The 2012 Panda has been completely renewed and comes with a larger body, fresh looks, improved versatility and a new range of engines.
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Appropriately, the two Italian brands brought over fashionistas, tastemakers and catwalk models including a couple of ladies that were disturbingly anorexic skinny (like the one pictured on your right), to create some fuss around the Fiat 500 trimmed by Gucci.
"In the ‘50s, the Fiat 500 created a style revolution when it first hit the road. It quickly became the must-have car of its time," said Gucci Creative Director Frida Giannini.
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First up is the Abarth Punto SuperSport featuring a “Grigio Campovolo” two-tone color scheme with silver bodywork and a matte black bonnet and roof, along with “SuperSport” decals on the side, the tailgate and the mirrors, plus a set of 18-inch alloy wheels with red brake calipers.
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The Dodge-derived Freemont, which was initially available with front-wheel drive only, now gets an all-wheel drive. It utilizes an on-demand AWD system with an electronically controlled coupling that sends power to the rear wheels only when its slip sensors detect a loss of grip at the front axle.
The most important change is the introduction of the two-cylinder MultiAir turbocharged gasoline engine. It’s the same unit used in Fiat's 500 and Panda, as well as the Alfa Romeo MiTo, producing 85HP and 145 Nm of torque at 2,000 rpm.
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The first generation of the model introduced in 1980, was the first city car to offer a diesel engine (1986), four-wheel drive (1983) and one of the first electric variants (the Elettra in 1990), while the second generation Panda that was launched in 2003, managed to keep Fiat afloat and formed the base for the successful 500.
Now it's time for Fiat to lift the wraps on the third iteration of the Panda that will make its world premiere in Frankfurt. The “Nuova” (that’s Italian for new) Panda has grown in dimensions compared to its predecessor measuring 3,650 mm long (vs 3,538), 1,640 mm wide (vs 1,578) and 1,550 mm tall (vs 1,450).
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Bypassing the new Alfa Romeo Giulietta and Fiat Doblo van that we already know about, Fiat's product plan concentrates on Lancia, a brand that up until now, was clearly neglected by the Italian firm. That's going to change now that Fiat has linked Lancia's portfolio with Chrysler's lineup.
First of all, 2010 will see a minor facelift for the Ypsilon mini and Musa mini MPV as well as a model year update on the Delta that is rumored to be revealed with a Chrysler badge at next month's Detroit auto show.
2011, however, promises to be a significant year for Lancia as Fiat plans to introduced four new vehicles -all of which will be derived from Chrysler models- to the brand's European lineup.
These include a mid-size family sedan and convertible (a Lybra successor most likely based on the Sebring), a new flagship luxury sedan (Thesis replacement that's rumored to be based on the 300) and a large MPV (probably the Town and Country).
In 2011, Fiat will also gain a Chrysler Group-derived crossover model while the most important introduction for the brand will be the next-generation Panda that will be offered with the firm's new twin-cylinder turbocharged engines.
Other than the new compact-sized Giulietta, Alfa Romeo's plans include a model year update for the 159 sedan, the presentation of the more hardcore 8C Competizione GTA and a light facelift for the MiTo supermini.
As you can see, Marchionne's plans for Alfa do not include the long awaited SUV / Crossover model nor a replacement for the 169. Apparently, the focus on the Lancia brand comes at the cost of Alfa's future...
All in all, over the next two years, the Fiat Group is planning the launch of 17 new models and upgrades of 13 existing models.
PS: The opening photo is a Carscoop photoshop
Times Square, the most bustling place in Manhattan with more neon lights and taxis than there are grains of sand in the desert, yet our reader Jorge P. managed to snag a Fiat 500 mini that was passing by on the road. There's no way of knowing whether it's a test car, a private import or maybe even a personal vehicle of a Fiat exec, but what we do know is that the Italians are planning to bring the retro-styled mini to the U.S. towards the end of 2010 or early 2011.According to the latest reports, the Fiat Group, which took a 20% stake in Chrysler earlier this year as part of the automaker's exit from bankruptcy protection, is planning to build the U.S.-bound 500s at Chrysler's plant in Toluca, Mexico.
Here's what Carscoop reader Jorge Prudencio had to say about his encounter with the Fiat 500:
"Just wanted to share a picture of a late model Fiat 500 cruising through Times Square Saturday, September 19th. I was walking through the area when I caught it going by. I only had time to snap one picture, and didn't get a chance to see the plates etc. (the crowd was pretty heavy at the time). I can only speculate that it was a local Fiat enthusiast that brought it over from Europe, and it is not a test mule as it was looking like the production version shown at all the major auto shows (my 2 cents)."
Hat tip to Jorge!
A set of revealing pictures depicting the refreshed 2010 Fiat Grande Punto without any camouflage whatsoever have slipped into the internet. The updated Italian supermini that rivals models such as the Ford Fiesta and Peugeot 207 features a revised front and rear end design as well as a new dashboard that follows in the lines of the larger Bravo hatchback. 
Due to be officially unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September and go on sale before the end of the year, the facelifted Grande Punto sports a revised front end with reworked headlamps and a new front bumper that now incorporates three grilles and a dark grey center section while the photos also reveal that Fiat's designers restyled the tail lights.
Inside, the 2010MY Grande Punto boast a new dashboard design that is heavily inspired from the C-Segment Bravo. Highlights include the deep-set gauges on the instrument panel, the new audio and climate systems as well as the circular side vents.
There's also talk about a revised diesel and gasoline engine line up, but better wait for Fiat to issue something official on the matter.
Via: Autoblog.it & Autopareri
