According to AN, it's due to join the recently re-branded Ram brand of trucks for the 2012 model year, there's no official word on which engines will make it to this country. Production will remain in Turkey, indicating we won't get a 700 HP V8 version or even the Sebring's terrible 2.4-liter that manages to produce no power, yet freakishly poor fuel economy. Instead, we'll likely get Fiat's own 95 HP gasoline engine even though we'd really rather like to have the choice between one of Fiat's passable Multijet diesel engines, which will be offered in European Doblos in 90, 105 and 135 HP forms. Please Santa, make them bring it in with a manual transmission.

In Europe, small vans like this (the Doblo is based in the Focus-rivaling Fiat Grand Punto) are workhorses for small businesses, large families and urban delivery men, pushing interior space to the limits of the vehicle's footprint to deliver lots of space inside compact proportions. That combination of utility, fuel economy and the ability to fit into a parking space has to be experienced to be believed. After driving a diesel-equipped Transit Connect around London for six months, I'll never be able to settle for the poor size-to-capacity ratio of a pickup American-style minivan ever again.

Here's the press release:

World premiere New Fiat Doblò: meet the 'family space'

Meet the new Doblò, the Fiat car that is all about space.

A space to be shared with family and friends: a liveable space for people who travel and love to be in company; for people who choose the Doblò as a partner for leisure or work.

A vehicle designed to meet a need for functionality and comfort that makes the most of interior space and can accommodate up to seven people. An authentic 'family space' that can rely on top-class safety, economy and respect for the environment.

Compared to the previous version that sold approximately one million units, the new model has been completely revamped in terms of style, engines and technical specifications. These aspects make the new Fiat Doblò the "best in class" both in terms of space and in terms of reduced emissions.
All this has been achieved through the use of a new platform, more passenger space (with a wheelbase of 2755 mm, the biggest in its segment), a roomy 790 litre luggage compartment, reduced CO2 emissions (129 g/km with the 1.3 Multijet 90 HP engine, the lowest in its category), standard safety features and highly modular interiors with seats that can be folded and tilted.

Style and comfort

The look is very cutting-edge. With a central shield and side bumpers that are perfectly integrated with the body, the front end blends protection and sophistication while the pronounced wheel arch and sloping shoulder contribute to the vehicle's strong and agile look. The tailgate's essential lines emphasise the accessibility and size of the generous load compartment; clear, sparkling light clusters and expanses of glass give the new Doblò a touch of elegance.
The interiors have also been designed to offer functionality and create attractive, welcoming environments through combination of colours, materials and trims.
Smart solutions for the best use of on-board space, such as a range of storage compartments and flexible interiors, offering up to 7 places, will satisfy the needs of those who make the Doblò a car to be enjoyed with family or friends.

Environment and economy

The Fiat Doblò will offer 4 power units at its launch: a 95 HP petrol engine and three diesel Multijet engines, 90, 105 and 135 HP, which will later be joined by a Natural Power engine with dual fuel system (petrol and methane) and an additional diesel engine with Dualogic robotized gearbox.
All units are lively and offer smooth torque delivery. They are remarkable for driving satisfaction, excellent performance, low noise levels, low operating costs (fuel consumption and maintenance) and also for their reliability and eco-friendliness.
The range is available with Euro 4 and Euro 5 versions and offers a Start&Stop device as standard, which cuts off the engine temporarily when the car is stopped to guarantee reduced fuel consumption and emissions.

Safety

To ensure optimum dynamic behaviour, comfort and active safety in all road surface and load conditions, the vehicle has been equipped with innovative mechanical features including a bi-link rear suspension system available with various component calibrations depending on vehicle application. The Doblò's consistent and predictable road-holding is also guaranteed by the use of state-of-the-art electronic devices for stability control, namely ABS with electronic brake force distribution EBD and, above all, ESP complemented by a hill-holder system that helps the driver during Hill starts and comes as standard on this model.

The vehicle has been designed and built to achieve the highest levels of passive safety, due to a body with crumple zones, front air bags and innovative front side bags. The latter offer protection for both head and chest.
The vehicle also offers technical solutions and equipment that create optimum comfort conditions and help keep attention on the road: these include an automatic climate control system with distribution to rear seats, cruise control, parking sensors, a built-in Blue&Me hands-free system and a "Blue&Me TomTom" navigator.

The Doblò Cargo, also new, is at the top of the professional vehicle category

The new Fiat Doblò is joined by the new Doblò Cargo which has been designed to take its place at the top of its category in terms of performance and functional characteristics. It offers a more roomy load compartment than the previous model: square, regular, fully exploitable and equipped with sliding side doors and generously-sized rear doors to make light work of loading and unloading operations. Record-breaking statistics (interior length up to 2.2 metres, width between wheel arches of 1.23 metres, volume from 3.4 to 4.2 cubic metres, payload from 750 to 1000 Kg, combined fuel consumption of 4.8 litres/100 km and range of 1250 Km with the 1.3 Multijet engine) ensure that the new vehicle can offer substantial benefits in terms of optimisation and reduction of running costs.
The range finds expression in 7 different body types: short and long wheelbase van, high top van, short and long wheelbase 5-seater combi; a particularly appealing and brand-new short and long drop-framed version can be easily and cheaply converted for specific trades (refrigeration chambers, fixed and tilting flatbed trucks).

The new models are due to be launched from mid-January 2010, but it will be possible to order the vehicles from the end of November in Italy and from December in other European markets.

Turin, 16 November 2009

As you can see in the videos below, Massa and Alonso try to help their boss out to no avail. What's a chairman to do? Just have the team send another Ferrari and let the track workers deal with it.

[GT Spirit]

Photo Credit: JOSE JORDAN/AFP/Getty Images

[GT Spirit]

This doesn't mean Chrysler isn't still working on electric cars, but as Kicking Tires points out, they're just not working on the three battery-electric vehicles — the ENVI program — they unveiled to great incredulity at this year's Detroit Auto Show are DOA. [Automotive News, Kicking Tires]

• That's right, they're considering bringing back a unibody truck/car/camino for the Ram brand. Rampage anyone?
• With Fiat comes Abarth, which is some of the best news all day. A Fiat Abarth SS would be sweet.
• Chrysler is considering dropping Audrey Hepburn digitally into an ad for the Chrysler 300C.
• Best quote in the latest update: Chrysler Town and Country is moving through Canada like "chicken pox through a Kindergarten class."
• The new Chrysler logo? It's the new Chrysler brand logo.

• Ralph Giles told the crowd today that, unlike other companies, Dodge will continue to race and put more money into the Nationwide Series/NASCAR as well as more grassroots motorsports. The SRT team enjoys events like LeMons and it's a little investment that could build a lot of good will for the automaker.
• A new unibody pickup could replace the unloved Dakota.
• Yes, this does feel like DaimlerChrysler
• Yes, Ray Wert is a serial over-sharer
• The website CarBuyersBeware.com flew planes with banners around the headquarters of Chrysler today. It's affiliated with the Teamsters and their issue seems to be bad (i.e. non-union) car transport companies.

This image reveals a sloping belt line and strong curve building from the front to the shoulders, reminiscent of the 1999 Dodge RT Charger Concept (below) it seems to borrow heavily from. We're also told the new Charger initially had rear door handles in the roof line rather than the door panel — giving it a two-door look — but this was eventually dropped. Any other details stick out?

Just a few minutes after we learned of Fiat's plans to off-road Chrysler out of financial distress with new Fiat-based Jeep models, we think we learned the name of one of them is "Mojave." We guess we'll find out in a couple hours here at Chrysler, but for the moment we've got the USPTO info we're going off of.

Just to be on the safe side, we went ahead and bought JeepMojave.com. You know, to make sure nobody else does before Chrysler gets a chance to make a play for it.

With Chrysler sales plummeting to Carpocalypticly horrific levels this past month, a new game plan's clearly needed. We've already reported on some of what we've been told to expect — that certain models will not be long for this earth and Chrysler'll be getting a new logo. It's clear there's very little of the "Old" Chrysler Fiat wants to keep. But apparently, according to the WSJ's Kate Linebaugh, they expect Jeep to play a starring role in Fiat's attempt to turn-around Chrysler:

"As part of a new five-year business strategy it will unveil Wednesday, Chrysler is expected to spell out a plan to expand Jeep's sales dramatically, especially in overseas markets, people familiar with the matter said."

Friend of Jalopnik Jim Hall (of auto consulting firm 2953 Analytics) agrees, telling the WSJ:

"Jeep is an export-viable product that could end up with significant sales...there are lots of countries where Jeeps are desirable vehicles, like Brazil."

The only question is — what product are they talking about exporting? The Journal says four models are expected to be eliminated over the next four years and be replaced by two new Jeeps based on Fiat technology. The Jeep Commander is slated for elimination next year while the mid-size Liberty and Compass and Patriot will be replaced by Fiat-based vehicles in 2013, according to their source.

Well, we always knew Jeep would either doom an automaker — as it did with AMC, Willys and Kaiser-Jeep — or save them. Which will it be this time? We'll be here live covering the event — so follow along with us at my twitter account and here all day long.

[via WSJ]

Photo Credit: AFP

Those of you who come to 24 Hours Of LeMons races already know Jeff; he's the guy who makes the LeMons carnival function correctly when it clanks into your town. A former pro racer who got his start in his early teens with a hooned-out autocross MGB, Jeff now prefers Italian iron. Remember his DOTS '65 Giulia SS?

When he first obtained the Cortina, it was powered by a semi-hot Fiat Twin Cam engine. After the punishment of quite a few rallies, the ol' Fiat gave up. What next? Hmmm... you can get wrecked Honda S2000s pretty cheap these days!




My crappy photographs don't really convey the super-slick setup of this Anglo-Japanese monster; Jeff was a fabricatin' demon to get this Hell Project together. All the Honda wiring and ECMs are in use, and it runs fine; all that remains is a bit of brake work and a couple of thousand little details. 1,800 pounds and 247 horsepower is a combination that sounds pretty good to us! And with legendary wheelman Jeff at the controls, it's gonna be terrifying a blast! Anyone who has ridden with this guy in a rental car on a race track can vouch for that. Did you know that a Honda CR-V can do 110+ at Carolina Motorsports Park? Neither did I!

And that's just the beginning of the fun stuff to be found under Jeff's house. The entire footprint of Chez Jeff's Oakland abode is taken up by an 1,800 square foot garage. For starters, here's Mrs. Jeff's ride: a lowered 1966 VW Transporter with a built-to-the-hilt 2,000cc engine.

Just inside, you'll find this 1971 Fiat 850 Sport Coupe, also belonging to Jeff's SO; don't those Alfa wheels look good on it?

When she doesn't feel like driving the bus or the Fiat, there's always her '69 Alfa Romeo Duetto.

Sometimes Jeff needs to change things up with this 1971 BMW 2002Tii with "lots of mods."

Tired of four wheels? Hop on one of the Lambrettas!

Tired of internal combustion? Hop on a Bianchi!

Basically, Chrysler gets to be the brand of — umm — a minivan, a large sedan and a little cinquecento. Dodge gets gutted and apparently becomes the retro brand. Ram pickup trucks are — umm — maybe their own brand? Jeep gets back to basics (yay!) and Alfa Romeo randomly shows up, adding a small car, a smaller car, a mid-size and the 8c competizione.

So basically, Fiat's grooming Alfa Romeo to replace Chrysler. Full details below:

Chrysler

* PT Cruiser
* Sebring
* Town and Country
* 300: Redesign in 2011
* Fiat 500: 2011

Dodge

* Caliber
* Nitro
* Avenger
* Grand Caravan
* Charger: Redesign in 2011
* Challenger
* Journey
* Ram trucks (separate brand?)

Jeep

* Commander
* Compass
* Patriot
* Wrangler
* Grand Cherokee: Redesign in 2010

Alfa Romeo

* Mito
* Milano (replacing 147)
* New Mid-Size Sedan
* 8C Competizione

[via WSJ, Kicking Tires]

Even though I live in a parking-challenged downtown neighborhood and have maxed out my off-street parking with several cheap heaps, I really really really wanted to go over to San Francisco and buy this car, that very minute (the listing included the ominous words "MUST SELL THIS WEEKEND"). My parents bought two brand-new 1973 128 sedans when I was 6 years old, and at the time I thought they were the most awesome-sounding motor vehicles on the face of the earth. In fact, the engine noise produced by those Fiats may have been what turned me into a car freak at an early age (I choose to not dwell on the fact that both cars were completely kaput within several years and sent my parents scurrying back to Detroit iron for the next decade). Foolishly, I decided that buying a Fiat wasn't my best move, and I never called the seller.

About a week later, I spotted a very Italian-looking profile in the holding yard of the now-defunct Hayward Pick Your Part wrecking yard. Orange, plenty of surface rust, hatchback- why, it's got to be the same car! At this point, I'm really kicking myself; this super-rare Fiat is about to get picked up by a forklift and dumped on the yard, where maybe 1% of its components will be purchased prior to its final ride to The Crusher a few weeks later (and yes, that's an early Scirocco in the background, also doomed to the same fate).

The engine looked intact and the car seemed complete. Junkyard employees just laughed, in traditional junkyard-employee fashion, when I asked about buying the car before it hit the yard: "¡Ja, Ja! ¡Gringo estupido!"

Fast-forward to last weekend. I was at the All-Italian Car And Motorcycle Show and here's an orange Fiat 128 Sport Coupe that sure looks familiar. What the hell's the deal here?


It turns out that the car on Craigslist and the car at the junkyard weren't the same Fiat after all; had I been a bit more knowledgeable about the 128 hatchbacks- which, needless to say, weren't exactly hot sellers in North America- I'd have recognized that one car was a Sport Coupe, while the other was a later 3C; similar cars, but different taillights and badging. The differences might be obvious to you Yurpeans, but I hadn't seen any 128s in the wild for many years.

And, in one of those weird small-world twists, it turns out that I know the car's new owner. It's Jalopnik reader Superasiaone, of Wedginators Buick-V6-powered TR7 24 Hours Of LeMons fame. The car just needed a tune-up to become a decent driver; you can read more about its story here.

The Buick-ized TR7 is long gone and Scratchy Bottom Racing is considering making the 128 Sport Coupe into their next LeMons racer. The car got pretty rusty during its long spell sitting in a San Francisco driveway, but the mechanicals are in great shape. Cars don't get destroyed in post-Altamont LeMons racing, so we might end up seeing a caged 128 SL getting track and street time in the near future.

Meanwhile, we can assume that the poor 3P and its Scirocco neighbor have been crushed by now, no doubt packed into cubes of metal in a Guangzhou-bound container ship at this moment. Contemplate the randomness of automotive survival versus death as you enjoy these galleries:
Fiat 128 3P On Death Row


Fiat 128 SL Gets Rescued

Speaking of weird Fiats, there's nothing wrong with an X1/9 that a supercharger can't fix!

And just to show that the 24 Hours Of LeMons is taking over the universe (or at least the portion of the universe comprised of Northern California car shows), here's a shot of the Italian Stallions X1/9 LeMons car. We'll be seeing this quad-carbed monster at the Arse Freeze-a-Palooza next month!

What could be better than a Maserati straight six engine? A Maserati straight six engine with Lucas fuel injection, of course! I can't see a single weak point in that plan! OK, here's a gallery for you. We'll be seeing more of that orange Fiat 128 Sport a little later; very interesting story there.

Fiat is basing the 166, the sedan this image is being developed for, around the next-gen 300C. That not only means the 166 will finally be RWD, but also that it should be designed to pass US crash and emissions standards from the off. With Fiat eyeing Chrysler's US dealer network it's a logical assumption that Alfa, particularly its new larger sedan, will find its way here.

Autocar says to expect both naturally aspirated and twin-turbo versions of the engine, Alfa's first V8 since the Montreal died in 1977. [via Autocar]

That monster sidepipe sticking out beneath the driver’s side door? It’s connected to a V6 engine, bored from three to 3.5 liters by the good people of Abarth, feeding itself through three twin-choke Webers to send 270 HP at a delicious 6800 RPM to the rear wheels via a De Tomaso Pantera gearbox mounted directly to the rear axle. And just look at those deep-dish rear wheels, clad in their ultrawide Pirellis.

Not bad at all. And that’s before you consider all the lightness added to the car: the glassfiber-aluminum-plexiglass body tips the scales at a featherweight 2470 pounds. The result is a top speed of 160 MPH.

And now for some photographic trickery: the picture you see above was taken with Leica’s weird and wonderful Noctilux lens, whose maximum aperture equals its focal range, allowing for handheld photography at night and a corresponding razor-thin depth of field.

Source—and further reading: 131Abarth.com, Sporting Fiats Club. Photo of red 131 with Noctilux lens: rin/Flickr