-pillar bar bezel, seat-back pillar and side mirror caps. You also get front fog lamps. Inside, the package gets you matte gray accents, plus leather and microfiber on the seats and wrapping the instrument panel and instrument cluster hood. Fiat is offering the Urbana Edition package only on the Classica model of the 124 Spider for an extra $995, which brings the total cost to $27,680 including destination. It'll be on display next week at the New York International Auto Show. Fiat refreshed the 124 Spider for 2019 by adding features including a rear backup camera, a standard seven-inch Fiat Connect 7.0 touchscreen and offering custom center-stripe design options on the entry-level Classica. The 124 Spider is heavily based on the Mazda Miata and built in the same plant in Japan, but it uses its own 1.4-liter turbocharged inline-four engine. You can read Autoblog's drivers' notes on the roadster from 2017.