Geneva Motor Show 2012: Fiat

Fiat’s bet at the Geneva show focused on showcasing the Fiat 500L in grand style, although they did not forget the Freemont, two new editions of the 500, the renewal of the Fiat Punto and the Panda with TwinAir engines, as well as the Bravo Street and the Dobló.

The most important novelty, the Fiat 500L in its world pre-premiere, marks Fiat’s entry into the mini-SUV segment, which is so fashionable these days. Opinions on the 500L are mixed: while we have collected several positive comments, there are others that are more critical, with a design that is inevitably compared to the image everyone has of the 500. The engine range will initially comprise two petrol units (TwinAir and 1.4 litres) and a turbodiesel (1.3 Multijet II), to go on sale in the last quarter.

On the Fiat 500 side, there was the debut of the numbered 500 America edition, shown here in saloon form. Produced in only 500 numbered saloon units and 500 numbered convertible units, the new Fiat 500 America pays tribute to the USA, the most recent country where the model went on sale in 2011; no doubt you will remember it from the videos of Jennifer Lopez aboard one of these models. Another 500, the 500 Color Therapy, is an unseen version that draws on the pastel colours predominant in the 1960s and 70s; on the other side, the convertible 500 by Gucci, customised by Frida Giannini in collaboration with Fiat.

The two-cylinder evolved 85 hp turbo TwinAir engine (or TwinAir2) has made its appearance in the Fiat Punto for its 2012 version, a version with specific equipment, but it will also have its place in the Fiat Panda with the new 85 CV TwinAir Turbo version. While the Punto TwinAir is already on sale in Italy, the Panda will begin sales in April.

The Freemont could not be absent, the model developed jointly with its partners at Chrysler, presented in the 4×4 version with the 170 CV 2.0 Multijet2 and 280-horsepower 3.6 V6 petrol engines, coupled to 6-speed automatic gearboxes.

The Bravo Street and the commercial Dobló close Fiat’s display. The former is a special version for young people, while the Dobló has incorporated a new petrol engine, the 1.4 T-Jet with 120 hp, the only turbo-charged petrol engine in its segment.

Source | Highmotor team