Fiat Drops Official Info on New Dodge Dart-Based Viaggio Compact Sedan

After the first photos of Fiat's Viaggio leaked on the web (pun not intended) on Thursday, the Italian carmaker decided it was time to officially release the teaser images and provide initial details on the compact-sized sedan model.

The Viaggio will have its world preview at the 2012 Beijing International Auto Show on Monday, April 23, before it goes on sale in China this fall. The car's name is Italian for voyage or journey, while Fiat says its Chinese name 'Fei Xiang' means flying.

As is evident from the teaser photos, the Viaggio is based on the 2013 Dodge Dart, which in turn, uses Fiat's new CUSW (Compact US Wide) platform derived from the Compact architecture originally developed for the Alfa Romeo Giulietta.

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Maserati to Build Alfa Romeo 4C at its Modena Plant, will Introduce Three new Models

It's that time of year that the Fiat Group reveals its plans for the near future and on Thursday, the Italian automaker announced that Maserati will expand its product offering and significantly increase volumes over the next two years with the presentation of three new models in three different market segments.

The Italian company did not provide additional information, but we already know that the three new Maserati models planned for production are the Kubang luxury SUV that was previewed in showcar trim at the 2011 Frankfurt motor show, a mid-size sports sedan to compete with the BMW 6-Series Gran Coupe and Mercedes CLS, and the next generation of the large Quattroporte sedan.

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Say Ciao to the Dodge Dart's Italian Cousin, the New Fiat Viaggio

We knew that the Fiat Group is planning to introduce a Fiat-branded version of the Dodge Dart named Viaggio at the upcoming Auto China Show 2012 in Beijing later this month, but now we can show you the first teaser images of the compact sedan.

The images, which surfaced on the Italian forum Autopareri, provide us with a glimpse of the Viaggio's front and rear ends as well as its profile.

Even with these pictures, it's not hard to see that Fiat's re-branding of the Dart is limited to the new bumper and headlamp assembly at the front and the new tail lamps and possibly a more pronounced boot lid edge at the back.

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The Chrysler Group Takes Over the Fiat Group's Australian Operations

Fiat may have been the one to buy a controlling stake in Chrysler, but it's the American arm of the company that it destined to take over the distribution of Fiat, Alfa Romeo and Fiat Professional vehicles in Australia.

In a similar move, Chrysler had taken over distribution responsibilities for Fiat cars and light commercial vehicles in Russia back in February.

In Australia, the Fiat group's distribution rights will be transferred to Chrysler on May 1. Under the new deal, the Italian group's 17 passenger dealerships and 22 commercial vehicle outlets across the country, will report directly to the Melbourne-based Chrysler Australia group.

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Fiat to Introduce 500X Small Crossover Next Year, will Base New Jeep SUV

The Fiat Group is putting all its weight behind the 500 series, which started off with the original three-door hatchback, but has now evolved to include the rag-top 500C, the Abarth performance variants and more recently, the mechanically unrelated, 500L small MPV (pictured above and below) that will be soon joined by a 7-passenger version.

The next 500 model in Fiat's grand plan is a small crossover. Sources from within the Italian automaker told Automotive Europe that the car will be named the 500X and that it will be presented as early as next year.

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Fiat to Launch Dodge Dart as the New Viaggio in China, Hatchback Version May Replace Bravo

At next month's 2012 Beijing Auto Show, Fiat will whip the covers off a new compact sedan model named the Viaggio before it begins producing the car in China in July, ahead of its market launch later in the year, according to a report from Autonews Europe.

The new sedan, which is named after the Italian word for Journey, will be a rebadged version of the new 2013 Dodge Dart sedan that will reach U.S. dealerships this May with a starting price of $15,995 (€12,100 / GBP 10,100).

The Dart is based on a modified version of the Alfa Romeo Giulietta's platform. It measures 4,672mm (183.9-in. long, 1,830mm (72-in.) wide, 1,465mm (57.7-in.) tall and rides on a 2,703mm (106.4-in.) wheelbase.

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Angry Woman Thrashes on Motorcyclist During One of the Craziest Road Rage Incidents Ever!

If you still don't believe that hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, then we'd advise you to take a look at the following video that was shot in Brazil.

We can honestly say that it’s one of the craziest and most dangerous incidents of road rage that we have ever seen. Period.

Reports emerging from Brazil say that, according to the police report, the said incident took place on February 23. It all started when a woman driving a Fiat Palio Adventure allegedly cut off the motorcyclist at a red light.

From there on, a passenger in a following vehicle catches the entire episode on film. Apparently, some words and/or looks were exchanged and the motorcyclist kicks the front fender of the Fiat. That was a bad move because the woman immediately runs her car onto the motorcyclist knocking him down! Sounds crazy right? Wait, you haven’t heard the half of it!

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Extinct Species: Remembering Five Former Italian Car Makers

Two weeks ago, while wandering around the brand new Enzo Ferrari Museum in Modena, I came across a particular brand of automobile that is a rarity to find. Located in the lower half of the Jan Kaplický designed building’s modern showroom was a 1961 Stanguellini Junior.

As I studied the contours of its red bodywork, I couldn’t help but think about all of the once great Italian names that have faded into a distant memory.

In the spirit of the Enzo Ferrari Museum, which aims to educate visitors about Modena’s rich racing heritage, I decided to take a moment to write about some of the many Italian automobile brands that are now a part of the past.

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Fiat to Halt Production in Two More Plants Due to Hauler's Strike, Says it's Reaching a Breaking Point

Adding to the Fiat Group's long list of troubles in Europe is the prolonged vehicle transporter strike in Italy. The company issued a statement today saying that it will temporarily suspend production at two plants in the country.

These include the Cassino plant (from March 27 to 29) and the Giambattista Vico plant in Pomigliano d'Arco (from March 26 to 27), where the all-important new Panda (currently being launched across Europe) is produced.

"The vehicle transporter strike involving only a minority of drivers' associations, which has now been in effect for more than a month, is causing major disruption for the automotive sector in Italy," Fiat said in a statement.

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فيات 2012 فيات بونتو Fiat Punto 2012

 فيات بونتو Fiat Punto 2012

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Fiat Management to Meet with Italian Prime Minister to Discuss its Future

It’s no secret that Fiat is in dire straits right now. Its CEO, Sergio Marchionne, is counting on increased productivity and U.S. sales, but he’s also prepared to close down two Italian plants if push comes to shove.

According to Reuters, Marchionne and Fiat Chairman (and Gianni Agnelli grandson) John Elkann will meet with the Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti and, subsequently, with Labor and Industry Ministers, Elsa Fornero and Corrado Passera, today to discuss the group’s plans concerning its local operations.

Monti is no stranger to Fiat as he has is a friend of the Agnelli family and was on the company’s board from 1988 until 1993. However, it's the first time that he will meet with its management as a Prime Minister.

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Fiat Airs Brand New "Baby" Commercial for the 500 in the States

The Fiat brand is slowly abandoning the banal Jennifer Lopez ads for its 500 city car and moving towards sexier and cheekier spots like the overly successful "Seduction" clip featuring Catrinel Menghia with some 8.3 million views on Fiat's Youtube channel and "House Arrest" with Charlie Sheen and Catrinel Menghia that has garnered around 1.8 million views in two weeks.

Coinciding with the broadcast debut of "House Arrest" this evening on local and national TV stations as well cable channels, is another new commercial for the 500 named "Baby".

The new 30-second ad shows two young men in the front seats and a baby boy in the back pulling by a 1967 Imperial, at which point the toddler joins his fingers in the traditional Italian way and says something to the stunned driver (our Italian readers can help with the translation).

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فيات 2013 فيات باندا Fiat Panda UK Version 2013

 فيات باندا Fiat Panda UK Version 2013 

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Chevrolet MPV will be called ‘Enjoy’

‘MPV’ name plate shown at Expo was only a temporary name. Will go on sale mid-2012, petrol powered version will be offered initially.

Chevrolet unveiled its much-awaited MPV based on the Chinese Wuling CN-100 at the Auto Expo in New Delhi. But while that car carried name plates that simply read ‘MPV’, it was only a working title, and Autocar India has learned that the seven-seater will be called ‘Enjoy’ by the time it goes on sale in mid 2012.

The Enjoy will first be launched with a 94.6bhp 1.4-litre petrol, but will get a 1.3-litre SDE diesel – GM’s version of Fiat’s Multijet – at the beginning of next year. GM is hoping to undercut rivals like the Toyota Innova and Mahindra Xylo by a huge margin – targeting a starting price of under Rs 6 lakh.

Fiat, Suzuki ink pact for Multijet

Fiat to supply upto 100,000 diesel engines every year to Suzuki.

Fiat and Suzuki Motor Corporation have reached an agreement for the supply of Fiat’s small diesel engine -- the 1.3-litre Multijet -- to Maruti Suzuki. Fiat India will supply up to 100,000 Multijet 75hp SDE engines every year for a three-year period that begins in the third week of January. Production of the engine for Maruti will start at Fiat India Automobiles’ Ranjangaon plant near Pune.

These volumes will be in addition to the 1.3-litre Multijet SDE engines already licensed by Fiat and manufactured by Suzuki Powertrain India. The 1.3 Multijet is a BS IV four-cylinder, 16V engine. It powers the all-new Swift and these additional supplies will enable Maruti to fulfill its deliveries of the car to the over 100,000 buyers who booked it. An estimated 80 percent of demand was for the diesel version. The SX4 and Ritz are also powered by the 1.3 Multijet engine.

With the colossal swing towards diesel-engined cars in the Indian market, carmakers have struggled to supply enough diesel models to their customers. With over 100,000 bookings for the all-new Swift, the problem was particularly significant for Maruti. Earlier, Maruti Suzuki had imported diesel engines from its Hungary facility.

Test Drive and Review of New Fiat Linea and Grande Punto

Fiat has made some of the greatest advances in small car design and technology over the years. It has designed some of the most attractive-looking hatches, it often sets the benchmark for ride and handling and its 1.3 Multijet diesel is so good, even the Japanese have bowed down to its genius. Yet, despite having all the essentials, Fiat hasn’t attained the level of success it should have enjoyed in India.

Still, Fiat has put its shoulder to the grindstone to update its very underrated Linea and Grande Punto. This year sees some significant updates for its flagship Linea and the Grande Punto. But look at the cars and you won’t be able to tell the difference instantly. What hasn’t changed is that they are still among the best-looking cars in their respective classes.

On the outside, the Linea Emotion now gets the handsome 16-inch turbine-blade alloy wheels from the T-jet, all Linea models now get automatic headlights and wipers (a first for the segment) and Fiat has improved the aircon unit as well. Mechanical changes include more ground clearance (Fiat claims a best-in-class 185mm) and revisions to the state of tune of the 92bhp diesel engine. Fiat’s diesel still feels a bit rattley at idle, however, and you still have to work the gearbox and accelerator to extract any performance from it. Interior quality has been given a perceptible lift and, on its raised suspension, the Linea still rides beautifully. The handling isn’t as sharp as when the car was originally launched here, but we think this softer character of the suspension suits it better overall.

Also brightened up from the inside with two-tone colours and nicer fit and finish is the Grande Punto. Like the Linea, ground clearance has been increased and the aircon system has been improved. The car drives beautifully, feeling very solid and one-piece. Ride quality is exceptional, agility is good and now even the base version gets the Linea’s slick-looking audio system as well as central locking. If only Fiat had a proper 16-valve 1.2-litre motor; this current 1172cc, eight-valve unit is simply too anaemic. Still, the 1.3 diesel is good enough to get the job done. And it’s still one of the most attractive-looking hatchbacks ever.

As expected, the updates have come at a price, and there is an increase of approximately Rs 50,000 on the price tag of every model in both cars’ ranges. The Grande Punto now starts at Rs 4.81 lakh and the Linea at Rs 6.84 lakh for their respective base Active petrol variants (both prices ex-showroom, Delhi).

Fiat offers festival discounts on Linea and Punto

NEW DELHI: In a bid to increase sales during the festival season, Italian automobile major Fiat's Indian subsidiary on Wednesday launched discount offers for its hatchback Punto and sedan Linea.

"With the launch of this campaign, we portray our commitment towards the Indian market and communicate that this campaign has been designed keeping in mind the emotions, sentiments and key values, deeply portraying our Indian connect," said Fiat India chief executive Rajeev Kapoor.

According to the company, the new offer would allow customers to avail discounts of up to Rs.1,30,000 on Linea and Rs.75,000 on Punto.

• The offer is from September to October.The schemes also includes a further option to add Rs.20,000 in discounted purchase for customers who exchange their old-car for Fiat vehicles.

"This scheme includes attractive exchange benefits of up to Rs.20,000, wherein customers can upgrade to Fiat cars if they exchange their cars while buying new Fiat cars," the company said in a statement.

The scheme also provides 50 months of roadside assistance package along with one-year insurance at the rate of Re.1.

Fiat's 'diesel for petrol' offer

Fiat India has introduced a unique marketing initiative titled ‘Diesel at the price of petrol’, for the month of July.  If you buy a Fiat Linea or Punto, you get a chance to participate in a lucky draw, which may entitle you to a year’s supply of fuel or the diesel variant of the petrol car that you plan to buy.

In case you plan to buy a diesel Fiat and your name comes up in the lucky draw, you’ll have to pay only for the corresponding petrol variant. If you buy the Linea T-jet, and win, you get Rs 100,000 off on the ex-showroom price.This initiative is meant to influence customers who would prefer to buy a diesel Fiat due to the low running costs but are deterred due to the high initial premium.  Buyers can opt for a diesel Linea or Punto at the price of the petrol variant or equivalent cash back.

The offer is not limited only to the winners of the contest; all buyers of Fiat cars in July will be provided free fuel for three months and discounts on the first year’s insurance and free 50 months roadside assistance. Customers exchanging their old cars to upgrade to a Linea or Punto get an additional exchange bonus of upto Rs 20,000.