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http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/2/AmericanFlag.jpg Fiat's microcar is headed to the United States. (http://www.wired.com/autopia/2009/06/fiat-500/)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/2009_Fiat_500s.jpgChuck Squatriglia - WIRED (http://www.wired.com) - June 2, 2009

Something good is coming out of the Chrysler mess. --Ed.

Hallelujah! The first child born of the Fiat-Chrysler marriage arrives in just 18 months when the Italian automaker brings the awesome 500 to the United States.

Better yet, Fiat has no plans to significantly change the sweet microcar before rolling it into Chrysler showrooms. The way Fiat sees it, the 500 - which perfectly updates the adorable Cinquecento - could take a big bite out of the market Mini has carved for retrocars.

“The Fiat 500 — we see that, like the Mini, as a sort of a boutique car that we think we can sell in good numbers on the East and West coasts in the same way that Mini has been successful in the U.S.... http://www.wired.com/autopia/2009/06/fiat-500/

If Honda screws up the CR-Z or over prices it. The 500 will be on my shopping list in Abarth SS trim. :)

If Honda screws up the CR-Z or over prices it. The 500 will be on my shopping list in Abarth SS trim. :)

Jeremy Clarkson seemed to like it... ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXALDprqcuc

Can you say "adorable"?!

I like how the car looks. Now we'll see if they actually keep the European engine options or give bigger engines like most companies do when they bring cars over here.

If the car is going up against a Toyota Prius only to be used for a comuter car, then the Fiat should win on cost alone. I only hope that Fiat has worked to remove the old impressions of their quality. I remember jokes in my high school autoshop class about F I A T meaning Fix It Again Tony. Apparently, Jeremy Clarkson likes it and he is no lover of small cars.

I like the look of this small car. Now I hope it arrives in the US with a 5 or 6 speed with a small engine, not a Hemi.

Fiats still seems to have a questionable quality and dealership reputation in Europe, but from what I have read, it is improving. Still, the 500 is a beauty. I had read somewhere that we would get the 1.4, but that's probably as much rumor as fact right now.

We never had problems with our Fiat's when I was a kid. Learned to drive on a 850 Coupe.

that's a fiery little car!

Now I hope it arrives in the US with a 5 or 6 speed with a small engine, not a Hemi.

I guess this will be a clue as to whether Fiat/Chrysler makes it...

I like the look of this small car. Now I hope it arrives in the US with a 5 or 6 speed with a small engine, not a Hemi.

Oh come on now, they could dust off that old 426 hemi and put it in it and hey one fast car!!!:rolleyes: lol kevin

The Ford Escort 2.0 L SPI is *technically* a hemi. Then new Escorts (97-02) have a partial Hemi, the older ones a full hemi.