Fiat revealed its all-new 500L sub-compact model. The “L” in the name stands for “Large”, with the 500L being the latest addition to the 500 range after the three-door hatch, the Cabrio and the Abarth models. The five-door 500L is based on the platform of the B-segment Punto measuring 4,140mm long, 1,780mm wide and 1,660mm tall. It is 594mm longer, 153mm wider and 175mm taller than the three-door 500.

Fiat says the 500L offers “MPV passenger space combined with the feel of a small SUV on the road and the restrained dimensions and efficiency of a B segment car” and that it’s an alternative to the traditional B and C segments. The 500L is a five-seater model, and Fiat will present a biggest version with seating for seven later this year. Probably, only the 5-seat model will be offered in the States.

The 2013 Fiat 500L will be produced in Kragujevac, Serbia in the last quarter of 2012 with two petrol engines, the two-cylinder TwinAir anda 1.4-liter inline-four, plus a 1.3-liter turbodiesel. U.S. sales of the 500L are expected to start in 2013.

In 2000, General Motors and Fiat formed an alliance in which the GM gained 20 percent of the Fiat’s shares in exchange for 5.1 percent of its own stock. The two companies jointly developed the Gamma platform for B-segment cars that underpinned the 2005 Fiat Punto and the 2007 Opel Corsa.

Sergio Marchionne commented during the Detroit Motor Show that Fiat and Chrysler would be “willing participants” if General Motors wanted to discuss Opel tying up with another manufacturer.

On Monday, Marchionne said that European carmakers should be ready for “another round of consolidation”, fuelling rumors about a possible merger with PSA Peugeot Citroen. Marchionne dismissed the rumors the following day: “I saw (Peugeot CEO) Phillipe Varin last night for dinner, and the topic was not on the table”. He did not, however, completely rule out any tie up, since he added that “We continue to be open to suggestions and opportunities.”

GM vice chairman Steve Girsky who also had dinner with Marchionne said that the Fiat-Chrysler CEO did not discuss the possibility of an Opel tie-up. In any case, Girsky stated that “Opel is not for sale”, adding that GM is “committed to returning our European business to sustained profitability. There’s a lot of work to do.”

A report on the seven worst product flops in the U.S. from 24/7 Wall Street two vehicle introductions, the Chevrolet Volt and the Fiat 500.

The Fiat expected to sell some 50,000 cars during its first year in the States, but he sold fewer than 12,000 from January through July, and that the company ousted its chief Laura Soave this past November. For the record, Fiat sold 15,826 examples of the coupe and the 500C through October.

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The Fiat 500 collected just three stars safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The side-impact test was particularly cruel to the Italian compact, with NHTSA awarding the vehicle two stars in that category – a somewhat surprising result considering that Fiat went to the trouble of redesigning the 500 for U.S. crash test compatibility. The 500 finds itself in the company of the Dodge Caliber and outgoing Ford Escape as the only models tested so far to receive the three-star designation.

Fiat 500 Abarth today arrive in North American showrooms. Today Chrysler Group finally unveiled the American version of the Fiat 500 Abarth. The Fiat 500 Abarth which arriving in Chrysler dealerships will pack an all-new 1.4-liter MultiAir turbocharged four, kept in check by upgraded brakes, handled by a sportier suspension, controlled by a higher level of technology and conveyed by a more aggressive appearance.

The Euro-model Abarth 500 offers up either 130 hp or 160, the latter with the Esse-Esse kit.

The Fiat Group CEO, Sergio Marchionne, admits that his company is facing huge troubles in Europe as in the first nine months of 2011, the company’s sales decreased by 12% compared to the same period last year, with its share in the European market dropping from 8.2% to 7.3%.

Even in its home market of Italy Fiat sales for the first nine months of the year have hit their lowest mark in the past 20 years.

Marchionne does not have any delusions that next year the situation will improve: “2012 will not be a great year for the European market”, he told reporters. “Since 2008, Italy has lost 700,000 cars, which for Fiat means a loss of 210,000 cars. There is no point in looking for new models”, he added.

Today Fiat-Chrysler alliance’s biggest profit contributors are the U.S. and Brazilian markets, and that’s where it will focus its efforts. Marchionne denied, however, reports that Fiat will leave Italy, despite losing money – and fast.

At this point, all of Fiat’s five Italian plants are loss making. The management wants more flexible labor deals and increased productivity, something the worker unions react to, with the FIOM metalworkers’ union organizing a strike on Friday.

“It’s a very bad idea”, commented Marchionne on the strike. “It’s certainly no way to encourage investments in Italy.”

Today Fiat unveiled facelifted version of the Punto supermini. The most interesting change is the two-cylinder MultiAir turbocharged gasoline engine. It’s the same unit used in Fiat’s 500 and Panda, producing 85HP and 145 Nm of torque at 2,000 rpm.

The engine’s technical characteristics and the use of a six-speed gearbox offer performance comparable to poweplants with a bigger displacement, but with lower CO2 emissions. The driver can also choose between “normal” and “eco” driving modes by pushing the ECO button on the dashboard, depending on whether he wants full power or a more fuel-efficient drive.

As variant, he 2012 Fiat Punto gets a second-generation 1.3-liter 16-valve Multijet turbodiesel with 85HP and 200 Nm of torque at just 1,500 rpm. It introduces two new CO2-reducing technologies: Intelligent Alternator, which recharges the battery during engine cut-off, and Intelligent Flow that features a variable displacement oil pump and an optimized cooling circuit.

Fiat also reshuffled the MY 2012 Punto lineup which now comprises of three trim levels, Pop, Easy and Lounge for all engines, plus a dedicated trim level for the TwinAir with a grey and black interior.

Fiat plans to enhance the 500th range with a variety of new models within the next two years. The first new addition to arrive in USA is the Fiat 500 Abarth. The Abarth 500 is powered by a highly-tuned 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder delivering 180HP and 300 Nm of torque.

The diminutive hatchback sports an aggressive bodykit, stiffer suspension, an electronically controlled limited-slip differential, and 17-inch alloy OZ wheels.

The second addition to the range is a pure electric 500 that will be available next year. Fiat has teased the new model with the 500 BEV Concept at the Detroit Motor Show in 2010. The EV 500 is being developed mainly by Chrysler at its Technical Center, which has undertaken all work for electric vehicles in the Fiat Chrysler alliance.

During the presentation of the 500 BEV Concept, the company’s CEO Sergio Marchionne had revealed that it’s price would be double that of the standard 500 at around $32,000, with the battery pack accounting for half of that price.

A fifth addition to the range which at the time will already include a 3-door hatch, the 500C convertible, the sporty Abarth and the zero-emissions EV, will be a five-door crossover model.

Said to be launched in 2013, it will be based on a larger platform, but will still bear the 500 moniker. The high-riding 500 will most likely debut as a concept, at next year’s Geneva Motor Show in March with the production model to be built at new plant in Serbia.

Fiat announced the release of cabrio version of its 500 model that goes by the name “500C by Gucci“. Gucci Studio customized the special edition version of the 500C in collaboration with the Fiat. The chief difference between the two models is that Giannini removed the green-red-green Gucci web pattern from the 500C’s profile and placed it on the car’s electrically operated black top.

The Fiat 500C by Gucci will be available in either white with matte chrome-plated elements or glossy black with shiny chrome-plated accents.

Fiat 500 by Gucci equipped with a 16-inch spoked alloy wheels with a double “G” logo on the hubcaps and Gucci signature in italics displayed on the tailgate and on the door pillar.

The topless model will be available for order soon and month later will be available in some Italian Fiat dealerships. In Italy, the 500C by Gucci will have a price tag of €20,000 (approx. $28,900).