1966 Fiat 500 GIANNINI with NASCAR Tony Stewart Decals

Created in the 1930’s by the Giannini brothers Attilio and Domenico, GIANNINI was a tuning and racing firm that specialized on Fiat models. In the early 1960s the Italian company began offering tuning solutions for the iconic Fiat 500. This example that’s for sale on e-Bay here in the States is a 1966 model equipped with a modified 700cc 2-cylinder engine and according to the seller, it’s capable of going up to 100 mph or 160km/h. What make this Fiat 500 Giannini even more special -or less, depending on your point of view, is that it has been covered in NASCAR graphics mimicking Tony Stewart’s race car. -Image gallery after the jump

Link: e-Bay

Design Poll: Fiat 500 vs Ford KA

Our first thought when we saw the 2009 KA was what an excellent job Ford did to disguise the minicar's Fiat 500 origins. Even though Ford’s designers were limited by the architecture of the car, the KA bears no resemblance to its Italian sibling. But different doesn’t necessarily mean better - or does it? What we want to know is if you prefer the Fiat 500’s retro looks or the Ford KA’s modern “Kinetic” design. Yep, it’s a tough question but someone had to ask it. Enlighten us with your answers in the comment section. (Image: CarScoop)

2009 Ford KA to be officially Revealed on Friday – See it on CarScoop

When the clock strikes 12:00 am tonight (that’s Friday, August 1st), Ford will take the wraps off the 2009 KA revealing the first photos of its highly anticipated minicar that’s scheduled to make its global debut at the Paris Motor Show in early October. Since we’ve already seen the front quarter view of the Fiat 500 based KA –no thanks to U.K. sourced leak, what remains to be seen is the rear-end of the car and of course, the interior.

Unless some website or blog decides to do otherwise, we won’t break the embargo by showing you the two remaining pictures of the KA. What we can do though is tell you that Ford won’t be revealing any technical details or any significant information for that matter, on the new KA. (Picture edited by CarScoop)

Fiat Raises Annual Production for 500 Minicar to 200,000 Units

For the second time in a few months, Fiat has hiked production of its ultra successful 500 minicar in order to meet increasing European demand. In a conference call with analysts, Fiat Group’s CEO Sergio Marchionne revealed that production of the 500 minicar at the company Tychy plant in Poland has been boosted to over 200,00 units a year. -Continued

Fiat’s initial plans in 2007 where to sell approximately 120,000 units this year, however high demand saw the Italian carmaker raise the target to 140,000 earlier this year. According to a report from Automotive News, between the 500’s July 2007 introduction and the end of June 2008, Fiat dealers have received 230,000 orders.

Via: ANE (Sub. Req.)

Video: Audi Q7 vs Fiat 500 Crash Test from ADAC

Try to imagine what would happen if a large SUV like the Audi Q7 crashed into a small mini car like the Fiat 500. Not sure? Well, Germany’s automobile club ADAC performed a “David vs Goliath” crash test between the two cars, but unlike the biblical story, David aka the Fiat 500, did not even come close to winning this match.

The two cars collided head on at an average speed of 56 km/h (around 35mph). According to ADAC, whereas the driver and passengers of the Audi Q7 would have made it out of the crash with minor and non life-threatening injuries, the risk of serious injuries in the Fiat 500 was surprisingly high for both front and rear passengers. However despite what you may think, ADAC’s prime objective wasn’t to show that a large SUV is safer than a minicar but to point out that automakers should take smaller sized vehicles into consideration when they design a large size model. –Video after the jump

Via: Motorpasion , Source: ADAC

Nice Micro-Vett e500: All-Electric Fiat 500 Debuts in London

Europe's Car of the Year, the Fiat 500 has obtained an all-electric powertrain thanks to the chaps over at the UK based company Nice that specializes on electric vehicles. Produced to order in Italy by Micro-Vett, the first all-electric 500 will be produced in a limited number of units. Details are still scarce but Nice supports that the e500 is equipped with a lithium-ion polymer battery and that it has a range of around 75 miles or 120 km in typical city driving while its maximum speed is 60 mph or 96 km/h. Nice also says that the e500 comes with the full range of Fiat options and extras along with a full Fiat warranty.

Fiat Creates Special Edition 500 for Ferrari Sales Network

While many carmakers may have thought of an idea like this, few could actually manage to pull it off; provide your smallest and most inexpensive vehicle as a “courtesy car” for the customers of your most prestigious and expensive brand and make it sound totally cool. In particular, Fiat has built 200 special edition 500s exclusively for the Ferrari sales network around Europe –no word yet whether we’ll see the 500s in Ferrari’s North American network.

The special edition model is based on the 500 Sport version and is distinguished by the traditional Ferrari red color, the aluminum sporty pedal set, the red brake calipers, special black steering wheel with red stitching and 16” alloy wheels with 195/45 tires. Furthermore, the Fiat 500 specials that are equipped with a 100Hp 1.4-litre engine boast a specially tuned exhaust system.-Continued

Compared to standard Sport version, the Fiat 500 customized for Ferrari also has automatic climate control, electric sunroof, Frau leather interior, a hi-end stereo systme, fog lights, numbered plate on the dashboard and “Limited Edition” wording on the kick plate.

Video: Fiat 500 Abarth Race Track Driving & Beauty Shots

The new 500 Abarth, which was first introduced at the 78th Geneva Motor show earlier this year, is due to go on sale from July 19 in Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Greece, France and the Netherlands. Aside from the base 135Hp version, Fiat has also introduced a limited production variant called “Opening Edition” that squeezes 160Hp from the 1.4-liter turbocharged engine (click here for details and 42 high res images). Follow the jump to see the video that includes driving footage on the race track as well as exterior and interior shots. -Continued

Exclusive: Fiat 500 Abarth Opening Edition with 160Hp plus 42 High-Res Images

If the standard Fiat 500 Abarth with its 135Hp strong 1.4-liter turbocharged engine doesn’t do the trick then you ought to take a look at the “500 Abarth Opening Edition” that will be produced in a limited number of units with the Italian market receiving just 100 cars.

First of all, the 500 Abarth Opening Edition is fitted with a revised version of the stock 1.4-liter turbo engine that produces 160Hp at 5750 rpm and a maximum torque of 230 Nm at 3000 rpm. Combined with a 5-speed gearbox the Opening Edition can go from 0 to 100km/h (62mph) in just 7.4 sec and on to a top speed of 211 km/h (131mph). That’s compared to the standard 500 Abarth’s 7.9 sec & 205 km/h.

Other mechanical upgrades include the adoption of front and rear perforated disc brakes, high performance front brake pads, a special ‘powered by BMC’ air filter, special low springs and 17" alloys painted white or titanium complete with 205/40 R16 ZR 17 Pirelli Pzero Nero tires. -Continued

On the outside, the 500 Abarth Opening Edition is distinguished by the red brake callipers and privacy windows. Inside, distinctive features include leather upholstery, a plate with the car serial number on the central tunnel, two aluminium badges bearing the wording ‘500 Abarth Opening Edition’ positioned on the faring while the gear knob is in glossy anodised aluminium with red engraved gears. Other features unique to the 500 Abarth Opening Edition include a grey or white fuel cap and key cover.

Buyers can choose between two colours (Campovolo grey or pearlised White) while there’s also the option of special stickers including a red chequered flag on the roof (exclusive to the Campovolo Grey shade) that pays homage to the numerous sporting victories of the Abarth brand. Finally, just to make it a tad more special, Fiat delivers the car with a cover bearing a period Abarth 595 design.