Fiat » Australian Car Advice

Fiat 500 and Citroen C4 Picasso collect diesel awards

April 16th, 2008 8 Comments

At this year’s “What Diesel Car? Magazine” awards held in the UK, the Fiat 500 has won the category of Best Small Diesel Car.

The success and demand of the new Bambino has meant that Fiat Australia has chosen to add a new model to the local lineup - the 1.3 JTD Lounge.

2008 FIAT 500 Review

April 8th, 2008 54 Comments

2008 FIAT 500 Review & Road Test

“It gets more looks than a Ferrari F430 and costs but a fraction of the price. The Fiat 500, may just be the coolest car on the planet right now”

Model driven: Sport Hatchback 3dr Manual six-speed 1.4 Litre petrol

Recommended Retail Price: $26,990

CarAdvice Rating:

When we saw the Fiat 500s going around Albert park prior to this year’s Australian Formula 1 grand prix, there was a sense of excitement from everyone, not only was Fiat back for good, but now it had a fighting chance.

The current Fiat 500 range starts at $22,990 for the 1.2-litre 5-speed manual pop hatchback and goes all the way to $29,990 for the 1.4-litre lounge hatchback. But now there is a new variant, the Fiat 500 1.3 JTD Lounge.

There are now six models to pick from:

Pop Hatchback 3dr Man 5sp/SMac 5sp 1.2i
Pop Hatchback 3dr Man 6sp/SMac 5sp 1.4i
Pop JTD Hatchback 3dr Man 5sp 1.3DT
Sport Hatchback 3dr Man 6sp/SMac 5sp 1.4i
Lounge Hatchback 3dr Man 6sp/SMac 5sp 1.4i
Lounge Hatchback 3dr Man 5sp 1.3 JTD 1.3DT

The 1.3-litre JTD Lounge comes in response to the changing attitude of the Australian market. Many more new-car-buyers are now aware of the benefits of diesel motors and given the rising price of petrol, it makes perfect sense.

The small oil burner only uses 4.2-litres of diesel per 100 km and comes equipped with the best that Fiat has to offer in the 500 range.

“Australian customers increasingly want the economy and environmental ability of diesel matched to a chic, luxurious car and cars don’t come much more stylish and chic than the 500 or, with the top of the line Lounge equipment package, luxurious.” says Edward Butler, General Manager for Fiat cars in Australia.

The 1.3-litre turbodiesel JTD lounge has a top speed of 165 km/h and goes from 0-100 km/h in 12.5 seconds. It puts out only 111 g/km of CO2 emissions (only 5g/km more than the Toyota Prius!). The engine develops 55 kW at 4000 rpm and a respectable 145 Nm of torque at 1500 rpm.

The 1.3-litre unit only weighs 130 kg and measures 50 cm long by 65 cm tall. According to Fiat, it will be able to travel around 250,000 km without needing any maintenance to the mechanical components.

The 500 has has taken the Volkswagen Beetle’s place as the cool stylish city car with character. But its popularity has caused some problems with the waiting list now extending out for the next four months.

“We are working with Fiat to get an extra allocation of cars for Australia for 2008, but even with the boost in Australian supplies for which we have asked, there’s little doubt that demand will continue to run well ahead of supply.” explains Mr Butler.

The entry into the 500 world comes in the Pop package which despite its name, is packed with a load of features such as air conditioning, trip computer, electric front windows, remote central locking, ABS brakes and six airbags. It receives a five-star safety rating from EuroNCAP.

Moving up to the Lounge grade, a climate control unit and a fixed glass roof with a sun blind join the party as does the chrome exterior trim pack, alloy wheels, front fog lights, Bluetooth communications package with steering wheel mounted controls, leather steering wheel and gearknob.

Safety is further strengthened by electronic stability control (ESC) with traction control and brake-assist (hill holder).

The new Fiat 500 JTD Lounge retails for $28,990 and is available to order now. If you’re after the new ‘cool’ city car, better get into your nearest Fiat dealer because the waiting list is only getting bigger.

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BMW to sell engines to GM, Daimler and Fiat?

April 3rd, 2008 18 Comments

BMW can extract 309kW (at 8,300rpm) and 400Nm of torque from a 4.0-litre V8, so there is no doubt in anyone’s mind that when it comes to building engines, BMW is up there amongst the best.

But what good is all that R&D if you can’t maximise profits? The German powerhouse has been toying with the idea of selling engines to other manufacturers for some time now but the company has indicated today that it will decide whether to sell by the end of the year.

Fiat stand 2008 Geneva Motor Show

March 5th, 2008 1 Comment

Fiat stand 2008 Geneva Motor Show

Fiat shows of its… aw.. cars at the Geneva Motor Show

Fiat 500 Abarth 2008 Geneva Motor Show

March 5th, 2008 4 Comments

Fiat 500 Abarth 2008 Geneva Motor Show

Melbourne Motor Show: FIAT stand

February 29th, 2008 9 Comments

FIAT’s baby 500 (Cinquecento) and Corolla-sized Ritmo have made their stunning entrance in to the hearts and minds of the Australian motoring public with a typically classy and clean cut Italian display at this year’s Melbourne International Motor Show.

Show casing one of each 500 model, several Puntos and the two of the all-new Ritmos, the FIAT stand is worth a visit… especially for red blooded males (hint hint).

Fiat 500 Abarth Geneva preview

February 19th, 2008 23 Comments

Following leaked official images finding their way onto the web, Italian car maker Fiat has officially revealed its new Fiat 500 Abarth hot hatch.

Set to make its first public appearance at the Geneva Motor Show next month, the Abarth represents a high-performance edition of the outrageously popular Fiat 500.

Sydney cops a Fiat police car

February 6th, 2008 33 Comments

First there was the Lotus, then a TRD Aurion, followed by a Hummer (bottom) and now a Fiat. Sydney’s Leichhardt Police has a new Punto to add to its fleet.

The Leichhardt branch say that by using this car as transport, it frees up normal police cars to carry out their duties.

2008 Fiat Ritmo

February 1st, 2008 7 Comments

Fiat has today announced the introduction of its new Ritmo five door hatch.

Initially Fiat will offer four versions of the Ritmo in Australia, with additional models to arrive in 2008, including self-shifting gearbox versions. The two trim and equipment levels, Emotion and Sport, are offered with a choice of the 1.4 litre 110 kW T-Jet petrol engine and the 1.9 litre 110 kW JTD Turbo Diesel.

Fiat Ritmo at Melbourne Motor Show

January 24th, 2008 21 Comments

With the Fiat 500 sold out in Australia for the next four months, eager buyers may be swayed to investigate other cars in the Fiat fleet - like the Ritmo.