Benvenuti amici!
Being a fan of the FIAT brand, in North America, can be tough. Yes, we have available to us what many would say is the best of the new breed of Italian city cars. Yes, the Dodge Journey is upgraded/rebadged/sold, in Europe, as a FIAT Freemont. Yes, we drive the same 500L as is available in Europe. But that is it. Unless you have the money to import & drive the other cars in the modern FIAT stable or own one of the classic variety, the common FIAT fan only has the FIAT 500, the 500L and the not-really-a-FIAT Dodge Journey.
Luckily, the 500 is selling well enough on our shores and FIAT has deemed it worthwhile to offer a variety of special edition Cinquecentos here. Most of them will be or are, now, available for purchase. Some are meant to give us something to which to aspire. All are special in their own respect. But I am preaching to the choir. If you're reading this blog, you already know this. Let's take a look, just the same...
The early/introductory edition which officially announced FIAT landing on our shores. Enter the "new wave of immigrants". Welcome to the party!
Limited to 250, this is the extremely rare North American 500 which supported an equally important cause. FIAT & the Breast Cancer Research Foundation joined energies to put this edition into production.
The FIAT Abarth 500 seemed a lot more like a special edition FIAT when first introduced. The local studios had one or two demos consumers could test drive. If you wanted to own one, you ordered it to your aesthetic and convenience specs. Since then, it would appear FIAT makes available, to studios, a certain allotment to order. Of course, consumers can still order the mighty mouse to their specs. Not nearly as rare as they once were but just as special as they have ever been. Nothing looks or sounds quite like it.
The FIAT 500 + 500c by Gucci enjoys a lot more exclusivity than the Abarth 500. Neither studio nor consumer may order this rarified version of the Cinquecento at will. It was introduced as a pre-order item and, now, seems to be allotted to studios as a better-than-average-sales reward. If you have never seen one up close and personal, you owe it to yourself to do so. The interior is inspired, the cabrio top adds an extra level of chic and the metal flaked [nero] paint gives it that extra wow factor.
The FIAT 500 Sport Turbo was introduced as a blank canvas for consumers interested in modifications. It fits, and is priced, perfectly between the 500 Sport & the Abarth 500. It is available in colors not available to the Abarth ~ but it is not available in every color available to the standard 500. The 'blacked-out' head/taillights are the star of the show with this Cinquino.
These concept cars were introduced in tandem with the FIAT Custom Shop. They set the FIAT-USA world on fire with their cutting design and absolutely flawless execution. The Beach Cruiser takes the base cabrio to the outer limits of what can be done with the simple city car. The Cafe Racer strips the Abarth 500 down to its bare-bones. We have yet to see the Custom Shop realized to completion, but we still have these stunning images to keeping us dreaming.
Introduced shortly after the entries above, this was presented as a concept car considered for production. Apparently, the concept was very popular ~ it will available in the standard Sport as well as the Sport Turbo.
Introduced with the Cattiva, this matte Abarth has not been introduced for actual production yet. This mighty mouse incorporates some design elements first introduced to the market in the 500 Sport Turbo package.
There is no denying this electric version of our beloved 500 is rare. It is only available in California-USA and in low numbers. This sexy e-Cinque may make it to other states with zero emissions-sales mandates. Even then, it will be rare in the 'cento line-up. There are no plans to make it available elsewhere.
This beautiful cabrio tears the roof off the standard Abarth 500. The canvas top adds chic to the performance-focused Scorpione. At the moment, sightings of this sexy beast are still rarified when compared to its hard-top twin.
We should have seen this one coming, but were completely blindsided upon announcement. The styling & specs of this exclusive cabrio sits it perfectly between a Sport Turbo and an Abarth 500c. FIAT continues to bridge the gap between the fashion & automobile industries as only they can.
By now, you may be wondering why you are reading an entry about Special Edition 500s. I have great [in a roundabout way] related news for every member, representative and fan of the Cream City 500 Club. I approved the first ever CC5C grille badge today. It will not magically transform your Cinquino to special edition status, but it is a special spin off the CC5C window badge.
Unfortunately, I cannot offer this item free to anyone. What I can do is guarantee it will stand out among other grille badges ~ just as your 500 stands design & execution above other city cars. It will be available sans mount (for those who already have one), a nero mount and a cromo mount. In addition, club members will receive a 10% discount on their orders.
We hope to see this available for order from this vendor by the estimated 13 September 2013. As always, I will keep you in the loop.
Until its arrival, here is a sneak peak...
Vivere. Amare.Guidare.
Ciao!
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