Tiny Fiat 500 earns an unimpressive 30/38 MPG & 27/34 with automatic

[SailDesign]

Originally Posted by frownonfun

wow that interior is hideous. what's going on with the heat and A/C controls? and are those giant power window buttons right next to the shifter? and keith urban?

I quite like the interior.

But, Yeah, Keith Urban?

[Thirty-Nine]

Originally Posted by SailDesign

I quite like the interior.

But, Yeah, Keith Urban?

I sat in the 500 at the Portland International Auto Show. I quite liked it.

[Cosmonaut]

For some reason i like the concentric speedo/tach.

[andruboz]

There could be a bit of similarity between Italian cars and Italian bikes. When comparing Italian motorcycles to Japanese motorcycles- the Japanese ones can be lighter faster, more reliable, win more races and cost less. But Italian bikes stir the soul. The welds look pretty, the bolted on pieces look like quality craftsmanship, the exhaust note has cool sound even before you put the fancy carbon fiber pipe on it.

I can't poo-poo the little Italian car until i sit in one and see if it has the magical soul stirrer in it. I'll bet the Abarth version's got one.

[SAV912]

This is my next car. Bar wrecking my Yaris, I will keep it until the 500 Abarth EsseEsse comes out and then my Yaris is going straight to the dealer to trade up. Don't give two fucks about the mileage penalty or what the EPA says it'll do, the power will be nice, the style is unquestionably awesome, and I will own an Italian car before I die.

BTW, check the real world ratings on those bigger cars. Owners are having to try a lot harder to hit that 40 MPG with the Elantra. Note the larger disparity between city and highway MPG on the EPA scale and how that gap is narrower with smaller cars like the 500 and Yaris. There's a reason for it. You can gear anything down and hit better numbers on the interstate which is exactly what automakers are doing. However, most users are gonna hit closer to that city rating than the highway one.

-C

[Midnight Drifter]

When's the turbodiesel version coming?

[ANGIEJB]

I've been waiting for this to come to the US.. every since I saw it on TopGear a couple years ago

I thought I'd have to go overseas to get the Abarth, I'm glad I don't have to..

I'll be selling my Yaris to get the Fiat 500 :)

[DevilGirl]

Originally Posted by SailDesign

The ten most economical cars in the UK, and all except the hybrid are - wait for it - diesel powered.
And yet they STILL refuse to sell small diesels in the US. <sigh>

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/...e.html?image=9

I agree with you. Would be nice if they did sell some smaller diesel vehicles here. Sure diesel is higher per gallon, but I've seen what it can do and it definitely has great potential.

Originally Posted by cali yaris

Because we don't want them. That includes me.

I want one. And I know a lot of other people that would too.

Originally Posted by Midnight Drifter

When's the turbodiesel version coming?

Probably never if the US govt has anything to say about it...


As for the Sport 500, I test drove one on Saturday. It had less get up and go compared to my Yarii. I was slightly impressed with the interior styling, but it lacked the cargo area the Yarii has.
When the turbo Arbath version becomes available here, I'll take that for a test drive as well and see if it really is any better...

The only advantages I saw over the Yarii is that it is similar to the Mini, but with a lot less of a price tag, can come in AWD, stock options like bluetooth and sat radio included in base price, and the possibility of a turbo.


Otherwise, I'd stick with my Yarii.