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Abarth 595/695 Takes Home Best Cars "Mini Cars/Import" For Sixth Time:

Abarth 595/695 Takes Home Best Cars “Mini Cars/Import” For Sixth Time:​

Germans Love The Mini Performance Car...​


Abarth-595-3-scaled.jpeg


For the sixth consecutive time, the Abarth 595/695 performance models have been named “Best Car” in the Mini Cars/Import category by the German automotive magazine, Auto Motor und Sport. The “Best Car” award winners are chosen by readers of the magazine to indicate their favorite cars on the German market. More than 101,000 readers cast … (read full article...)

 
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bill burke

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Do I dare? Should I? What the heck! I believe Fiat really screwed up it’s return to the US market and launching with just the 500 was a mistake. But, big but, now I believe this new 500 needs to be returned to our market, it’s too good not to be given a shot. In addition, more Fiat models must be offered just to get a broader range of people in the showroom. Alfa Romeo must go to Maserati dealerships so that Fiat can focus solely on Fiat. This 500 is really special and I think enough Americans can be drawn to it, not by the charming, witty marketing of the past, but by concentrating this launch on the technology, outstanding ergonomics, value and common sense attributes, basic stuff. Only one way to overcome the embarrasment, the mistakes, relaunch and do it right this time. My gut says this 500 is too good not to try again. Play it again Sam.
 

TripleT

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Do I dare? Should I? What the heck! I believe Fiat really screwed up it’s return to the US market and launching with just the 500 was a mistake. But, big but, now I believe this new 500 needs to be returned to our market, it’s too good not to be given a shot. In addition, more Fiat models must be offered just to get a broader range of people in the showroom. Alfa Romeo must go to Maserati dealerships so that Fiat can focus solely on Fiat. This 500 is really special and I think enough Americans can be drawn to it, not by the charming, witty marketing of the past, but by concentrating this launch on the technology, outstanding ergonomics, value and common sense attributes, basic stuff. Only one way to overcome the embarrasment, the mistakes, relaunch and do it right this time. My gut says this 500 is too good not to try again. Play it again Sam.

Yeap sell it at every CDJR in good standing and it outsell the 300, there are enough college age females and city center people that would still love the car. The 50E for sure for return.
 

patfromigh

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Someone should point out this Youtube channel to the executives at Stellantis. The California compliance 500e is a car that FCA was forced to build and sell. The car had give away lease deals at times and only enough cars were placed into the public's hands to satisfy regulators. Somehow this Fiat is achieving cult status. The attractive prices of the off-lease cars has drawn tech-heads eager to get their hands dirty. Young people watch these videos and get inspired. Young people are the future, not old guys like me who live in a senior complex where the grim reaper has a reserved parking spot.

OK, this video and channel might not be your cup of tea, but it uncovers a world beyond Auburn Hills.
 

Neuronurse71

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Anyone who has owned an Abarth, knows what a mistake it was to remove them from the United States. It’s the most fun you can have driving!
I was forced to trade mine when we inherited a newborn and my Abarth wouldn’t fit his car seat, I got a VW Tiguan. Which I hated from day one. I couldn’t wait to get back into another abarth. A year ago I went to get one and was told they no longer sell them here.
Having driven one of the new 595 Competizione and the 695 anniversario in Italy, Just makes me more sure that they should bring the Abarth back to the US… people have no idea what they are missing, it was by far the most fun to drive.
I liked the 695 Anniversario slightly better because of the movable spoiler, which when in the up position makes the car squat when going fast, which makes it feel amazing when going around corners. It’s time to bring them back and focus on their strengths and not quirks. They are cute, but they are also some of the most fun you will ever have driving, they get amazing gas mileage and they go great in the snow!
 

Mopar392

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This is one of the reasons 595/695 should not be stopped but it should be updated to the new 500e platform
 

patfromigh

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This is one of the reasons 595/695 should not be stopped but it should be updated to the new 500e platform
With an electric motor or an IC engine? I would love to see what Abarth could do with a battery electric power train. I doubt we'll see another petrol fueled vehicle sold under the Fiat brand around here in the future. My guess is the non-Jeep A and B segment offerings for our market will be battery electrics sold under the Fiat brand with some larger badge engineered products, such as the upcoming the Dodge Hornet, also imported from Europe.
 

Bili

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Electric Abarth 500 will come to Europe very soon.
 

Mopar392

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With an electric motor or an IC engine? I would love to see what Abarth could do with a battery electric power train. I doubt we'll see another petrol fueled vehicle sold under the Fiat brand around here in the future. My guess is the non-Jeep A and B segment offerings for our market will be battery electrics sold under the Fiat brand with some larger badge engineered products, such as the upcoming the Dodge Hornet, also imported from Europe.
IC or PHEV. I’m not a fan of pure electric cars just yet.
 

TripleT

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but it works for the 500 as it has good range and is primarily is city car
 

Bili

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@TripleT

Yes, we agree. 500 is a city car. But how many people in US understand concept of a city car?
 

TripleT

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about half the population. Those who live in the Large Metros and College campuses where parking is tight and at a premium. The people who need to catch up are the marketing people.
 

patfromigh

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@TripleT

Yes, we agree. 500 is a city car. But how many people in US understand concept of a city car?
Not enough to have the Fiat brand under its own separate dealerships, like it was setup originally. Now that Fiat doesn't need a separate showroom, I believe the new 500e can be imported profitably. I also think an Abarth with the Action trim's spartan dashboard, but with a better interior, would be a success here. It must have more power than what the top trim offers with 300km of range.

The people who live in a proper environment for a city car will understand the city car concept. Unfortunately, those proper environments aren't where anyone is putting the charging stations in America. Most of the charging infrastructure is being placed in the outer ring suburbs and along interstate highways.
 

TripleT

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CDJR ...or at least those in good standing is critical on cars with such low pure margin. The boutique model even failed with Mini. Not sure why or how anyone was convinced that would work, I said that even at the time.

CIty centers are more likely to mandate the infrastructure changes.
 

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