General 2012 Spec and Price Increases?

[ffxmy]

Does anyone have details about upcoming 500 spec changes. I've seen the thread about the new TwinAir trim but what about the rest of the range? Given talk of a 500 facelift due to be released in 2012, will Fiat improve the standard spec for the run out cars ahead of the facelift?

What about ESP? I read somewhere about a new European regulation that requires all new cars to have ESP by 2012. Not sure if that refers to new cars or new models. If new models then given the 500 was released in 2007 I don't think standard fit ESP will be required.

What about prices? Is an increase due any time soon?

 

[306maxi]

there will be no runout models. The 500 sells well enough as it is and more likely than not, people will prefer the look of the current car to any facelift model.

 

[Murano16v]

there will be no runout models. The 500 sells well enough as it is and more likely than not, people will prefer the look of the current car to any facelift model.

From what we read though, it doesn't sell quite as well as Fiat would like. The now very old Panda still outsells it roughly 2 to 1 in Italy. Hope they get the next Panda right, but spy pics so far don't look great.
I like the look of the US 500 Sport, which might well be how the European 500 gets facelifted, but to be honest the whole Fiat range needs a kick up the ar*e.

 

[loveshandbags]

there will be no runout models. The 500 sells well enough as it is and more likely than not, people will prefer the look of the current car to any facelift model.

We could get a Fiat 500 MYLIFE with free Air con thrown in .

In fact looking at the US 500 it is likely that we could end up in the same situation as MINI with the old and new. Initially it took a trained eye to spot the differences. Personally I prefer the look of the old one which may explain why the '06 models are holding their value. It was a shame that the '06 Cooper S only had the thirsty Supercharged engine - or may it wasn't - because I wouldn't have bought the 500 1.4 Sport.

 

[306maxi]

From what we read though, it doesn't sell quite as well as Fiat would like. The now very old Panda still outsells it roughly 2 to 1 in Italy. Hope they get the next Panda right, but spy pics so far don't look great.
I like the look of the US 500 Sport, which might well be how the European 500 gets facelifted, but to be honest the whole Fiat range needs a kick up the ar*e.

I suspect you're somewhat right. The dealer where we bought our 500 from no longer sells Fiat's. I suspect they got rid of the franchise.

 

[loveshandbags]

I suspect you're somewhat right. The dealer where we bought our 500 from no longer sells Fiat's. I suspect they got rid of the franchise.

The dealer I went to yesterday who dealt in Fiats & Alfas -> then only Alfas (dropped Fiat) has now taken on Chevrolet and is 'snowed under' - or at least that was his excuse for not getting back to me.

 

[Murano16v]

I noticed my local Fiat dealer had several non-Fiats on their forecourt, something I've never seen them do before.

Interestingly Alfa are on the up, albeit in a small way. According to Italiaspeed, for every three cars Fiat sold in May Alfa sold one, which is quite surprising.

I think the Fiat group are missing the trick with the new Lancia Ypsilon, much better to sell it through Fiat and forget the stupid Chrysler branding.

 

[ffxmy]

...The 500 sells well enough as it is...

I'm not convinced. If lilrachiebaby89 can get her car in 5 weeks from placing the order then perhaps the demand isn't as strong as it once was. The state of the economy can't be helping either. Also judging by the search I had a dealer do last week for new Sport and byDiesels cars, there are a lot of cars sat in dealerships around the country waiting for someone to buy them. I was surprised to find there were still 2 byDiesel dualogic cars showing on the computer. Not very scientific I know but searching on autotrader for cars < 1 year and < 5000 miles returns 282 cars...

 

[nicks500]

I'm not convinced. If lilrachiebaby89 can get her car in 5 weeks from placing the order then perhaps the demand isn't as strong as it once was.

She may of been lucky and got a car that was nearly completed, I ordered mine one the 22nd of April and I have a couple more weeks to wait I have been told

 

[loveshandbags]

I noticed my local Fiat dealer had several non-Fiats on their forecourt, something I've never seen them do before.

Interestingly Alfa are on the up, albeit in a small way. According to Italiaspeed, for every three cars Fiat sold in May Alfa sold one, which is quite surprising.

I think the Fiat group are missing the trick with the new Lancia Ypsilon, much better to sell it through Fiat and forget the stupid Chrysler branding.

Totally agree.
http://www.mcguiganmotors.com/
This is an example of a country dealer (happens to have a 'rally' A500SS) for sale. Seeing a lot of Chrysler brands puts me off. It will also dilutes the knowledge of the sales / service staff. One particular large reputable dealer in North county Dublin that I was dealing with on a Scrappage 500 didn't know his stuff and it was frustrating working with him particuarily when he was getting his pricing wrong. I'm not really a fan of the Lancia Ypsilson but there has to be a better way. In the US it's Chrysler letting Fiat in the back door and 'here' it's the reverse. I suppose you cann't really blame them. Everyone has to do what they have to do to stay in business.

 

[306maxi]

I'm not convinced. If lilrachiebaby89 can get her car in 5 weeks from placing the order then perhaps the demand isn't as strong as it once was. The state of the economy can't be helping either. Also judging by the search I had a dealer do last week for new Sport and byDiesels cars, there are a lot of cars sat in dealerships around the country waiting for someone to buy them. I was surprised to find there were still 2 byDiesel dualogic cars showing on the computer. Not very scientific I know but searching on autotrader for cars < 1 year and < 5000 miles returns 282 cars...

The time between ordering and getting the car isn't necessarily indicative of demand.

 

[306maxi]

I noticed my local Fiat dealer had several non-Fiats on their forecourt, something I've never seen them do before.

Interestingly Alfa are on the up, albeit in a small way. According to Italiaspeed, for every three cars Fiat sold in May Alfa sold one, which is quite surprising.

I think the Fiat group are missing the trick with the new Lancia Ypsilon, much better to sell it through Fiat and forget the stupid Chrysler branding.

I agree.

I'm hoping that our next car will be a Giulietta Need to get a job first though

 

[SiliconS]

there will be no runout models.

people will prefer the look of the current car to any facelift model.

Do you have a reliable source for these facts? :idea:

 

[306maxi]

Do you have a reliable source for these facts? :idea:

When it comes to retro models people generally don't like facelifts. I wouldn't be surprised if there is perhaps a sportier body for the Twinair model, but I really doubt they'll change to the US body shape.

 

[SiliconS]

When it comes to retro models people generally don't like facelifts. I wouldn't be surprised if there is perhaps a sportier body for the Twinair model, but I really doubt they'll change to the US body shape.

Oh, I dunno - the MINI seems to enjoy strong sales, even after a couple of facelifts.

What makes you think Fiat aren't planning a facelift? I'd bet a facelift is on the cards to keep us fans wanting the latest model. (Yes I'm cynical. )

 

[Super Uwe]

When it comes to retro models people generally don't like facelifts. I wouldn't be surprised if there is perhaps a sportier body for the Twinair model, but I really doubt they'll change to the US body shape.

Hmm...you've just reminded me of this thread which was brought up a few weeks ago:

https://www.fiatforum.com/500/270251-so-11-models-reduced-8-new-models.html

If the content of the first post is true then maybe we will see some changes in the next few weeks?

Watch this space!

 

[RobinPJ]

Oh, I dunno - the MINI seems to enjoy strong sales, even after a couple of facelifts.

What makes you think Fiat aren't planning a facelift? I'd bet a facelift is on the cards to keep us fans wanting the latest model. (Yes I'm cynical. )

I think you may be arguing against yourself - the facelifted BMW MINI is almost indistinguishable from the original BMW one.

 

[loveshandbags]

I think you may be arguing against yourself - the facelifted BMW MINI is almost indistinguishable from the original BMW one.

Maybe you have got a 'trained' eye.

 

[ffxmy]

https://www.fiatforum.com/500/270251-so-11-models-reduced-8-new-models.html

If the content of the first post is true then maybe we will see some changes in the next few weeks?

Watch this space!

Interesting Super Uwe - I wonder what sort of "terrible salesman" you are? I was told about the Twinair changes by a Fiat dealer so I'm sure that's true... but is there more? Perhaps when the prices are released there will be more changes too.

Just googling the Twinair I came across a facebook group for the new model with Fernando Alonso sat in one - see http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150185397337398.326024.17184067397

I also came across some spy shots of disguised Fiat 500s which are thought to be facelift cars. The photos appeared last June and the facelift was rumoured to make its debut with the new Twinair engine last September. Obviously that didn't happen... see http://www.eurocarblog.com/post/3212/fiat-500-gets-facelift

 

[FloJo]

I've got possibly a really stupid question - what's the difference between the 85hp TA due out and the one currently available?