It may only travel at a blistering 1.86 MPH top speed, but that's not really the point, it's the creation of Japanese ironsmith Kogoro Kurata, who built the thing to apparently solve some very tiny earth-moving needs. The little red monster is the combination of a tracked crane powertrain with the fiat body dropped over top, it's operated fully hydraulically, driving the skid steer treads and the tiny little plow up front. We're hoping his next steps include a little dekotora action.
[Gizmodo]

[via Fubiz.net]

Of course the secret to the Ariel Atom 500's performance isn't its RS Performance 10,000 RPM 2.4-liter V8, but rather its 500kg weight. At just 1,102 Lbs, it's roughly 1/4 the weight of the 4,160 Lbs Veyron while making slightly less than half that hypercar's power.

The added cost of the Atom 500 over its lesser siblings is largely down to the $48,000 engine and the $17,500 six-speed sequential gearbox, but it also gains Alcon brakes, Dymag wheels, and numerous carbon fiber aero-aids designed to boost both performance and exclusivity. [via Autocar]

Kidd is one of the fastest competitors of the Celebrity Lap on Top Gear and also appeared in Jeremy Clarkson's Thriller, racing Clarkson himself in a Fiat 500. For Fiat UK, there wasn't a better spokesmodel to promote the new Fiat 500 Eco Test Drive being run to "highlight the benefits of environmentally-friendly motoring."

The program offers any customer that visits a participating UK Fiat dealer the opportunity to take an eco test drive. Unlike most test drives, the key to this program is that this 'test drive' also measures the driver's fuel efficiency. Fiat is providing test drivers with a unique USB key that they plug into the Blue&Me entertainment and communications slot to record their performance throughout their drive.

Fiat will then run the performance statistics through a computer which will then analyze and award a number (out of 100) that judges the drivers 'eco:Index.' The system measures the drivers efficiency based on acceleration, deceleration, gear changes and average speed. If the Eco Test Drive program proves to be successful, Fiat UK will expand it to all models that feature the Blue&Me system.

"The Fiat 500 is a lovely car," said Jodie Kidd. "And eco:Drive technology is absolutely right for the moment. People should be thinking more about their driving and the environment - it's a great idea."

We don't care what the USB says, she's a perfect 100,

[via Fiat UK]

While it isn't as egregious as the Ultra Vette, there's still a lot about the Fiat 500 incompatible with a recession. There's the pink-on-pink interior and exterior, which has a candy gloss appropriately plastic for the Barbie theme. The vanity mirror is covered with LEDs, which is what you'd expect for a glamour girl. How to top that? The interior bezels, hubcaps, antenna, window moldings and other bits are covered in crystals.

Designed by Fiat Centro Stile and Mattel, the car will debut today in Milan's fashion district with Ken and Barbie driving the car. Actually, Ken will drive. That's boy's work.

[via Carscoop]

Because it looks exactly like the drawings the company put out, we're not much surprised by the look. Thanks to Fiat we now know the special top includes an interesting, electric-sliding top. This design allows for greater structural rigidity and a unique style.

Powerplants, transmission and Fiat's new Start&Stop technology all come over from the hardtop Fiat 500. It's just what you need for cruising the strada, though we're still angling for a new Abarth.

FIAT 500C MAKES INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC DEBUT AT GENEVA

A worldwide preview of the new Fiat 500C will be taking place at the Geneva Motor Show in early March, before its launch throughout Europe in the spring. This original cabriolet pays homage to the open-top 1957 model, whilst offering leading-edge solutions for mechanical installations, powerplants and interior comfort. All this in authentic Fiat tradition, giving access to higher segment engineering and state-of-the-art technology.

Featuring an innovative soft top – an unrestricted window to the sky – the new 500C is exactly the same size as the basic model (3.55 m x 1.65 m x 1.49 m), and utilises the same three powerplants: 1.3 litre 75 hp MultiJet Turbodiesel coupled to a 5-speed manual transmission, and the two 1.2 litre 69 hp and 1.4 litre 100 hp petrol engines, available with either manual or robotised Dualogic transmission. Providing different features, all three engine types are responsive and flexible, offering strong performance based on sophisticated technology. Standard features include in-built reliability, robust construction, high quality build and environmental friendliness.

Moreover, as proof of Fiat Automobiles' commitment to ecology and sustainable mobility, the new 500C incorporates the company's recently announced Start&Stop system, an innovative device which initiates engine shutdown and subsequent re-ignition. To this end, at every complete stop, when shifting to neutral and releasing the clutch, the engine is switched off, and then restarted simply by selecting a gear.

Created by the Fiat Styling Centre and manufactured at the Tichy plant in Poland, the Fiat 500C incorporates all the strong points of the basic model, namely top-of-segment safety features, proper accommodation for four adults, and generous luggage space combined with easy loading potential, even with the soft top fully open, thanks to a clever parallelogram hinge system.

A highly original exercise in design, the soft top of the Fiat 500C stands out for its refined electrically operated linkage and engineering solutions of great quality and finish, such as the glass rear window and the built-in centrally positioned high mounted stop light. Available in three colours (ivory, red and black), this original soft top will be matched with several body colours, two of which have been conceived specifically for the new car in a brilliant Pearl Red and a special Warm Grey.

Thanks to the adoption of the innovative sliding soft top combined with a design concept which retains the vehicle's all-round protection, the Fiat 500C offers a delightful motoring experience at any time of the year. All told, its many special features make this new car one of the best equipped cabriolet models currently available in the city-car segment.

The 500C is further proof of Fiat's undisputed leadership in this vehicle class, where continuous innovation ensures that its position as the industry's standard is maintained. In fact the car sets new standards in terms of comfort and safety, engineering and appointments whilst maintaining a unique and inimitable Italian style. A new cabriolet has been created which provides excitement and sustained driving pleasure, combining captivating lines with the performance of flexible, environment-friendly, low consumption engines.

[Source: FIAT]

[via Fiat500]

The Camaro took a 40 year snooze from official pace car duties, but is now back with the 2010 426 horsepower Camaro SS just in time to pace the 51st running of the Daytona 500 on February 15, 2009. It's painted in Cyber Gray and possibly Rally Yellow along with all the necessary Daytona 500 stickers and Camaro decals. We won't say this thing is exactly pretty, as most pace cars are not, but the 2010 Camaro does look pretty good with the Cyber Gray covering its flanks.

Press Release:

Racing series NASCAR-CUP
Date 2009-02-07

Chevy Camaro Returns as Official Pace Car for 51st Daytona 500; Iconic 2010 Model Returns to the "Great American Race" After 40-Year Absence

DAYTONA BEACH, FL (Feb. 7, 2009) — Daytona International Speedway officials announced the return of the Chevy Camaro as the Official Pace Car of the 51st running of the Daytona 500—the first Camaro to pace the field since 1969.

"Chevy has been a great partner of the Daytona 500 for more than 30 years, and the Camaro is an automotive icon,'" said Speedway President Robin Braig. "This 2010 model will set the tone for a 21st century sports car, and that's a perfect fit to lead the pack at the 'Great American Race.''

The 426-horsepower vehicle, powered by the 6.2-liter all-aluminum Chevy V-8, carries a PPG Cyber Grey paint scheme with a bold accent design befitting "The World Center of Racing." A Camaro has paced the field just twice in Dayton 500 history, in 1968 and '69, and this 2010 model is scheduled to hit showroom floors this spring.

Built on GM's new global rear-wheel drive architecture, the Camaro also will be offered in V-6-powered LS and LT models. Additional specs of the 2010 model pace car include:

* All-aluminum 6.2-liter V-8

* 426 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque

* Fully integrated strobe system, including a GM-designed custom light bar utilizing Whelen 500 series linear strobes

* 27-mpg estimated highway fuel economy

* Fuel-saving Tremec 6-speed manual transmission

* Top speed of xxx mph on the test track

[via camaro5]

Just like the original sun-worshiping Fiat 500, the new Cabrio maintains the fixed sides of the coupe while integrating a convertible top we expect to roll back and store at the rear of the car. We're expecting the new Fiat 500 Cabrio to debut at this year's Geneva Motor Show coming up in March. [AutoCar]

(Thanks for the photo James)

While this soft top Fiat 500 is significantly less gay than the Castagna Tender Two, like all modern retros, it’s still extremely limp-wristed. The coup de grace, in the form of a Mini Convertible-rivaling full-convertible 500 is expected to arrive some time next year. If you’re comfortable with your sexuality and you want people to know it, or you’re just a cute young girl, go for it. Just watch out for Audi Q7s headed in your direction. [via Next Autos]

It's not only a problem for Tata; across the board, material prices are gutting once-profitable programs. Imagine drawing up designs three years ago and projecting material parts budgets (which can often be up to 70% of the part price), only to have the most expensive element of the part jump in price by 40%. That's the kind of thing which blows engineering budgets. Tata is working with its suppliers and partners to determine what the pricing adjustments will look like (when an automaker says that, they mean lower price for them to buy supplies from suppliers, which also means less profit for the supplier), but it's clear they are trying to remain as close as possible to that original $2,500 target.

Jalopnik Snap Judgement: We'll still take three, with the racing stripes, as long as matte-black paint and rear-window shotgun holders are available options. [Automotive News Submission Req.]

Fiat 500

Fiat has been on again, off again on its plans for a return to the US, but we're hoping eventually to see the reborn Fiat 500 on domestic shores — if for no other reason than to give Mini owners something to think about. Sure, it'll need a little more scoot or a totally different torque curve to get us interested, but the car has style and a superb interior, plus it sips the fuel.

Dodge Hornet

With production confirmation yesterday, we'll be waiting with baited breath for the sting of the Chinese-built Dodge Hornet. The little bruiser should come in right about when gas tops $15 a gallon and the cities start to burn. But that won't stop us from being interested in the Hornet. We'll just have to wait and see if Chryslerberus and Chery can deliver the goods on product quality.

Nissan Cube

The Nissan Cube has been forbidden, asymmetrical fruit for years now, but Nissan is telling us the next version will be US-bound. We don't know if the funky style will survive, but it could be the beneficiary of Carlos Ghosn's big electric push, resulting in an all-electric Cube. We'd welcome the little-van-that-could with open arms even if it's just a gasser.

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This new car is slated to debut later this year at the 2008 Paris Auto Show and will do nothing if not provide fodder for the rumors of a new, 150 HP ST model. Since we can't help but love compact hot hatches this rumor-shrouded version has us looking up gray market importers, but we'll just have to wait to see if that pans out first. Since Ford hates US dollars, don't expect it to see American streets any time soon. [AutoExpress via WorldCarFans]