Rumor has it that FIAT planned to cooperate with Mercedes and Renault.
Here by would the Smart's ForTwo en ForFour be the base for the next Gen FIAT 500, 3-door and 500 5-Door models, both with the engine in the back.



How real this rumor is will the future tell. (Car Magazine)
FIAT could fit there own new Firefly 3 cilinder engine in it, with and without turbo.

Hans, isn't this by any chance one of your Photoshop projects based on the picture below?

I wish.
This should be in Car Magazine, can't find it online as off yet.

Can't see why they'd base the next 500 on a Smart when they currently use the Panda platform. A different platform for the 500 reduces volumes on the most expensive part of the body structure, so making both cars more expensive to build.

No reason the Panda couldn't use the Smart/ Twingo platform along with the 500?

I'd sell UFI for a RWD Abarth.

UFI said:

No reason the Panda couldn't use the Smart/ Twingo platform along with the 500?

I'd sell UFI for a RWD Abarth.

Click to expand...

A rear engine robs a lot of luggage space. Can't see that working for a Panda.

I had a 500 and now I have Twingo, so I think I can compare... Although on paper Twingo has much smaller boot, in footprint size it is very similar. So unless you are transporting duvets, pillows or other squishable materials, in real life it doesn't make much difference. I still do the same weekly shop and bags fit just fine in both. Advantage for Twingo, for me, is the absence of lip on the boot so its easier to slide things in or out

And, I believe that if you go to say, Ikea, the rear seats fold flush with the boot floor, and the front passenger seat backrest folds forward. Great for loading large boxes. I know not everyone would appreciate this feature, but if it can be done on the Twingo (and the 500X I have now) let's hope the next 500 has it.