Chrysler Will Display Electric Fiat 500 In Detroit
source: http://gas2.org/2009/12/31/chrysler-will-display-electric-fiat-500-in-detroit/
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- spacemikey [removed]
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One such car sure to make a big impression (in a small way) is the universally hailed Fiat 500 subcompact. Supposedly, Fiat will have an electric version of the 500 on display in Detroit this month.
This is about all Chrysler/Fiat will have to show off at Detroit, and are even foregoing holding a press conference. I guess an electric 500 will have to speak for itself. Car reviewers across the Atlantic have hailed the 500 as an excellent, compact commuter car. The 500 will be the only Fiat on sale in North America when it reaches our shores in 2011. Fiat plans to bring four versions of the 500 to America, including a coupe, convertible, wagon, and the Abarth sport hatchback.
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- groups:
- Community, Green, Green Transportation
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- tags:
- Chrysler, fiat, Hybrid Car
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slarabee [removed]
- This comment was removed as a violation of community guidelines.
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slarabee [removed]
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Gravity_Man
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slarabee:
Slarabee, how long has it been since you asked your kids how they feel about car carriers?
- 2 years ago
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Gravity_Man
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cztheday
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I wonder if this will be the kind of electric car that will make the technology available to the mass of Americans for whom cars like the Prius are simply out of reach from a price standpoint, even where "green incentives" are available. Of course, the auto companies seem to tend to keep initial numbers low for such cars to insure that they aren't left holding unsold stock. So even if it proves popular, it might not be available in large numbers for a couple of years as Chrysler tools up to produce them.
I hope size is the only comparison to the SmartCar, however. While, the latter may or may not be environmentally preferable to larger cars, it was/is a quality disaster. In terms of comfort and safety, the little red wagon I pulled around in kindergarten was vastly superior...
- 2 years ago
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cztheday
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Gravity_Man
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cztheday:
CZ you're correct. This year is calling for a disaster when the recession gets its second wind. Already the average American worker makes around $35,000, and this car you have ta slap another $5k-$10,000 on it to make it a real car. All the numbers are headed the wrong way, because you know yourself that 43.5 mpg is what the sticker says not what the car will get. It looks like a perfect car for Lilliputians, or those little short fellas in the Wizard of Oz.
They'll sell a few but it won't be a land mine.
- 2 years ago
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Gravity_Man
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Gravity_Man
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cztheday:
I think the VW bug of the 1960's weighed about 1250 pounds, or so, so this little booger is an extra 50% heavier, pushing 60% after the extra engine kit and add-ons. IF the purpose of smaller cars was to reduce road damage this Fiat 500 has missed the bus. Notice in particular this quote from above => "Car reviewers across the Atlantic have hailed the 500 as an excellent, compact commuter car."
$30,000.00 after engine enhancements for a COMMUTE to the bus station?!
American drivers will take it down the interstates like it's a real car when they pay that much money for it. It's little steel-belted radial tires (the VW didn't have) will carve out lots of potholes. Small tires will search for and find places to dig into like a dripping faucet dug the Grand Canyon, and the cost to US taxpayers for road repairs won't be reduced. To know that, you have to figure out the weight per tire versus the square inch touching the road surface =>
500+ pounds per tire at such a tiny tire footprint will yield the equivalent road damage of a loaded tractor-trailer tire... once the passengers and freight is added in. It's a sweet-looking little vehicle, and I am sure that over in England driving around London city streets at 15-25 miles per hour will work real fine too. But over here with our interstates and high speeds ~and heavy passengers~ that little sucker will carve grooves in interstate asphalt.
An SUV with its wider spread rubber footprint tires is better for highway surfaces. The load is spread across more rubber. Which points out something else too. Smaller tire footprints means the encountering of road bumps & potholes will beat the living crap out of the Abarth/Chrysler/Fiat/what'cha'ma'call'it-500.
It's cute, but it's another pig-in-a-poke.
- 2 years ago
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Gravity_Man
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Gravity_Man
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cztheday:
500 pieces in 5 years CZ.
- 2 years ago
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Gravity_Man
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ras_menelik
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The Specs
True, the Abarth version of the Cinquecento (500) adds a bit more heat to the pot. But you’re asking, what’s Abarth? This famous little race-car maker and engine tuner was founded in 1949 by Italian Austrian Karl “Carlo” Abarth—the scorpion is his star sign and became the logo for the company. While Abarth is known for its work with Porsche and Simca, the company is most closely associated with Fiat. And in 1971, when Abarth fell on hard times, Fiat bought it out.The engine is a clever reworking of the 1.4-liter four cylinder Fully Integrated Robotised Engine (FIRE) that first launched in 1985. With a turbo, this engine pumps out a conservative and very flexible 135 hp and 152 lb.-ft. of torque. (Abarth is planning on selling a kit to boost this figure to 160 hp and 170 lb.-ft.) In anticipation, the standard car has a drivetrain beefed up with an Alfa Romeo 147 gearbox, a hydraulic clutch from a Punto, bigger brakes and firmer springs and dampers. As might be expected with Fiat’s Luca de Meo in charge (he’s one of the hottest motor-industry talents around), the Abarth 500 ticks all the sub-brand boxes, too, with Brembo brakes, optional OZ wheels, fat Pirelli tires and a range of hot clothing to go with your ride.
http://www.popularmechanics.com/blogs/automotive_news/4273914.html - 2 years ago
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ras_menelik
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ras_menelik
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Cinquecento has found its place
- 2 years ago
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ras_menelik
