StartyourengineS Fiat 500 on Show and ready to go

Friday, march 18, 2011 theprovince.com

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Driving | C3

he 2012 Fiat 500 represents the new wave of urban European cars making a splash this side of the Atlantic, and is one of the most anticipated arrivals at the 2011 Vancouver International Show. Following the philosophy of BMW with the MINI and Volkswagens resurgence of the Beetle, Fiat has redone the 500, or cinquecento, with a modern take on an iconic vehicle. Unlike those German vehicles that were launched in Canada at their inception, the modernized 500 has been around for several years in Europe, winning the 2008 European Car of the Year award. Fiat brought the 500 back in 2007 exactly 50 years to the day after the original 1957 Fiat 500. Similarities to the classic are visible in the design of the 500s headlights, side profile and condensed size. However, the new 500s are designed to be sporty with more than seven times the horsepower of the original. Fiat has done its research for the North American buyer with over a dozen changes from the European-spec version of the 500. Safety upgrades include seven airbags

The 2012 Fiat 500 is sure to be one of the showstoppers at the International Vancouver Auto Show.

and a redesigned body structure for increased strength. Other changes include a softer suspension and noise-reduced interior, an upgraded heating and cooling system, and redesigned driver and front passenger seat cushions and armrests. All 500s come standard with those

seven airbags, ABS, ESC, Traction Control, CD/MP3 radio with audio input, reconfigurable Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) with trip computer, and driver seat height adjuster. Under the hood is the patented MultiAir 1.4-litre engine producing 101 horsepower. MultiAir

technology offers up to 10 per cent greater fuel efficiency and power while decreasing CO2 emissions up to 10 per cent when compared with similar engines not equipped with the system. The Microsoft-engineered Blue & Me Handsfree Communication technology with iPod

control is available as an upgrade to the entertainment package. Ever since Fiat took a majority stake in Chrysler in the summer of 2009, Canadians have been anticipating the arrival of this Italian-bred model. The 500 was chosen as the initial offering from Fiat, and given the response from across the country, it appears to be the right decision. To accommodate the overwhelming feedback and demand for the 500 in Canada, Chrysler scheduled an online event inviting buyers to put down a $500 deposit to reserve one of 500 exclusive Prima Ediziones 500s. On Nov. 23, all 500 of the special edition models sold out in 12 hours. Frankly, this just underscores the interest Canadians have in a youthful, stylish and highly fuel-efficient car., said Chrysler CEO Reid Bigland. The FIAT 500 is just that. Make sure to take a peek at production-ready Fiat 500s, just one of over 400 models that will be on display at the Vancouver Convention Centre as part of the 2011 Vancouver International Auto Show (March 29-April 3).

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