Designer Reimagines Fiat 127 for the 21st Century as the 500's Big Brother

The Fiat 127 was a replacement for the pretty 850, and it was built between 1971 and 1983, when it was replaced by the Uno. It followed a simple design strategy of clean shapes and lines with good proportions. This is why if you see one on the street today, particularly in a nice color, you will notice it.

Now the 127 has been reimagined for the 21st century as a big brother to the successful 500, and could theoretically be built, as it has been designed to not only look as close as possible to the original model, but to also be built on the same platform that underpins the Fiat Punto and Alfa Romeo MiTo. It is the work of David Obendorfer, who also gave us this modern Renault 4.

Read more »

Fiat 500 Abarth Tenebra and 500 Cativa Concepts on Display in Detroit [Live Photos]

It may not be a standalone brand yet, as reports have suggested, but the 500 family is nevertheless expanding rapidly with five-door minivan and crossover offsoots.

That’s not to say that Chrysler’s Italian partner has left the standard, three-door 500 alone: after introducing the 160HP 500C Abarth and the all-electric 500e at LA last November, today it unveiled two design concepts at the 2013 North American International Auto Show.

Read more »

Fiat 500 Beach Cruiser Concept Unveiled Ahead of SEMA Show Debut

About a month ago, the Chrysler Group announced plans to display more than 20 Mopar-prepped Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram, Fiat and SRT brand concept vehicles and project cars at the 2012 SEMA aftermarket show, which takes place from October 30 through November 2 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Today, we get our first glimpse of one of those models and in particular, the Fiat 500 Beach Cruiser that was revealed during a special event at Mopar’s Accessory and Performance Lab in Michigan.

Read more »

Fiat 500 Bellavista Design Concepts for Stylish Speedster and Roadster Variants

The Fiat 500 is beloved subject for many professional and amateur designers to express their creativity and skills. The 500 concept studies bundled under the Bellavista moniker that you see pictured here are the work of the students from the Polytechnic of Milan and Madeindreams.

The students developed two similar prototypes based on the Abarth 500. The first is a two-seater roadster model with a regular windshield, beefed up wheel arches, a double canopy behind the headrests and re-styled front and rear bumpers.

Read more »

Lazzarini Design Looking for Someone to Invest $550,000 to Build a Ferrari-Powered Fiat 550 Italia

Apparently, Nissan's much-hyped decision to create the ultimate small crossover by blending the body of the Juke with the mechanical hardware of the GT-R has found an imitator of sorts in the guise of Lazzarini Design Studio.

The unknown Italian company would like to find an investor and car enthusiast willing to spend around $550,000 (~€440,000) to fund the development of a unique Fiat 500, one that is powered by the…Ferrari 458 Italia's running gear.

The proposed car is named Fiat 550 Italia, not only as a nod to its price, but also to the number of ponies produced by a slightly de-tuned version of the Ferrari's 4.5-liter V8, and we quote Lazzarini Design:

"The engine it was slightly detuned from 570HP to 550HP, this cause in the simulator the exeed of torque could badly balance the car during fast shifting operations."

Read more »