The new
Toluca-built version of the Fiat 500 destined for
American markets – which is already on sale in the U.S.,
Canada and Mexico – has now been launched in Brazil,
where it will replace the Polish built model that has
occupied the price lists for the last two years.
The Fiat 500 will come in three specifications for the
Brazilian market: Cult (the renamed ‘Pop’ level), Sport
Air and Lounge Air. The Cult will be fitted with Fiat
Brazil’s upgraded 1.4 8V FlexFuel FIRE engine (dubbed ‘EVO’)
with the option of 5-speed manual (from the U.S.-market
500) or the European-specification Dualogic
transmissions (already a popular option in Brazil). The
Sport Air level receives the 1.4 16V engine, as well as
the North American market’s six-speed Aisin automatic
while the top-spec Lounge Air will be available only
with the automatic.
It means that Brazilian consumers will have the
unprecedented choice of three transmissions – North
American and European buyers can only choose between
two. It is also the first time that Fiat Powertrain’s
MultiAir technology has been seen in Brazil.
The 500 was launched in Brazil in 2009, but the
eye-watering duties for importing the European market
model from Poland meant it was only destined to be a
brand halo and price list novelty. The new Mexico-built
model still sets the bar high, starting at Rs 39,990
(US$24,838), but Fiat Automóveis will be hoping it can
be a fashion hit – and with the U.S. and Canadian
markets currently falling well short of sales targets,
Fiat will be looking to introduce some idled volumes
from Toluca to Brazil. Unfortunately Fiat’s regular
attempts up its products shift up-market usually end in
failure – the list of models to have tried is almost endless –
so it remains to be seen if the Brazilian market 500
will be repositioned.
Produced by Chrysler at its Toluca plant, the Brazilian
market 500 incorporates all the security mechanisms
required by the strict American regulations as standard,
as well as more equipment to make the driving experience
even more enjoyable and comfortable. It took nearly 16
months of preparation, including investments,
implementation of new processes and procedures,
installation of equipment and tooling, training of more
than 2,000 workers and very accurate means of quality
control, until the actual start of production in Mexico.
The 500 will be the first Fiat model to go on sale in
Brazil equipped with the revolutionary MultiAir
technology - created and patented by Fiat Powertrain -
which combines improved power, torque, economy and lower
emissions; it will come with the option of manual or
automatic six-speed sequential transmissions. It will
also be the first time that the EVO 1.4 FlexFuel engine
option (fitted to Dualogic) has been seen in the 500,
which will power the Brazilian market's entry-level
versions. Fiat's Eco:Drive, a feature that improves the
efficiency of driving in order to reduce fuel
consumption and CO2 emissions to the environment, will
also be marketed with the Brazilian 500.
The Brazilian range of the Mexico-built 500 will thus be
highly comprehensive: two engines, three different
transmissions and five versions, plus a special series.
That special series will take a leaf straight out of the
North American book: the Prima Edizione, which will be
limited to 500 individually-numbered units, will use the
same trim additions as the version that kicked off U.S.
sales earlier this year.
TWO ENGINES, THREE TRANSMISSIONS
In the new Brazilian range, the 500 will be available
with two engines: the 1.4 EVO Flex and the new-to-Brazil
1.4 16V gasoline MultiAir. That means three innovations
for this market: the 1.4 16V engine represents the first
application of the MultiAir technology - invented and
patented by Fiat Powertrain - in a Fiat model in Brazil;
the versions with the 1.4 16V MultiAir can be equipped
with the six-speed sequential Aisin automatic
transmission (which is available to the American 500 but
not to the European versions); while the Brazilian 500 is
also the first to receive the combination of the
1.4-litre EVO Flex engine and Dualogic transmission.
The 1.4-litre EVO Flex that equips the entry-level
versions will produce maximum power of 85 hp with
gasoline and 88 hp with ethanol. For the first time this engine
can come associated with the five-speed Dualogic
transmission. The 1.4
Evo engine developed by the Fiat Powertrain incorporates
a series of devices designed to reduce consumption and lower emissions and noise.
The 1.4 16V gasoline MultiAir generates power of 105 hp. It
incorporates technological advances that enhance its
power and its torque - and still make it more economical
and less polluting. The new MultiAir technology controls
the air intake and combustion. It ensures the dynamic
control of the air intake cylinder by cylinder, through
the activation of the electro-hydraulic valve, a
mechanism much more precise than what is used in
conventional engines.
The Brazilian 500 can receive a five-speed manual
transmission or the six-speed off-the-shelf Aisin
automatic sequential. The Aisin 6-speed sequential
automatic transmission's features include:
four operating modes (Eco, Sport, Winter and Manual),
torque converter with lock-up snd kick-down function,
rake assist (automatically reduces sudden braking gear
in ABS integrated operation), smart adaptation to the
way of driving: (up-down Sensor Slope to adapting the
vehicle to tilt/Cornering Function/Fast-Off function
which inhibits unnecessary shifting when the driver
takes the foot off the accelerator quickly) and Neutral
Control Function and Auto Learning to reduce fuel
consumption.
The 500 will arrive in
the Brazilian showrooms in five versions, two engines
and three types of transmission and in three trim
levels: Cult
and Cult Dualogic (Engine: 1.4 EVO
Flex/Transmission: Mechanical 5-speed and Dualogic 5
speed), Sport Air (Engine:
MultiAir 1.4 16V gasoline/Transmission: Mechanical
5-speed) and Sport Air Automatic
and Lounge Air Automatic (Engine:
MultiAir 1.4 16V gasoline/Transmission: Sequential
Automatic 6-speed).
Fiat 500
Cult. Features include Dual Drive electric
power steering, dual air bags, brakes with ABS + EBD,
ESP, Hill Holder, ESS (emergency braking system
signaling), ASR, air-conditioning, board computer, My
Car, A and B trip computer, CD radio with MP3 auxiliary
input and six speakers, electric headlights with height
adjustment, willingness to fix ISOFIX child seat, driver
seat with easy-entry, memory and height adjustment,
split rear seat, electric external mirrors, Sport
function, electric windows and locks, remote key knife
with opening and closing of doors, follow me home,
electrical control for opening the trunk and fuel cap,
steering wheel with height adjustment, 12V center
console socket, 15" alloy wheels, storage compartments
under the passenger seat, openings in the front seat
backs and center console. Fiat 500 Cult Dualogic.
It brings the same items as standard Cult version with
mechanical transmissions, plus Dualogic transmission.
Among the optional
Cult versions there is leather steering wheel with radio
controls, cruise control, electric Sky Wind sunroof,
Blue&Me (with Bluetooth and USB interfaces) and Bose
Premium Audio Package.
Fiat 500 Sport Air. This comes with the
North American market's Sport model's specific bumpers
and side moldings but with no side skirts. This version,
plus all the equipment of the Fiat 500 Cult, includes
standard side air bags in front seats, cruise control,
steering wheel leather with radio controls, fog lights,
front center armrest as well as items unique to the
finish version, as the pommel chrome exchange, rear
spoiler, brake calipers painted red, 16" alloy wheels
and sport seats partial leather lined. Fiat 500
Sport Automatic. The
version changes the mechanical transmission to the
sequential six-speed Aisin automatic transmission.
The Sport Air versions
offer as optional, curtain air bags, left and right,
covering the front and rear (Window bag) - knee bag for
the driver, electric Sky Wind sunroof, Blue&Me (with
interfaces for Bluetooth and USB), Bose Premium Audio
package, automatic digital air conditioning, electro
chromic rearview mirror and all-leather covered seats.
Fiat 500
Lounge Air Automatic. This includes all the
equipment of the Sport Air version (excluding the Sport
Air's bumpers and side mouldings) plus a fixed glass
roof, alloy wheels, exclusive lightweight 15" electric
exterior mirrors with chrome cap, chrome trim on the
bumpers front and rear, gear stick lined in leather, and
fabric-covered banks of the Premium logo on the back.
Options include an air bag curtain, knee bag for the
driver, parking sensor rear air-conditioning automatic
digital, electric sunroof Sky Wind, Blue & Me (with
Bluetooth interfaces, USB and iPod), Package Audio Bose
Premium, rear view mirror electro chromic internal,
leather-covered seats with logo "500" and light-alloy
wheels in 16”.
“PRIMA
EDIZIONE” SPECIAL SERIES
Chrysler Group's Toluca factory
is now cranking out another 500 numbered copies of the
"500 Prima Edizione"
limited series specially for Brazil, following on from
the cars sent to North America. On this market the
"Prima Edizione" was a success earlier this year:
offered to enthusiasts, it sold out quickly. The special series,
which will only be available with the manual transmission,
will be applied to the Sport Air version and will come
in three colours: Sfrontato red, Broth white and
Sfrenato gray. Externally, several finishing touches
distinguish the special series of Sport Air version,
including the roof, the door mirror caps and rear
spoiler all in a glossy black. It also has unique side
bands with the "500" logo, and the 16" wheel rims with
black paint and exclusive special "Prima Edizione" signs
at the doors columns. Internally, the series brings
special red stitching on the steering wheel, on the hood
of the transmission and seats, dashboard in graphite,
red "500" logos in the carpets and a "Prima Edizione"
sign on the back of the front seats and initials with
the copy number of the right hand panel.
CUSTOMISATION
There are 23
accessories available for Brazilian owners to customise
their 500s. The customer can add side side skirts,
tailgate spoiler, chrome mirror covers, chrome hood
apply, side sills with initials, adhesive strips to
create Italy and Sport versions, roof runners and
door/ignition key covers.
AFTER
SALES WARRANTY + L’ÚNICO CLUB
The Brazilian Fiat 500
comes with a two year warranty and Confiat service
during this period throughout the Fiat supply chain,
with over 560 dealers and service points throughout
Brazil. All 500 customers also have the privilege to
participate in the L'único Club. Among the highlights of
this program are hotel, restaurants, and show
reservation services plus "back and forth" service, with
trailer or qualified driver for the review, maintenance
and installation of accessories or any given emergency.
