Looks like everyone is trying to emulate MINI. That's good. I'd love nothing better than to see the highways and byways filled with MINI like cars and void of the behemoth monstrosities that have dominated in the past. This is a spicy looking ride!

http://www.latimes.com/classified/au...,2921323.photo

 

god thats Fugly!

 

It's growing on me. I want to see it in person though...

Donna

 

hmmm that's not doin' it for me.

 

ya not a big fan

 

Nope. Looks like ground effects and design cues shrunk down to look MINI-sized. Without the character lines to make it appealing. The first time you see a MINI, you grin. With the Fiat.... not so much.

 

Actually, Fiat is older than Mini I believe. And so is the 500....those things have been around for years...I used to borrow a friend of mine's 500. It was fun to drive. Just like the SMART car....

 

I saw a regular 500 a few months ago. I was grinning like a fool. It just looks like so much fun and from what I've read, the Abarth models make good on that appearance.

 

This new Fiat 500 & the original new MINI were designed by the same guy, Frank Stephenson.

 

eww.


*throws up*

 

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/03/p...arth-esseesse/

I like it, and they were totally cute and grin inducing when we saw them driving around in Europe, as much (if not more then) the R56 for sure

Great retro sloping hatch lines evoking the original

 

Here's a funny limited edition version by Diesel (there is also a Hamman car, other versions having fun with it)

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/22/f...ale-in-europe/

 

If they bring the SS here id trade in my MINI for it for sure.

 

I guess it looks better in person?

 

That guy is a genius. The new Fiat 500, is one of the best looking new cars. The aero kit on the Abarth could be a little more conservative, but on the bright side you could swap it out for the standard Fiat 500 body parts and still keep the Abarth perfromance parts.

 

nabeshin, your girl has a headache today?

 

 

"Not tonight baby....I have a headache and it's this >---< big"...

 

I think it's easy to see similarities between the 500 and the MINI; I'm not surprised they were conceived by the same designer. I still prefer the rounded lines of the MINI over the sharp, angular contours of the 500.

However, I do think it would be cool to see these on our roads. I think it's great that manufacturers are giving us more options from which to choose! The OP hit the nail on the head: small cars with small footprints are a welcome alternative.

 

Yep, Fiat has been making versions of the 500 for decades. They are in no way new to this style of car. I saw new and old Fiats all over the place in France and I LOVE them. I wold buy a new 500 in a second.

 

okay fine i take back what i said earlier.
lol.

after looking at it and seeing the diff pictures at the diff angles...
i have to admit.
the fiat 500 does look purrttyyy niiice.
seriously

 

Just followed up on this thread.

Nice to know you guys notice when I change the picture.

 

I notice too.

Regarding the OP.... at first I thought the banner said "Aaaaaaarrrgh!!!!" which would be just about right, IMHO...

 

Not as Fugly as this-

VW Turtle mobile- kinda realistic head.

The Fiat 500 looks OK to me.

What about this Mazda?
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/mazda...ncept/1017036/

 

Dude, that's the biggest CAI I've ever seen.