Chrysler Communications Manager, Scott Brown, confirmed yesterday that a 170 horsepower Fiat 500 will show up on the U.S. market. I spoke with Brown while attending a media preview of the 2010 Portland Auto Show. He specifically stated the turbocharged 170 hp engine would not be part of the initial Fiat 500 launch, but would indeed follow. The initial launch engine will make 100 hp.
The Fiat 500 should arrive in late 2010 or early 2011.
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The blog, Fiat 500 USA, is saying that the U.S. Market Fiat 500 will have 170 hp and 170 ft.lbs. of torque from its turbocharged 1.4-liter MultiAir engine. The blog also says there will be a normally aspirated engine making 100 hp and 95 ft./lbs. or twist, too.
I was not able to verify this on Chrysler’s media site, but hopefully the blog is right. A 170 hp Fiat 500 would be a rip-roarin’ hoot to drive, especially with the car’s low curb weight (under 2,300 lbs.). This would give the car power-to-weight ratio of 13.5 lb/hp.; better than a MINI Cooper S (15.6 lb/hp), but not quite as good as the John Cooper Works MINI (12.9 lb/hp).
There’s a good discussion regarding the 500 on FocalJet.com, too. Check it out!
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