Are Fiat back in the game ? (56k beware!)

[Barakka]

Some may know i'm an Italian car fan, and especially the Fiat clan (including Alfa, Lancia etc.) and was wondering if the opinion of Fiat is changing at all ?

No ?

It seems Fiat are (finally) doing something about it, and the new/future developments/collaborations may go some way changing peoples minds... let me set forward my case...

1) New Grande Punto... this is a collaboration with GM and will form the basis of the new Corsa sharing chassis, engines, etc. next year will also see the GT, Abarth, and possibly CC version.


2) New 500 (Cinquecento), after the original was voted Sexiest Car of All Time, the new version is to be released next year...



will also be the new....

Ford Ka in 2008

3) The new Bravo development schedule cut from 36 months to 18, to see a release date of 2007...



4) Fiat/Alfa Multijet Diesel Engines - seem to be the nuts, they are to be used by Fiat, Alfa, Suzuki, Vauxhall, Ford...

5) New Fiat Engines... to launched next year 1.4T and 1.8T initially... the 1.8T in the Grande Punto Abarth, and the 1.4T in the Grande Punto GT

and in the new 150BHP 500 Abarth


6) Alfa - they've facelifted the 147 and brought out the 159, with the 149 to follow...


7) Lancia are coming BACK to the UK in 2008 ! with a new Delta based on this concept...



So what do you reckon ? Lost Cause ? or is there something for everyone... I think if they play it right they might just pull it off... but then I am a bit biased

[Howard]

[Rave]

So hang on, the multijet engines they developed with GM are going in the new Ford Ka?

Italian slags.

Good luck to them tho, the Grande Punto is the best looking car for ages.

[Konan555]

The Bravo looks pretty cool. Looks a lot like a squished 407 estate to me.

[jon bda]

Shelley wants a new 500, i want the Abarth one if they paint it in a slightly less lairy scheme...

[J4MES]

you forgot teh new Panda which has gone down pretty well...

[javalord]

They look good, but half the problem will be the association with the badge... such a badge snobby society we live in!

[BUFF]

has it just eaten a lemon?
imo that's a seriously unattractive looking car from that angle.

[leeglf]

has it just eaten a lemon?
imo that's a seriously unattractive looking car from that angle.

lol your right that is one ugly looking car!

but for some strange reason i really like the new fiat 500

[MadduckUK]

reminds me of:

but with something very, very wrong

[chuckskull]

That new lancia better be bonkers fast like the old ones..

[leeglf]

That new lancia better be bonkers fast like the old ones..

mmmmmmm lancia delta intergrale one of my fave cars ever...

[chuckskull]

I remember being taken across a welsh hill in a top spec Delta. I came out ever so slightly green and smiling like a lunatic.

[Howard]

Wait a second... There's a NEW Ford Ka? Lord help me

[Tumble]

Yes, they look pretty, yes they're doing lots about new development. and yes, the new Diesel motors are stonking bits of kit.... BUT if they don't do something about the build quality they're gonna fall flat on their fizzogs. I've driven a few Fiats - from 10 years old to 6 months old (2 Puntos and a Doblo van) and to say the build quality hasn't been great would be being nice

[chuckskull]

Fix It Again Tomorrow.