The convertible version of the city car, born from a collaboration between Fiat’s Centro Stile and DIESEL fashion brand designers, has been enhanced with the introduction of a new Midnight Indigo Blue colour, a shade reminiscent of stone-washed denim jeans.

Based on the Fiat 500C Lounge specification, the new car comes with a choice of 1.2-litre and 1.4-litre petrol, and 1.3-litre MultiJet diesel engines. Also available in Crossover Black and DIESEL Green, there’s the option of black, ivory and red soft top colours.

The  500CbyDIESEL has many of the other features that made the hatchback version so distinctive including:

• 16-inch special alloy wheels with DIESEL logo
• Brake callipers painted yellow (optional on 1.4 version only)
• Specific burnished-metal-finish front and rear bumper inserts
• Specific burnished-metal-finish side rubbing strips
• Specific burnished-metal-finish door handles and mirrors
• Unique side pillar moulding embossed with the word DIESEL
• Unique rear moulding with the DIESEL logo
• Special DIESEL branded upholstery in denim fabric and yellow stitching
• Specific leather steering wheel with yellow stitching
• DIESEL logo on the gear lever knob

In line with the Fiat 500C Lounge version, the 500CbyDIESEL will also be fitted with automatic climate control and rear parking sensors as standard.

“The 500byDIESEL took the automotive and fashion worlds by storm last year, and we are delighted to be able to do it again with a 500C version,” says Elena Bernardelli, marketing director, Fiat Group Automobiles UK & Ireland. “All the stylish details, combined with the 500C Lounge product features, make the Fiat 500CbyDIESEL the perfect choice for style lovers!”

Prices for the Fiat 500CbyDIESEL start at £14,865 OTR for the 1.2-litre version and rise to £16,265 OTR (1.4-litre) and £17,265 OTR (1.3-litre MultiJet).

For more information visit: www.fiat.co.uk/500byDIESEL

Every Abarth reflects the high performance brand’s direct connection with competition, and the new 695 Tributo Ferrari takes these links to a new level, with stunning performance matched to perfect day-to-day usability.

This exclusive car – just 152 examples of the Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari will be available in right hand drive form in Britain – is priced at Euros 35,500 (£29,600). On the outside the new car’s livery is inspired by Ferrari’s models, with carbon wing mirrors and Corsa Grey wheels and front air intakes.

Powered by a 1368cc turbocharged engine, producing over 180bhp at 5750rpm and 230Nm torque at 3300rpm, the 695 Tributo Ferrari can accelerate from 0-62mph in less than seven seconds and has a top speed of 140mph. However, the frugal engine can return 43.3mpg on the combined cycle.

The car features a comprehensive list of equipment which includes:

• five airbags
• electronic stability programme (ESP)
• torque transfer control (TTC)
• Sport button
• power steering
• automatic climate control
• Xenon headlights
• Blue&Me hands-free infotainment
• Abarth leather steering wheel
• ‘Record Monza’ dual-mode exhaust
• Abarth Corsa by Sabelt seats
• 17-inch alloy wheels

Mounted behind the steering wheel are the paddles for the electro-hydraulic Abarth Competizione gearbox. Pressing the Sport button on the dashboard activates a more racy setting for the gearbox, engine control unit and steering for an even more responsive drive.

The original Abarth 695 was introduced in the mid-1960s. The pinnacle of this series was a 38hp engine – though fine-tuning could raise this to over 50hp.

“Abarth and Ferrari are both iconic names in Italian automotive history,” says Ivan Gibson, head of Abarth in the UK. “Their passion and dedication helped to create a reputation for sporting excellence in Italian cars around the world, and this new Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari upholds that tradition with some style.”

The Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari is available to special order only, through Abarth’s 19-strong UK dealer network.

Just 200 examples of the matt black supermini will be available when it goes on sale next week. As with previous special edition 500 models, the BlackJack will initially be available on-line only at www.fiat.co.uk.

The BlackJack name reinforces the character of this car: irreverent and mysterious. The 500 BlackJack is the first vehicle in this segment to offer the special paint, and is one of several exciting Fiat 500 limited editions being introduced this year.

Based on the 1.2 and 1.4 Sport specification, the Fiat 500 BlackJack features:

• Individual matt black paint finish
• Mouldings, door handles, door mirrors and plate holder in metallic effect
• 16-inch alloy wheels in matt black with red coach line
• Red brake callipers (1.4 only)
• Special carpet mats

The 500 BlackJack – like all Fiat 500s – comes as standard with Fiat’s Start&Stop, which stops the engine automatically whenever traffic conditions bring the car to a complete halt, and restarts it immediately the driver wants to move off again.

“The paint finish is the most striking feature of this new limited edition,” says Elena Bernardelli, marketing director, Fiat Group Automobiles UK and Ireland. “It has previously been a characteristic of new supercars, and gives the Fiat 500 a stunning new image. I am sure the BlackJack will be a huge hit with Fiat 500 fans.”

The new car costs £12,165 OTR (1.2) and £13,565 OTR (1.4).

The musician beat fellow stage star Neil Primrose, from the band Travis, into second place, with international record producer Paul O’Duffy coming third at the world-famous Silverstone Circuit.

The charity race attracted a host of stars including celebrity chefs Heston Blumenthal and James Martin, dancer Brendan Cole, actor Tom Chambers and former footballer Luther Blissett, among others. As well as being a fabulous spectacle for the race crowds the special event also raised funds for the Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research UK.

Each celebrity driver was provided with a race-prepared version of the super-quick Abarth 500 esseesse road car – all finished in Abarth’s historic Campovolo Grey racing colours.

“I absolutely loved it,” says Rick Parfitt Jnr, “I’ve driven karts before but that was my first proper car race, and I’m really pleased to have won because I was up against some great competition in Neil and Paul.

“The Abarth was a cracking car to drive – modern but with so many retro touches and even though it was basically a road car, you could really chuck it around. Absolutely superb.”

“The Celebrity Challenge was a wonderful spectacle and a huge success,” says Ivan Gibson, head of Abarth in the UK. “I hope this will be the first of many similar motorsport challenges for our friends from show business.”

A special event, the BSM Centenary Abarth 500 Celebrity Challenge, will feature race-prepared versions of the potent Abarth 500 esseesse road car. It’s set to raise funds for the Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research UK, and is one of the highlights of the prestigious ‘Silverstone Classic’ motorsport extravaganza planned for the famous circuit from 23-25 July 2010.

Celebrities who have been preparing for the tough race include TV chefs Heston Blumenthal and James Martin, Strictly Come Dancing’s Brendan Cole, actor Tom Chambers who won ‘Strictly’ in 2008, former Watford and England footballer Luther Blissett, TV presenter Lord Charles Brocket, rocker Rick Parfitt Junior and drummer Neil Primrose from the band Travis.

BBC Radio 2 DJs Johnnie Walker and Richard Allinson, and BBC Sport journalist Jonny Saunders, are also competing in the race, while legendary DJ ‘Whispering’ Bob Harris is Team Manager.

The road-going versions of the Abarth 500 have been modified to meet race safety specification. All the cars are finished in the historic Campovolo Grey racing colours of Karl Abarth, together with branding from Britain’s largest and most popular driving school, BSM.

“The Abarth 500 esseesse provides our celebrity drivers with the ideal introduction to motorsport,” says Ivan Gibson, head of Abarth in the UK. “And it demonstrates that, just as it was back in the 1960s, Abarth’s saying: ‘Small but wicked’ is still very much in keeping with the brand.”

After the race, the limited edition event cars will be autographed by the drivers and made available for sale. The celebrities will be raising funds for the Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research UK via sponsorship on their cars. Run in memory of one of Britain’s best-loved footballers, the fund supports research into bowel cancer.

The Silverstone Classic is the biggest classic racing festival in the world as well as one of Europe’s most entertaining car-themed events. It features some of the rarest and most valuable racing cars in the world.

The series, which starts with its first rounds over the Easter weekend (3 and 5 April), was part of a media tie-in with the British Superbikes race programme at Cadwell Park, Lincolnshire. The Abarth 500 Trofeo cars will feature alongside the superbikes later this season.

Starring Abarth’s potent new 500 Assetto Corse race cars, the Trofeo series has proved a remarkable success on the International race calendar. Dates for the UK version – called Trofeo Abarth 500 GB – were recently announced and include rounds at some of Britain’s best-known circuits, beginning with the Easter races at Oulton Park, Cheshire.

The Trofeo race cars and the British Superbikes return to Cadwell Park later this year for an event – one of the first of its kind – featuring two- and four-wheeled racing on the same bill.

“This was a final chance for the media to see our race cars before the season gets underway,” says Ivan Gibson, head of Abarth UK. “It also allowed several drivers and teams to make final preparations for what I am sure will be an exciting and entertaining season of racing in these remarkable cars.”

Powered by a 1368cc 16-valve turbocharged engine, the 970kg Trofeo 500 race cars develop 190bhp at 6500rpm and torque of 300Nm at 3000rpm to achieve dramatic performance on the track.

The new Trofeo Abarth 500 GB series calendar is as follows:

• 3 April – Oulton Park
• 18 April – Silverstone
• 23 May – Cadwell Park
• 27 June – Snetterton
• 25 July – Silverstone
• 5 September – Brands Hatch
• 24 October – Monza

“The alliance with Fiat presented new opportunities to merge Chrysler Group engineering knowledge with new platforms and the Fiat 500EV is an outstanding example of our efforts,” said Scott Kunselman, Senior Vice President Engineering—Chrysler Group LLC. “The Fiat 500 is a small, lightweight platform perfect for integrating electric-vehicle technology.”

The Fiat 500EV powertrain is comprised of three main systems; high power electric powertrain module, advance lithium ion battery, and an EV control unit to manage power flows. Beginning in 2012, Chrysler Group will manufacture the Fiat 500EV for the United States market. All powertrain engineering and vehicle development will take place at Chrysler Group headquarters in Auburn Hills, Mich. Pricing will be announced closer to launch, but will be competitive with similar electric vehicles in the market.

Chrysler Group is the vehicle electrification center of competence for both Chrysler Group and Fiat Group. The company is exploring ways to promote zero-emission transportation and the development of an electric-vehicle charging infrastructure through partnerships to be announced in the future.

Last year Chrysler Group announced the company’s intention to build the Fiat 500 with a combustion engine for North America. The vehicle will debut in late 2010.

Ram Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV)
Chrysler Group has been selected for a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) grant of up to $48 million as part of a $2.4 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act DOE Vehicle Electrification program. Chrysler Group is planning to build a total of 140 Ram PHEVs for a three-year demonstration project that includes various geographic and climatic locations across the United States.

“This initiative represents how government, automotive industry, suppliers and key partners are reaching common goals and demonstrates how rapidly this type of advanced technology can be brought to market,” said Paolo Ferrero, Senior Vice President—Powertrain, Chrysler Group LLC. “DOE-support for domestic advanced technology is an important enabler for Chrysler Group and its key suppliers in order to understand and test customer acceptance and the capability of PHEV systems in a variety of real-world conditions.”

The Ram PHEV features Chrysler Group’s 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 with a two mode hybrid transmission and a 12KwHr lithium ion battery. The vehicle is capable of up to 20 miles of zero-emission, pure-electric range without the need for gasoline. An overall fuel economy improvement more than 65 percent is expected for average drive cycles. Chrysler Group has partnered with Electrovaya Inc. to supply the advanced lithium Ion batteries for the Ram PHEV test fleet.

The DOE grant will expedite the development of vehicle-electrification technology. More than 21 Chrysler Group partners across the U.S., including utility companies, government agencies and Universities will independently test the Ram PHEV and provide valuable data for the advancement of the technology.

In 2008, Chrysler Group announced the company’s intention to bring a Ram Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) to market. After closely evaluating the response to hybrid pickups in the marketplace, the company could not formulate an appropriate business case and has decided to cancel development work on the 2011 Ram HEV.

Chrysler Group’s alliance with Fiat Group brings new platforms and technologies that allow the company to create an improved long-term product strategy with greater fuel efficiency and reduced emissions. Chrysler Group’s five-year plan has an uncompromising product schedule, including a progressive vehicle electrification strategy.

The range’s out-going 75bhp MultiJet unit is being replaced with a more potent but also more environmentally-friendly 95bhp ‘MultiJet II’ version, which not only boasts improved mpg and CO2 emissions figures, but also incorporates Fiat’s acclaimed Start&Stop technology to further reduce fuel consumption when driving around town. The engine will become the most powerful diesel unit available in the A segment.

The new unit introduces an innovative variable geometry turbocharger that enables it to deliver 95bhp at 4000rpm and 200Nm of torque at only 1500rpm. This output significantly improves the car’s performance, taking its top speed to 112mph (from 103mph) and reducing the 0-62mph acceleration time from 12.5 to just 10.7 seconds.

Fuel consumption is improved from 67.3mpg to 72.4mpg in the combined cycle, while emissions drop to 104g/km of CO2 (from 110g/km). Together with Start&Stop, the engine also includes a DPF particulate filter for improved emissions efficiency and effectiveness from a cold start.

“This remarkable new diesel engine will add even greater excitement to the fantastic 500 range, but without adding to the cost of ownership,” says Andrew Humberstone, managing director, Fiat Group Automobiles UK Ltd. “In fact, with greater fuel economy and lower emissions, everyone will benefit from this new variant.”

The one-make series, featuring Abarth’s potent new 500 Assetto Corse race cars, has proved a remarkable success on the International race calendar following a superb 2009 season in Europe. Details for the UK series – dubbed Trofeo Abarth 500 GB – are currently being finalised, but are expected to feature in top race meetings at some of Britain’s best-known circuits next year.

Ivan Gibson, head of Abarth UK, and race driver Adam Jones, who won the UK round of the European Trofeo at Brands Hatch, Kent, this year, formally launched the programme to a large gathering of team owners, dealers, drivers and sponsors, who came to see and test the first six Assetto Corse cars delivered to the UK.

Despite changeable weather, the test drivers managed to make the most of Silverstone’s small but demanding Stowe circuit to give the new cars a thorough shake-down.

The 1368cc 16-valve turbocharged engine in the Abarth 500 Assetto Corse race cars develops 190bhp at 6,500rpm and torque of 300Nm at 3000rpm to give the Assetto Corse – which weighs just 970kg – sparkling performance on the track. A wider track together with suspension and braking modifications add to the car’s impressive road holding and stability.

“This was a fantastic way to launch an exciting new race series in the UK,” said Ivan Gibson. “The event was well supported by interested drivers and teams, and I am sure we will have a full starting grid of talented entries when the Trofeo Abarth 500 GB takes to the track in earnest next season.”

A full calendar of race meetings featuring Trofeo Abarth 500 GB races will be announced soon.

More details regarding the Trofeo GB series can be found here: Trofeo Abarth 500 GB, Abarthisti.

Fiat will provide BSM with 14,000 cars over the next four years, most of them the award-winning Fiat 500 – Car of the Year 2008 – along with the popular Grande Punto model.

The fleet vehicle is the biggest depiction of the BSM brand, and the introduction of the stylish Fiat 500 design is intended to appeal to new learners by echoing the brand’s iconic feel. BSM will start to take delivery of the new fleet this summer and complete the exchange of all fleet by the end of the year.

BSM has a network of 94 UK driving centres from Inverness to Truro and teaches more than 130,000 learners a year. The agreement will make the Fiat 500 even more visible on Britain’s roads – and help Fiat with its plan to target the 500 at the key young drivers market.

BSM is confident that the change of car will give new drivers a superior learning experience, with features including:

• Manoeuvrability – the Fiat 500, with a length of just 3.5 metres and a turning circle of 9.2 metres, is easy to drive and offers exceptional manoeuvrability;
• Safety – the Fiat 500 has more safety features than any other small car and achieved five stars in the tough Euro NCAP crash test programme;
• Environment – the Fiat 500 engine meets the toughest Euro 5 exhaust emissions standards and has improved fuel efficiency when compared with BSM’s previous fleet. The 500′s 1.2-litre 69 bhp engines returns 55.4 mpg on the combined cycle and emits just 119 g/km CO2. The model is also available with eco:Drive which analyses driving styles and helps drivers use less fuel;
• Visibility – the Fiat 500 model also offers greater visibility than the previous fleet, with a smaller dashboard and larger wing mirrors.

The new partnership will include a special offer for learner drivers wishing to purchase a Fiat once they have passed their test. The car manufacturer is offering an exclusive £500 discount on all new Fiat models to BSM learners, making the range even more accessible and economical for new drivers.

“We believe very strongly that the car we use for our fleet is the strongest depiction of our brand so it was of the utmost importance for us to find a car that shares both the heritage of BSM and the brand’s modern outlook and appeal,” says Abu Shafi, managing director, BSM.

“We feel that the partnership of BSM with the Fiat 500 has a great synergy and we are looking forward to introducing such an iconic fleet with an improved learning experience.”

“This fantastic new agreement puts an award-winning car alongside the best-known driving school in the UK, and I am delighted we are involved in it,” says Andrew Humberstone, managing director, Fiat Group Automobiles UK. “This puts us right where we want to be – in the High Streets of Britain’s towns and cities, demonstrating to new motorists the delights of driving a new Fiat.”

BSM previously partnered with Vauxhall who provided over 3,500 of their Corsa and Astra models to the company. The new deal will include the Fiat 500 and Grande Punto model for disabled learners.