US Fiat 500 Will Have Bigger Cupholders

The Americans like a bit of Italian flavor and style in their lives, so naturally Fiat is hoping their little city car will sell well in the US when it finally reaches dealers later this year. According to autonews sources, all the new US spec features for the 500 are ready for production.

For the American market, the car has been fitted with softer suspension, a bit more power and most importantly huge cupholders (that should fit those 24 oz (710 ml) giants at Starbucks). The model will be unveiled at this year's Los Angeles Auto Show.

The engine under the Fiat’s little bonnet is the same 1.4-liter as before, but it has been fitted with MultiAir, Fiat’s patented engine-breathing system, producing a total of 10 percent more power and decreasing emissions by 10 percent as well. Coupled with the engine will be one of two transmissions: a six-speed automatic or a six-speed manual.

The exterior of the car features new front and rear bumpers, as well as body cladding. The styling upgrades are meant to help the 500 better compete with the Mini One and Ford Fiesta.

For those who feared that Fiats built in Italy don’t have the same level of build quality as German cars (not that this particular Fiat in built in Italy, as the 500 is assembled in Poland) you should be glad it will not be shipped from Europe but rather built in Chrysler Group's plant in Toluca, Mexico. The US spec 500 will be officially unveiled at the 2010 LA Auto Show, but dealers will only receive the new model in December.

Fiat already has 130 stores across America, hoping to reach a total of 165 by the time the 500 goes on sale in January next year.