{"id":96211,"date":"2015-07-07T17:20:26","date_gmt":"2015-07-07T21:20:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.thedetroitbureau.com\/?p=96211"},"modified":"2015-07-07T17:21:47","modified_gmt":"2015-07-07T21:21:47","slug":"first-look-updated-fiat-500","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/2015\/07\/first-look-updated-fiat-500\/","title":{"rendered":"First Look: Updated Fiat 500"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The 2016 Fiat 500 gets a number of exterior and interior updates - in Europe.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

While we Americans have only had access to the little Fiat 500 since the 2012 model-year, it\u2019s been around the block for awhile \u2013 getting only modest changes since its European introduction in 2007. Considering the speed with which vehicles are being refreshed these days, that might suggest the Cinquecento is already overdue.<\/p>\n

And, indeed, for 2016 Fiat is bringing some changes to the little car, making a number of modest exterior updates, introducing revised powertrains, and giving the 2016 Fiat 500 a much more user-friendly infotainment system based on the Uconnect system developed by the Chrysler side of the family.<\/p>\n

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Product News!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Here\u2019s the catch: for now, the changes to the Fiat 500 are for the European market only. There\u2019s no word if or when we\u2019ll see the Italian maker tweak the U.S. version.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe 500 revealed in Turin is a model produced in Europe for Europe,\u201d explains FCA spokesman Bryan Zvibleman. \u201cThe Fiat 500 for North America will continue to be produced in Toluca, Mexico keeping the specific features for the North American market.\u201d<\/p>\n

So, what are you missing out on?<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

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The 2016 Fiat Cinquecento shows off its distinctive new "empty" taillights.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

From the outside, the 2016 Fiat 500 \u2013 Euro spec \u2013 gets a revised front end with new headlamps, grilles, chrome brightwork and LED daytime running lights, notes the maker, along with what is being describe as the new \u201cempty\u201d light clusters.<\/p>\n

These, the maker continues, are \u201ccomprised of an innovative ring-shaped structure with body-colored centers. Thanks to these new clusters, which are unique to the segment, light appears to emanate from the bodywork almost like an illuminated tattoo!\u201d<\/p>\n

(Fiat sibling brand Maserati hits the silk trail with fashion house Zegna. <\/em>Click Here<\/a> for the story.)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Inside, there also are a number of changes, including a revised dashboard that gets the latest Uconnect infotainment system. On the Fiat 500 Lounge edition that includes a new 7-inch touchscreen. Fiat claims it is \u201cnot only easier to read and more intuitive to use, it also improves connectivity and functionality.\u201d<\/p>\n

(<\/em>Click Here<\/span><\/a> for a first look at the all-new Alfa Romeo Giulia.)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

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The 2016 Fiat 500 gets an expanded range of gas and diesel powertrain options.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The dashboard dome and air vents have been redesigned, and the 2016 Fiat 500 gets a new steering wheel with added controls built-in. There\u2019s new chrome-plated edging and other higher-quality materials intended to improve both the look and feel of the cabin. The seats have been revised to be more ergonomic, as well. There are even new cupholders, a concept Europeans have only recently begun to embrace.<\/p>\n

Comfort is also enhanced by the addition of more sound-deadening insulation.<\/p>\n

On the powertrain side, Fiat is expanding the range of options for 2016 with two versions of the 0.9-liter TwinAir package, one making 85-horsepower, the other 105. There\u2019s a wee 69-hp 1.2-liter engine, and a variant delivering ultra-low emissions. Finally, Europeans also can order a 1.3-liter Multijet turbodiesel making 95-hp.<\/p>\n

(<\/em>Click Here <\/a>for a first drive of the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider.)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

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The 500's new Uconnect system.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Fiat also will offer \u201cSecond Skin\u201d exterior wraps that will allow buyers to customize their vehicles with a variety of different geometric designs.<\/p>\n

Despite the fact that the North American Fiat 500 won\u2019t see any major changes for the 2016 model-year, don\u2019t be surprised to see the carmaker come up with an update soon afterwards. The microcar has not been selling all that well here, in part reflecting the high fashion aspect of this market segment. It will need to freshen things up soon or risk having the Cinquecento drop off the sales charts entirely.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Considering the speed with which vehicles are being refreshed these days, it’s no surprise Fiat is updating the little 500 for 2016 with such creative new features as its “empty” taillights. But for the moment, at least, the new version will be limited to Europe. What might we eventually see in the U.S.? Check out this report on TheDetroitBureau.com.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":96212,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"make":[],"post-state":[],"category_old":[151],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/96211"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=96211"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/96211\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/96212"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=96211"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=96211"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=96211"},{"taxonomy":"make","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/make?post=96211"},{"taxonomy":"post-state","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/post-state?post=96211"},{"taxonomy":"category_old","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/category_old?post=96211"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}