2012 FIAT 500 to Debut at the 2011 Twin Cities Auto Show

The new FIAT 500 is making its return on the American market this year, with the car set to make its debut at the 2011 Twin Cities Auto Show on March 12-20. This means that Minnesota will be one of the first states to offer a glimpse at the model.

In fact, the new 500 will be displayed at the Luther Automotive Group’s Fiat dealership that opens in early April in Brooklyn Park.

The car will go on sale with a base price of $15,500, powered by a 1.4-liter, four-cylinder engine equipped with MulitAir, and averaging 38 mpg (6.2 l/100km). The FIAT 500 will initially be available with a 5-speed manual transmission with a 6-speed automatic transmission soon to follow.

Other features of the car include the ecoDrive application, which analyzes driving styles to determine ways to save money and reduce carbon emissions.

"At 38 miles per gallon, this car is extremely energy efficient and ecoDrive is a very innovative feature that alerts drivers to what they can do to save energy and improve their overall driving experience," said Doreen Fischer, of the Luther Automotive Group.

US customers will be able to choose from 14 exterior colors, three trim levels (Pop, Sport or Lounge), 9 exterior decal options, and 2 wheel options. Additional accessories include a Thule roof-mount bike carrier, a Thule roof-mount snow sports carrier, and a Thule rooftop soft cargo storage bag.

"We are very excited to introduce the new FIAT 500 to the Minnesota marketplace," said Fischer. "This iconic car offers drivers an amazing price point and stylish Italian design that can be customized with thousands of options so drivers can truly make their car their own. And best of all, the FIAT 500 will be the most stylish fuel-efficient car on the market."