Fiat 500: US Spec Fiat 500 revealed in LA

U.S. Spec Fiat 500 revealed at the Los Angeles Motor Show

It would have been completely unthinkable just a few years ago; a small Fiat not just entering the US market but doing so amid much domestic anticipation and razzmatazz. But it’s happened – the car buyers of America have been introduced to the Fiat 500 at the Los Angeles Motor Show.

Fiat has been busy showing the US the Fiat 500 for the last eighteen months, but the car American car buyers will actually get – and which is being built in Mexico – has a number of changes deemed necessary to cater to the sensibilities of the average car buyer.

It seems Fiat don’t think that Americans want a proper Fiat 500, they just like the idea of running around in a chic European compact as long as it feels ‘merican – or at least that what Chrysler seems to have told Fiat. So the US-spec 500 gets soggy suspension and a reinforced body (no, we will refrain from comment), bigger cup holders, bigger seats, bigger tank and a beefier HVAC system.

There’s also the choice of just one engine – Fiat’s 1.4 litre MultAir – which can be had in Pop, Sport or Lounge spec and comes with a five-speed manual ‘box as standard. But this is the US-Spec Fiat 500, so there’s also a six-speed auto on offer

Is the capitulation to the perceived desires of the American car buyer necessary, or a mistake? Are Fiat shooting themselves in the foot by making the US Fiat 500 fit the stereotypical US car buyer when the real demographic for the Fiat 500 in the States is anything but stereotypical?

They’ll find out soon enough

By Cars UK