Fiat has officially announced that it will unveil the Fiat 500 facelift on July 4, 2015. This date has special significance for the Italian automaker, since it launched the original Fiat 500 hatchback on the same day in 1957, and kept its existing model for public display in 2007.
Expect a few cosmetic updates, the 2016 Fiat 500 facelift will remain largely unchanged. On the exterior, the hatchback will feature 500 X-inspired LED headlights, a new set of 15-inch and 16-inch alloy rim designs, modified front and rear bumpers and LED taillights. Fiat will also offer a ‘Car Dressing’ customization option.
Other features on offer will be new dashboard, new fabric and leather upholstery, steering wheel with new chrome inserts, a glove compartment, new window operation switches, and a FCA’s UConnect infotainment system with 5-inch touchscreen, similar to the Alfa Romeo Mito. It will also get new front disc brakes.
Power for the Fiat 500 facelift will come from the same 1.2-litre, 8V and 0.9 TwinAir engines that do duty to the current model. While the former delivers 69PS with 102Nm, the latter is tuned for two states of power – 85PS and 105PS. Transmissions on offer will be a 5-speed manual and a 5-speed Dualogic AMT.
According to reports, the company will start manufacturing the 500 Club and Lounge variants on August 20, while the Pop and Popstar trims will be produced from September 2015.
For people not in the know, Fiat is planning to bring-in a couple new products in India, including Fiat Punto Evo Abarth, Abarth 595 Competizione, Jeep Cherokee and Wrangler.
