This is what I'm trying to get my sticky hands on for a long weekend ...there's a couple running around the compound...I'm praying that big Bob see the light and command GM bring this over so I can order a silver one...

 

I hate you! I feel in love with the 500's in France and I want one so bad. I'll buy one in a second if they are sold here (at a decent price, of course).

A photo I took...




Pleeeease tell me they are going to be available to the rest of us eventually

 

I told you

 

I'd really love it if I could get past the front end. It's so...plain.

 

It was designed by the same guy, Frank Stephenson.

That is very cool, so when you say studio, what kind of studio? And post some interior pics, the 500 has a pretty cool interior.

 

It's a MINI competitor in style only, and of course the designer connection. There is a hotter version on the way for 2009, the Abarth, but with only 120 -150hp it will still be slower than the S.

 

Luigi is modeled on the original Fiat 500, so that's not coincidental.

That was 40 years ago. Remember that around that time Minis were being built by British Leyland, so obviously things can change.

The Abarth model weighs about 450 pounds less than a Cooper S hardtop so it should be a lot of fun regardless.

 

if it ever some statedside..i will be willing to put my money down

 

How'd you overcome the urge to mod the hell out of the thing?

 

The manufacturer plate reminds me who cuts my pay check...

 

Gee, in that case the Fiat could almost be the start of a 10 step program for you!

Really though, I'm happy to see Fiat back in the US. Loved the X1/9's and 124 Spyders. Blew them completely off in my MGB, but I liked them anyway.

 

Thats awesome! Too bad not the Abarth huh?

Not sure what trim level that one has but I saw some really nice interiors when in Europe last yeasr

 

<---- officially jealous.

and what do you do for a living that you get to play with these toys? and are they hiring???

any chance of some size comparison shots? i am curious to see how it compares to the MINI in size.

 

Really? If it wasn't for a family to support, I'd rather be working for myself...I design cars for GM...did it for Ford once upon a time...those were the good old days...while at Ford, I got to drive a 308 Ferrari, Testa Rosa, Lotus Esprite Turbo, Honda Beat (tinest mid engine ever!), Ausi Falcon GT, some Toyota with production scissor doors, Carrera 6 and whole lot of other right handers that I can't recall...

The Mini and the 500 are both "B" segment vehicles and are roughtly the same size...500 a bit taller...

 

Wow. I'm jealous too! It's too bad I don't have any design skills. I wouldn't mind aiding in the development of new vehicles, but I have no artistic abilities. The most I could do is put vehicles under extreme climate/condition testing, being that I'm in Alaska. We actually see test mules up here from time to time, mostly the German companies like VW, Audi, BMW, and Porsche...

Do you think they would have any use for a guy with education as a Auto/Heavy Equipment Mechanic and in the Computer Science fields?

 

Trust me...from just what you described, sound more interesting than my day to day LOL...

 

yeah, no artistic ability here either. i wouldnt mind working with test mules. i dont think i would have any issue waking up every morning knowing i had to go beat the holy hell out of a preproduction car.

 

LOL. I quit my former job as a "Light and Heavy Equipment Mechanic" at a US Coast Guard Motorpool nearly two years ago. I don't mind wrenching, but I couldn't see doing that for 30 years. My body has suffered enough abuse from just 5 years of it.

So I decided to pursue a career in the more recent of my two degrees: now I'm a "Microcomputer/Network Tech II" at a Fish and Game office. Nice, clean desk job, though a bit boring unless I'm out flying to one of my summer field offices.

I wish I could work in the automotive/heavy equipment field, but just not as a mechanic. I'd like to make my two degrees work together somehow...

 

Sid, that is interesting, I didn't know you worked for GM. So what are you guys doing with the 500? Is it for comparison sake on some new GM B car in the works? GM is doing a lot of good stuff these days, I've been really impressed with their new cars.

 

Small cars is in these days THANK GOD All MIGHTY!!! I was about quit designing for GM due to SUV anaphylactic shock...

GM's already has a bunch of Mini killers over seas such as the above Opel OPC...they just need to ship it over ASAP!!!!

 

Amen to that. GM has some really good stuff in Europe under the Opel/Vauxhall name. They need to bring more of those cars here. I think they really messed up with the Astra. It's such a good car abroad, and we get a very watered down version of it with no ability to option it up to the equipment levels the Europeans are used to.

 

Exactly...the Astra is a beautiful car...too bad about not bring the "HOT" hatch over...dumb a$$es...

 

Sid,
Why did they stop selling the Opel in the US. I had a '75 Opel 1900, kind of BMW 2002ish, it was a great car, drove it's wheels off. Won a number of Autocrosses after doing suspension work. They made really nice cars.
Chuck

 

I want one, but ordered a R8, my son wants a R34 to import :(

 

Simple...everytime we enthusiasts demand that the big three bring over their cool cars from Europe, the vast majority of zee "Americans" ignore them and they fail...the Opel "Speedster" is our version of the Lotus Elise (same chassis) but they're not ever going to bring it over because there's no market...at least not big enough for GM to justify the cost of importing it...