Fiat and Gucci introduce the new “500C by Gucci” cabriolet with an innovative European tour

FIAT 500C by GUCCI

TURIN : August 2, 2011 - On the wave of the remarkable interest attracted by “500 by Gucci” - 3000 pre-orders logged on the www.500bygucci.com website and requests from all over the world - Fiat and Gucci introduce the “500C by Gucci”, a cabriolet version once again customised by Gucci Creative Director Frida Giannini in collaboration with the Centro Stile Fiat.

Orders will start in August. The car will be distributed worldwide and from September will be on display in selected Italian Fiat showrooms. It will have a price tag of 20,000 euros. Furthermore, as from 19 August, “500C by Gucci” will be the star of an original tour that will stop at some of the most famous places in Europe.

All the exclusivity of the “500 by Gucci” - attention to detail, feeling of elegance and style - is enhanced in this new version, and made even more attractive by the innovative electric soft top for opening a "window onto the sky".

The new convertible version will be available in two sophisticated body colours: white with matte chrome-plated elements and glossy black with shiny chrome-plated accents. For both, the soft top is black with the characteristic green-red-green Gucci web pattern printed lengthwise (the same graphic pattern is sported on the side of the car). Furthermore, the side pillars of the saloon version are maintained and with its special sliding electric top the Fiat “500C by Gucci” can be enjoyed all year round.

The exterior of the Fiat “500C by Gucci” is embellished by 16" alloy wheels characterised by the unmistakable retro design of the spokes, in perfect harmony with the exterior colours: an absolute first for cars in this category. The hub caps have a double "G" logo in matching body colour and the Gucci signature in italics is displayed on the tailgate and on the door pillar.

The passenger compartment of the Fiat 500 by Gucci also brims with style: stylish stitching, exclusive materials, satin and polished chrome-plated elements, a velvet-effect finish on the radio panel and two-tone Frau leather seats with Guccissima print. The “Gucci” web theme also appears on the seats, gearbox, key cover, mats and, with an innovative finish, on the seat belts.

Fiat “500C by Gucci” will of course come complete with a great deal of standard equipment: automatic climate control system, seven airbags (front, side, window and knee), Blue&Me system integrated with rear parking sensors, car radio with CD-MP3 player and leather steering wheel with radio controls.

Before debuting in showrooms in August the “500C by Gucci” will be the star of an original tour that will stop at some of the most charming locations in Europe. The first stop will be at Saint Tropez (from19 to 27 August) followed by Berlin (8 - 14 September), Barcelona (25 September - 2 October), London (16 - 23 October) and Geneva (23 - 30 October). In Italy, the tour will start from Forte dei Marmi (22 - 28 August) and then reach Rome (4 - 11 September), Florence (19 - 26 September) and Milan (8 - 16 October).

A striking 5-by-5 metre crystal cube with elegant shiny black lacquered bottom and top will be set up for each stage of the tour. Inside, set like a precious jewel, an example of the exclusive cabriolet will be on show. At night, the installation will light up creating a suggestive atmosphere that will further enhance the elegant car and the prestigious location. The stage is completed by three small showcases displaying some of the articles in the “500 by Gucci” collection, which comprises travel accessories, small leather goods, track suits, bomber jackets, driving gloves, eyewear and a watch.

Like the saloon version before, an original advertising campaign has been created for the Fiat “500C by Gucci” in which the car features next to model Natasha Poly. The selected Fiat dealerships that will be displaying the “500C by Gucci” will receive copies of an exclusive lifestyle brochure created as a fashion catalogue and designed to bring out the class and one-of-a-kind nature of this extraordinary interpretation of the glamorous world of 500 in artistic photographs.

Images : FIAT 500C by GUCCI

    

    

  

[Source : FIAT]

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The exclusive Fiat 500 “First Edition” made by five Chinese artists in just 100 numbered units disembarks in China

Fiat 500 "First Edition"

SHANGHAI : July 12, 2011 - Lorenzo Sistino, Fiat Group Automobiles Executive Vice President International Operations, presented the Fiat 500 "First Edition" made exclusively for the Chinese market and embellished by the creative graphics of five young Chinese designers, earlier today in Shanghai.

Shangri-La by Mee Wong

This Limited Edition - 100 numbered units - will be featuring in an original initiative ahead of the official launch of the 500 on September 15. Everyone who places an order for a Fiat 500 from July 12 to September 15 will take part in a final draw entitling them to replace the car they ordered with a Fiat 500 "First Edition".

"The start of the pre-order stage is a fundamental stage for the 500 launch in China and will mark an important step forward in the joint project of Fiat and GAC", declared Lorenzo Sistino. "The objective of the 500 is to position our brand on this market because it is the model that best expresses the values of Fiat".

Life by Nod Young

Based on the 500 Lounge, the "First Edition" has a special three-coat pearlescent white body colour, red leather interiors and a special badge on the door pillar. Under the bonnet, it fits a 1.4 litre MultiAir, the petrol engine that won the "The International Engine of the Year Award 2010". Combined with an automatic six-speed transmission, the innovative engine delivers a top power of 101 HP (75 kW) at 6500 rpm and a torque of 133 Nm at 4000 rpm.

The real particularity of the Fiat 500 "First Edition" is its special livery, as Lorenzo Sistino explained. "The 'First Edition' is a special offer exclusively created for Chinese customers and represents a symbol that joins our two cultures. Not by chance, we asked five young Chinese artists to interpret the relationship between our two countries in a creative, original manner, and to fashion a tribute for the launch of the 500 in China.

Fairy Tale by Tail Leilei

The 500 will have many versions and special series, in addition to the 100 "First Edition" models. Next year we will be launching the 500C convertible and the exclusive "500 by Gucci" special series.

The Fiat 500 is the first important step of Fiat in this great market: by the end of 2012 we will have launched a new saloon made entirely in China at the plant in Changsha with our partner GAC".

Follow your instinct by Benny Luk

In detail, the five exclusive high-impact designs on the sides of the car cleverly symbolise the bonds between Italy and China. The first designer is Leilei, an avant-garde artist who has won many important awards in China and in other countries. Use of elements from national popular culture is predominant in his works. The second young designer is Mee Wong, illustrator and teacher at the Guangzhou Art Institute. Her favourite creative element is the panda, the animal which symbolises Chinese culture. Asian tradition is again the inspiration for the third artist, Benny Luk, an award-winning designer of international fame, who combines graphics and web design. Next is Nod Young, a visual artist with a unique style whose artwork has been exhibited in many countries, including the UK, Germany, the USA, Italy, South Africa and China. Drawing and illustration master Yan Wei completes the line-up. She employs traditional Chinese patterns and her works have been displayed in some of the most famous art galleries of Shanghai, Beijing, New York and Tokyo.

Surprise by Yan Wei

Made in Toluca (Mexico), the Fiat 500 marketed in China has an entry-level price of 190,000 RMB. The range includes three trim levels (Pop, Sport and Lounge), one engine version (1.4 MultiAir 101 HP), an automatic six-speed transmission, 12 body colours (metallic, non-metallic and three-coat pearlescent), 9 colour-material combinations for upholstery and two interior environments (black or ivory). In brief, this amazing A-segment four-seater ensures a great handling experience and unprecedented feeling with its ideal city size, its thrilling driving dynamics, its brand-new 1.4 litre MultiAir engine, its innovative Blue&Me hands-free communication system and seven airbags as standard.

[Source : FIAT]

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Chrysler prepares to build small car that may increase Fiat stake

DETROIT : June 24, 2011 - Chrysler Group LLC said it plans to begin test production in the second half of this year of the small car that will trigger U.S. government requirements to increase Fiat SpA (F)’s ownership stake.


Tooling for the small Dodge brand car goes into Chrysler’s Belvidere, Illinois, assembly plant in August, Fred Goedtel, head of Chrysler’s assembly operations, said in an interview this week in Sterling Heights, Michigan.

“We’ll start pilots in the fall” and official production begins “sometime” in the first quarter, he said.

Design work on the car, which is the vehicle Chrysler expects will trigger the final government ownership milestone, is done, Ralph Gilles, head of Chrysler design, said in an interview in Chelsea, Michigan, yesterday. “The company is really focused on it,” he said of the vehicle.

Turin, Italy-based Fiat is consolidating control over Chrysler. Fiat is buying the U.S. Treasury Department’s final stake in the U.S. automaker, acquired as part of Chrysler’s 2009 bankruptcy reorganization. That purchase will raise Fiat’s stake to 52 percent on a fully diluted basis. Chrysler must test and commit to building a vehicle in the U.S. that achieves 40 mpg to gain another 5 percent stake.

Its deal with the U.S. and Canada allowed Fiat to gain as much as 35 percent in Chrysler without paying cash in exchange for giving management experience and technology to Chrysler and achieving various performance milestones. The 40 mpg vehicle is the final such milestone.

Fiat also exercised an option to purchase 16 percent of the Auburn Hills, Michigan-based company after Chrysler repaid the U.S. and Canadian government loans in May.
Sergio Marchionne, chief executive officer of both automakers, has said he expects Fiat will get its final 5 percent tied to the 40 mpg car by year’s end. The small Dodge car is being based on Fiat’s Alfa Romeo Giulietta technology, Marchionne has said.

Gilles said the new Dodge model’s name was decided earlier this week. He declined to provide the name.

[Source : BLOOMBERG]

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