500 estate heads new Fiat boom

Text: Jack Rix / Photos: Poblete

26th April 2010

Never has a dull investor conference yielded such excitement for car fans! Buried in documents outlining a major financial shake-up for the Fiat Group were sensational plans for 34 new models across each of its brands until 2014.

On their way are a BMW M5-rivalling Maserati, new Alfa Spider, and the next Ferrari Enzo.

But leading the charge are two practical new versions of the 500 – a three-door Giardiniera estate and a four-door hatch called the Lungo. Both are expected to make production by the end of 2011.

At the original launch of the 500 in 2007, Fiat bosses confirmed a larger, more family-oriented variant was in the pipeline. But due to financial restraints, it’s been on the back burner ever since.

Now, with the increased clout from its tie-up with Chrysler, Fiat has decided the time has come to introduce something capable of tackling the MINI head-on.While the four-door will allow Fiat to compete with compact MPVs such as the multi-talented new Vauxhall Meriva, the Giardiniera will represent a cheaper and funkier alternative to the MINI Clubman. And as the cars are bigger, Fiat will be able to sell both in the lucrative US market.

Among the core messages at the press conference were Fiat’s intentions to integrate its design and manufacturing processes closely with its new partner, Chrysler. The aim is for a combined output of six million units by 2014.

Focusing on the Fiat brand in particular, the highly successful 500 and 500C will both benefit from a major overhaul in 2012, while an all-new Uno city car is due to go on sale in 2013. A new Panda is scheduled for 2011, while the Punto Evo will be replaced in 2013.

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