Filed under: Diesel, MPG, Fiat, Europe/EU
Fiat 500 voted car of the year 2008
Fifty-eight journalist from twenty-two countries around Europe have voted the Fiat 500 as "European Car of the Year 2008" with 385 votes, ahead of the Mazda 2 (325 votes) and the Ford Mondeo (202). The cute subcompact was also in 57 of the 58 short lists and was voted first by jury members.
Fiat has won already this award 12 times: Fiat 124 (1967), Fiat 128 (1970), Fiat 127 (1972), Lancia Delta (1980), Fiat Uno (1984), Fiat Tipo (1989), Fiat Punto (1995), Fiat Bravo/Brava (1996), Alfa 156 (1998), Alfa 147 (2001), Fiat Panda (2004) and the Fiat 500 (2008).
The 500 is quite a success: up to date, 105,000 orders have been placed in Germany and Italy. The diesel version is including a Diesel Particulate Filter as a standard, and all engines satisfy the Euro V.
Related:
[Source: Fiat]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
greenantilope 3:30PM (11/21/2007)
does anyone know if this vehicle will be bound for usa and what the distributorships are lined up?
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Elvis 12:00PM (11/24/2007)
No decision has been made as to whether the 500 will be sold in the USA. The biggest issue is that FIAT do not have any dealer network in the USA, with the exception of Ferrari/Maserati and it is unlikely that the 500 will be sold alongside its more prestigious stable mates. However, FIAT are preparing for the re-launch of the Alfa Romeo brand in the USA and it might be possible to sell the 500 alongside the Alfa brand, depending what dealers they use, in the same way that BMW sell the mini in their showrooms. All of this, however, is just conjecture!
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robert vincent 6:09AM (12/05/2007)
It seems likely that those voting for the three-door Fiat have never experienced the hazards of opening large doors when parking within the designated areas at supermarkets.
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Jim Harrison 9:39PM (12/15/2007)
I would love to see the FIAT return to the US market. The first job I had in the 70's after being in the Navy was as a technician with a FIAT dealer. I owned 2 124's, a Spyder and a sedan. Both served me well. It was a pity to see them go. The owner of the dealership had an 850 Abarth which was a thrill to drive. Come back, I'll buy one!!
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Terry 1:02AM (12/31/2007)
I had a Fiat sedan in 1965, my dad bought it new. It was an interesting car. Within a week of purchase, my dad came down the driveway with the brakes smoking. The dealer fixed it. When I came of driving age, it was my first car. I remember replacing the rubber u-joints (flex-plates) several times, and once the column mounted 4-speed stick came off in my hand while I was shifting!
I know that they must have improved since then, and I think I would test drive one if for no other reason than nostalgia.
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Jimmy G. 4:00PM (1/07/2008)
I have always been fascinated with European cars and recently I visited the Fiat website. I do like the Fiat 500 very much. I think the Italians should give Toyota, Honda, Suzuki, Kia and the rest a run for their money and re-enter the USA auto market.
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Dan 6:25PM (2/20/2008)
Caio Fiat! I want to reduce my carbon footprint from my Chevy V8 Silverado pickup and the new 500 will allow me to do that in style. Italian design is superior over Japanese. I can't wait...
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Dan 10:03AM (2/21/2008)
Caio Fiat! I want to reduce my carbon footprint and the new 500 will allow me to do that in style. Italian design is superior over Japanese. I can't wait...
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WDOphoto 12:41PM (6/14/2008)
I want one - bring them to the US. I will buy one. I promise.
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