Fiat is making a big comeback to the North American market with their smallest car! There are a couple of facts about the Fiat 500 American version: it will be produced in Mexico, comes with only one engine (101 HP 1.4 MultiAir), three trim levels (Pop, Sport and Lounge), 14 exterior colors, and 14 colour combinations for the interior, and it has a starting price of $15,500. The car will also go on sale in Canada through Ferrari dealerships.

Fiat also offers a standard total warranty of four years/50,000 miles and four years of unlimited roadside assistance in addition to a three-year/36,000-mile maintenance plan with parts subject to wear and vehicle downtime reimbursed. Also for the American market, there’s a brand-new six-speed automatic transmission. Obviously, Americans cannot be bothered to change gears!

Expertly adapted for the roads of North America, the Fiat 500 boasts contemporary design, excellent finishes, ideal proportions for moving about town and timeless value. Specifically, some of the major adaptations for the USA are:

• body structure redesigned to increase resistance;
• suspensions made to measure and exclusive for the U.S.A. market to simultaneously maintain the Fiat 500’s agility and ensure that its passenger compartment is comfortable and quiet during long journeys on the motorway;
• more than 20 specific modifications/additions to the body components to reduce noise, vibrations and harshness (NVH);
• new anti-lock braking system (ABS) on the four wheels with front calipers redesigned for optimum performance during braking;
• fuel tank increased to 10.5 gallons to increase range;
• heating and cooling system perfected for the extreme North American climates;
• seats for the driver and front passenger redesigned with a new armrest and new cushions to improve comfort over long distances;
• new front seats fitted with the “Easy Entry” system;
• new steering wheel controls and steering effort calibration optimised to increase stability at highway speeds (as to the side winds);
• new BOSE^® Energy Efficient Series audio system with six speakers and subwoofer of excellent quality.

The Fiat 500 is available in three versions in the United States: Pop, Sport and Lounge.

In detail, the Pop version designed for those seeking Italian style, efficiency and customisation offers: manual gearbox, 15″ wheels, hub caps with chrome details and all-season tyres, seven standard air bags, air conditioning, AM/FM radio and CD/MP3 player with auxiliary audio input, electric windows, central locking, heated door mirrors, cruise control and reconfigurable EVIC (Electronic Vehicle Information Center) with trip computer, reserve and average fuel savings indication and tyre pressure monitoring (TPM).

For enthusiasts looking for Italian style with sporty suspensions and a richer package of accessories, the new Fiat 500 Sport offers modified springs, set-up of the shock absorbers, steering calibration and set-up of the exhausts to ensure greater driving stability and more reactive handling. The Sport model also includes a manual gearbox and in addition to the equipment of the Pop version, front and rear stripes stating a strong personality with oversized honeycomb grilles and accentuated aerodynamic features.

In addition to the 16-inch alloy wheels with pockets painted Mineral Gray and all season tyres, the Fiat 500 Sport incorporates bodyside sill cladding and a new liftgate-mounted roof spoiler for a sporty appearance. Completing this version’s design are the brake calipers painted Performance Red attached to a sport-tuned suspension, chromed exhaust tip and fog lamps. Inside, the new 500 Sport features sport-styled seating combined with a grey/black interior environment, a BOSE^® Energy Efficient Series audio system with six speakers and subwoofer, leather steering wheel with audio controls, Blue&Me hands-free communication technology with USB port and iPod functionality.

Tailored for individuals who want their Fiat 500 to reflect their fashion-oriented lifestyles, the Lounge version offers premium amenities (in addition to the Fiat 500 Pop features) including the all-new six-speed automatic transmission with driver-selectable gear changes, front- and rear-fascia chromed accents, chrome mirror caps, fog lamps, fixed glass roof, 15-inch alloy wheels with all-season tyres, premium cloth seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, SIRIUS Satellite radio, BOSE^® Energy Efficient Series audio system with six high-performance speakers and subwoofer, security alarm, Blue&Me hands-free communication technology with USB port and iPod functionality.