More from the Fiat Concept Lab Of Doom

JRS · 20 Jun 2006 at 22:03

Not sure how realistic this is, but am going to post it anyway. Fiat came up with a 500-esque retro style concept car a while back called the Trepiuno, and plan to release a new 500 based on it in 2007. It'll be sharing the platform with the next Ford Ka which should be along in 2008. And of course, this being Fiat and with the car being a re-incarnation of the 500, Fiat fans be hoping for an Abarth version. Something like this:

Image is from the Auto Express website. And all I can say about it really is this: Want one. Want one of those. Want one badly.

some guy called Giancarlo Perini said:
Featuring a wider track than the standard 500, lowered and stiffened suspension plus aerodynamic tweaks such as a tailgate spoiler, the new Abarth will be sporty to drive. Uprated brakes and an interior with sports seats will also be offered. Under the bonnet, a new 1.4-litre turbo developed especially for the 500 is anticipated. Producing in excess of 150bhp, it should give the lightweight machine punchy acceleration - an eight-second 0-60mph time and 130mph top speed are likely. The Abarth will be revealed with the new 500 at next March's Geneva Motor Show. A development of the Trepiuno concept, seen at Geneva two years ago, the standard car is based on the same platform as the Panda, which will also underpin Ford's next Ka.

Yet while the Trepiuno was a strict three-seater, the 500 will be larger and feature a conventional four-seat layout. Prices should start at around £8,000.

I personally can't see them putting an engine with more than 100 ponies in it, but a 150bhp Abarth 500 sounds like such a laugh that I'm praying it'll come to fruition!

olv · 20 Jun 2006 at 22:05

loved the concept and i love that

Scrutinize · 20 Jun 2006 at 22:05

JRS said:
Image is from the Auto Express website. And all I can say about it really is this: Want one. Want one of those. Want one badly.

Er why?? Pleanty of other good cars to have or want, it looks ok at first glance but imo its prety ugly.

JRS · 20 Jun 2006 at 22:08

mrk1@1 said:
Er why?? Pleanty of other good cars to have or want, it looks ok at first glance but imo its prety ugly.

Why?

Several reasons:

1) I like Fiats.
2) I love the original 500.
3) I especially love the Abarth tuned original 500s.
4) Seeing as the new 500 is going to be based on the platform of the current Panda, a car that I've driven and love, I'm pretty much certain to like how this car drives.

Scrutinize · 20 Jun 2006 at 22:08

JRS said:
Why?

Several reasons:

1) I like Fiats.
2) I love the original 500.
3) I especially love the Abarth tuned original 500s.
4) Seeing as the new 500 is going to be based on the platform of the current Panda, a car that I've driven and love, I'm pretty much certain to like how this car drives.

I blame your postcode

JRS · 20 Jun 2006 at 22:09

Which one? CV1 or DE13?

K.C. Leblanc · 20 Jun 2006 at 22:20

JRS said:
I personally can't see them putting an engine with more than 100 ponies in it, but a 150bhp Abarth 500 sounds like such a laugh that I'm praying it'll come to fruition!

This is the same company who made the Alfa 147 GTA, anything is possible*.

Personaly I think it looks great, I'll probably change my mind when all the women I know go on about how cute the standard version looks.

* Except it being reliable.

Maz · 20 Jun 2006 at 22:24

I'll report more when I find out more

It will be launched in 2007, Based on Panda (169) Hopefully they'll do the 1.3 Multijet 90bhp or higher in this.

That picture mings check out the official site/

Vix · 20 Jun 2006 at 22:25

K.C. Leblanc said:
Personaly I think it looks great, I'll probably change my mind when all the women I know go on about how cute the standard version looks.

I think its cute...

Sone · 20 Jun 2006 at 22:26

K.C. Leblanc said:
* Except it being reliable.

lol

Trifid · 20 Jun 2006 at 22:33

olv said:
loved the concept and i love that

Not any more to add. SHould be like a Mini to drive.

JRS · 20 Jun 2006 at 22:37

Maz said:
I'll report more when I find out more

It will be launched in 2007, Based on Panda (169) Hopefully they'll do the 1.3 Multijet 90bhp or higher in this.

Well, the 1.3MJ should go in there seeing as the Panda has it. Guess it may not get the 90bhp one though, if they use the Panda gearbox then it will be the 75bhp level of tune won't it?

I know my father is talking about getting a 500 for mum when they're released, hopefully they'll arrive in numbers unlike the MultiJet Pandas which some dealers still can't get in the quantities that they could sell.

***edit***

One that I built a while back on the official Fiat Nuova 500 site:

Maz · 20 Jun 2006 at 23:16

JRS said:
Well, the 1.3MJ should go in there seeing as the Panda has it. Guess it may not get the 90bhp one though, if they use the Panda gearbox then it will be the 75bhp level of tune won't it?

I know my father is talking about getting a 500 for mum when they're released, hopefully they'll arrive in numbers unlike the MultiJet Pandas which some dealers still can't get in the quantities that they could sell.

***edit***

One that I built a while back on the official Fiat Nuova 500 site:

No the current Multijet in Panda is 70bhp.

The rally version has over 120bhp :cool:

Fiat have implemted this engine into other cars in the range, Grande Punto is 5 spd 75bhp and 6 spd 90bhp, Idea as 75 and 90bhp both 5 speed and also Doblo as 90bhp 5 spd.

So a 90bhp 500 would probably be the top model I'd imagine.

Mad old tory · 20 Jun 2006 at 23:26

Saw the original concept at the motorshow a couple years back and loved it. A small car I would truly own, just hope they can give it the same cheeky character the original had.

PeterNem · 20 Jun 2006 at 23:54

It looks like a fart would if a fart had looks.

JRS · 21 Jun 2006 at 00:24

PeterNem said:
It looks like a fart would if a fart had looks.

Some people have no soul

Much as I love this new version, I'd really love an Abarth or Giannini version of the original 500.

Abarth example: