2011 Fiat 500 Features

The 2011 Fiat 500 marks the company's return to America after an absence of more than two decades. The European version of the Fiat 500 C convertible is pictured here.

Various reports estimate the 2011 Fiat 500 with the 1.4 engine and manual transmission will do 0-60 mph in about 9.3 seconds, which should be more than adequate for most American driving needs. Fuel economy? The model in question rates 36 mpg on the official European combined driving cycle. We'd guess that will translate to U.S. EPA ratings in the low 30s for city driving and something over 40 mpg on the highway.

Despite its urban-friendly size and a likely mid-teens base price, the 2011 Fiat 500 should be well equipped, with electric power steering, ABS, curtain side airbags, and MP3 plug-in all standard. Options are expected to include a Mini-style smorgasbord of funky "personalization" features, including various decals, a passel of trims and colors, a tail rack for carrying surfboards or snowboards, and maybe even the cabin perfume dispenser available in Europe. No ugly Pep Boys air freshener for the Ferragamo-chic 500.

Where would the 2011 Fiat 500 be built? Since the alliance with Chrysler went through, we expect the car will be built in one of Chrysler's existing assembly plants. Before the Chrysler news broke, some sources believed Fiat could even choose to retool a U.S. factory owned by its agriculture-equipment division, Case-New Holland. It is possible that the same plant may also build sporty upscale Alfa Romeo cars as part of that brand's expected U.S. return. Of course, the new decade isn't far off, and economic conditions are obviously far from favorable at the moment, but Marchionne seems determined to meet his 2010 timetable. We wish him luck.

On the face of it, the 500 should be just the car to put Fiat back on the U.S. map. It's undoubtedly well timed: Appealing, affordable, and most of all, easy on gas. If it's well built and reliable too, it can't miss. Imagine saying that about a Fiat.

A Notable Feature of the 2011 Fiat 500

European reports suggest the 2011 Fiat 500 will offer an engine stop/start feature like that used in many gas/electric hybrid vehicles. This replaces the normal alternator with a combined starter and generator that shuts off the engine to save fuel at stoplights and provides near-instantaneous restarts on applying the accelerator. It's not a new idea--certain Euro-market Volkswagens offered this back in the 1970s--but it will be a big plus for anyone struggling to cope with sky-high gas prices. (Incidentally, European BMW Minis already offer stop/start, and there's talk that U.S.-market models will soon get it, too.) Another nice-but-not-new idea is the 500's fold-flat front passenger seat with a storage bin beneath a flip-up cushion.

The whimsical '50s-simple interior is notable as a fashion statement, with a dashboard and steering wheel finished to match the body color and a profusion of circular elements including dash vents, door handles, speaker housings, and even the headrests.