2012 Fiat 500

 The North American model gets electronic power assisted steering and a sport button that changes the electronic throttle's response, and changes the shift schedule on automatics.
Fiat also redesigned the 500's suspension for North America to provide a more nimble, and yet a more comfortable ride. The rear twist beam bushings have been retuned for more roll stiffness. Fiat revised the front suspension geometry, increased the front anti-roll bar's diameter, retuned the springs and twin-tube shocks, added a new structural sub-frame brace, upgraded the upper strut mounts and retuned the control-arm bushings.
The North American 500's new four-wheel antilock brakes have redesigned front calipers, organic brake linings and a new anti-corrosion coating for the rotors. The electronic stability control has been revised for our market's all-season tires, and our fuel tank has been enlarged to 10.5 gallons, for longer driving range.
North American 500s weigh 80 pounds more than European 500s, at 2,350 pounds. The automatic adds another 80 pounds.
As part of Fiat's deal with U.S. Treasury to acquire 20 percent and control of Chrysler, the 500's MultiAir engine is built at Chrysler's GEMA engine plant in Dundee, Michigan. Final assembly of North American-market 500s is at Chrysler's Toluca, Mexico, factory.
The fashionistas that Chrysler hopes will flock to the Fiat 500 as their older brothers and sisters did to the Mini a decade ago will order up the Lounge trim model. It comes with an upgraded interior and, sigh, only a six-speed automatic transmission. Fiat offers no automatic for the 500 in Europe.
Chrysler hopes to select Chrysler/Jeep/Dodge/Ram dealers in 119 U.S. cities with the highest concentration of small car registrations, to sell the 500 as the first new Fiat model here. The Fiat 500 base price will be higher than the new Ford Fiesta ($13,320 base) but will be cheaper than the Mini Cooper ($20,100). Typically equipped Fiestas and Minis sticker for about $18,000 and $25,000+, r