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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.

Fiat 500 Gucci Edition returns, priced from $23,750*

Are you sad you missed out on the limited-edition Fiat 500 by Gucci the first time around? Well, fear not. You, too, can once again channel your inner Jennifer Lopez and pick up one of the co-branded little hatches starting this spring - but just like last time, Fiat will only be offering the Gucci 500s for a limited time.
Fiat will offer Gucci versions of both the hardtop 500 and cloth-top 500C, priced from $23,750 and $27,750, respectively, not including *$800 for destination. That's a pretty big price jump over the $18,500 500 Lounge hardtop - you could get the higher-output Turbo or Abarth models for the same or even less cash - but seeing as how Fiat had no trouble moving any of the Gucci-branded 500s last time they came to town, we're sure these will still fly off dealer lots.
And it's not like you don't get some fancy content for that coin. There's a new interior environment that either can be done up in all black, or a black/white contrast, to match the exterior color choices of, well, black or white. There are high-quality leathers used throughout the cabin, as well as satin chrome accents. Outside, the signature Gucci green/red/green stripe runs along the beltline on hardtop models, and along the cloth top on the 500C. Gucci badging is found on the door frames, accented with chrome mirrors and door handles. And of course, there are unique 15-inch aluminum wheels with the interlocking "GG" design on the center caps.

Italy reportedly guarantees $7.1 billion loan to Fiat Chrysler

ROME — Italy has approved a decree offering state guarantees for a 6.3-billion euro ($7.1 billion) loan to Fiat Chrysler's (FCA)  Italian unit, a source said, paving the way for the largest crisis loan to a European carmaker. The source said Italy's audit court had signed off on the decree, in a final step of what had been a lengthy and contested process to get the loan approved. The court's approval follows an earlier endorsement by the economy ministry. "The audit court authorized the decree," said a source close to the matter, asking not to be named because of its sensitivity. FCA's Italian division has tapped Rome's COVID-19 emergency financing schemes to secure a state-backed, three-year facility to help the group's operations in the country, as well as Italy's car sector in which about 10,000 businesses operate, weather the crisis triggered by the coronavirus emergency. The loan will be disbursed by Italy's biggest retail bank Intesa Sanpaolo, which has already authorized it pending the approval of guarantees the government will provide on 80% of the sum through export credit agency SACE. The request for state support has sparked controversy because FCA is working to merge with French rival PSA and the holding for the Italian-American carmaker is registered in the Netherlands. FCA's global brands include Fiat, Jeep, Dodge and Maserati. It was not immediately clear what conditions, if any, Italy has set as part of the guarantees and whether they would affect FCA's planned 5.5 billion euro ($6.2 billion) extraordinary dividend, which is a key element in the merger with PSA. FCA, whose shares were down 0.5% by 0908 GMT, had no immediate comment.   Earnings/Financials Chrysler Fiat Peugeot Italy