It's so weird. I get so many questions about my 500 from random people.

Lot's of positive comments too.

Is that a Seattle thing?

TEdolph

 

One thing is getting complements. Are they going out and buying 500’s, afterwards. This is the first time, the 500X outsold, the small 500. One thing I noticed. The studios, have very little inventory out there. What Abarth’s, that are left, have manual transmissions.

 

The entire FIAT lineup has been basically ignored by FCA, especially the 500. No refresh or anything for the NA market. Expect sales to keep dropping or end all together in the NA market without some kind of epiphany......

 

What's weird is that gas is starting to get expensive again, and still no sales?

Marchionne has something up his sleeve.

tEdolph

 

Gas would have to exceed $4.00 per gallon for 87 octane fuel to really open people's eyes. You may correct regarding Marchionne; he always seems to pull something out of his hat........

 

Cars sales are usually down during the hoilday months. Especially January, when you get you credit card statement. All those gifts you bought. I noticed other brands numbers are down too. Mini’s too went south too. Chevy’s little Spark were low. Which is the best seller, in the city car segment here.

 

No advertising!

 

Aren't the paddle shifter cars dual clutch transmissions which is basically a manual transmission with an automatic clutch, i.e. no torque converter?

TEdolph

 

Paddles are offered, on CVT’s, semi clutch automatics, full automatics, and Dual clutch. The CVT’s have fake shift points. Only thing I don’t care for using paddles, is when turning left and right. Some cars, they fixed to the steering wheel. Wheel spoke get in the way of the paddles.

 

I have a VW Alltrack with the DSG. Hands down, beats any manual ever made. You can drive it like a regular automatic, sport mode automatic (holds each gear longer), manually shift it with the handle (just slide it over like in the Fiat) or use the paddles. If you can't find one of those options to work for you then you should just stop driving. It also has launch control which makes the thing take off much faster than you could ever do with a manual. The transmission is built overkill and can handle lots more power than what the car has stock. Mine has a plug in unit and it makes my Abarth seem slow. Plus it gives better mileage than the Abarth. The other advantage of the DSG is that it gives better fuel mileage over a manual.

The transmission is so superior over a manual, VW and Audi will not even sell you a racecar with a manual any more. The Golf R and Audi RS3 LMS TCR cars have the same transmission that my Alltrack has in it.

Watch this as it explains how a DSG works.

 

Hands down, beats any manual ever made... The transmission is so superior over a manual...

Spoken like a typical tyrannical bureaucrat who knows what is best for everybody else.

How is this "best" for those who don't want its added cost, weight, and complexity? Best for you, not for everybody else.

 

But FIAT can and does get 50+ mpg.

It is called Twin Air!

TYEdolph

 

With a manual transmission, no one wants in NA. The only other transmission option, is the lame semi automatic Fiat Dualogic. Matted to the Twin Air.

The 2017 Kia Niro Hybrid Crossover, can achieve 40-50 mpg. Someone in Australia. Driving one got up to 70 mpg. It has a 1.6 liter 104 hp I4 engine connected to a 43 hp. electric motor. 6 speed dual clutch transmission. It’s the size as a 500X.

 

No, I don't think that I could do that.

How would you double clutch?

Tedolph

 

Remember, I'm the only person here that owns an Abarth automatic. I was even more retarded because I literally bought one the first month they came out. Coming from a manual only guy, it's a great transmission and electronics save the day when it comes to autoblip on downshift and it backfires really loud like the manual ones do. For some reason, the transmission has taken my abuse for 40K miles and hasn't failed. I've even tracked my Abarth and the transmission has survived.

Since I found out a few months ago that all of those high MPG, NA 500's are on their way out and the old 500T was to replace it, that sounds like to me that it's a band aid solution for a wound that wasn't bleeding

As for TwinAir, it doesn't exist here in the US. So, we are out of luck.

I suggest this. Have Fiat design a brand new 500 and then give it whatever engine that gives the least amount of fuel consumption vs the power needs that are required due to the competition here in the US. As we have seen, selling the same exact model for 6+ year does not work here in the US. It might work in Europe and they should keep running with that formula.

Also, for my local Alfa/Fiat dealer. No 2018 Fiats but 21, 2017's. Of those, 2 are 500's. For the Alfa count there are 72, 2018 and 6, 2017.

 

Only two 500's?

Something is up.

Tedolph

 

The automatic Abarth, is only 7/10 of a second slower to 0-60 mph. Fiat can’t sell the manual ones.
I really can’t wait to see a new 500 platform. Improved interior materials, Paddle shifters. If you got to have a manual, at least a modern 6 speed one.

 

It's like the jump from a MK6 VW to a MK7. Honestly, it's a big one and you get way more value. This is what Fiat needs because there's no reason to get rid of a 2012 500 because it's 95% the same as a 2018 model. Fiat need to make a reason for current owners to trade in their current one and buy a new one. Right now, there's no incentive.

Using some issue with massive gas prices is not a business plan. Getting people to buy what they want today, is. If gas goes way up then have a plan B to go back on. Just don't stick to plan B hoping the world will come around to your needs and wants.

 

I dont care what gas prices are like. I think its a fools errand to try to sell a really tiny car rated 27/34 in 2018 (assuming the 2018's will be tuned as the 500 turbos were). no reason a 135 horsepower turbo cant be tuned for better mileage than that.

at least give us a 6 speed manual that can get a 40 mpg rating.

 

I agree, this is a fools errand.

TEdolph

 

Wonder how Honda can get up to 40 mpg. 130 hp engine, larger vehicle. Naturally aspired engines.

ON REGULAR FUEL TOO!

 

Wonder how Honda can get up to 40 mpg. 130 hp engine, larger vehicle. Naturally aspired engines.

There are other articles online about this:

http://www.businessinsider.com/smaller-engines-get-worse-gas-mileage-2012-11


I've long hypothesized that Fiat will have to market these as "fun to drive." There is too much competition in the mpg war.

As has been said here many times, Americans, sadly, just don't "get" small cars like these.

 

The European Fiat 500, Turbo Twin Air, has that same Abarth bumper. With some little air duck glued around the side.

 

Hey, if the Twin Air has it, Tedolph is all for it!

I would even take the Dual Logic trany with paddle shifters if that is what it would take to get that car here.

Objection withdrawn.

Tedolph

 

There is NO WAY the typical stupid American will be able to figure out how to use that shifter. It's got lawsuit written all over it when someone runs over nana.