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While sitting through the new Pitbull-scored Fiat 500 ad, a model at :49 seconds in caught my eye – it looks a lot like the leaked photos of the 500T, which supposedly carries a version of the Abarth’s 1.4L turbo engine.
I’ll let you be the judge and tell me if I’m wrong, but the resemblance is uncanny. The Abarth-style bumper is clearly visible in the shot. So did Fiat goof, or was this intentional?
15 Comments on “QOTD: Did Fiat Just Inadvertently Reveal The 500T?...”
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Quite intentional I’m sure…
This is one of the better brand image ads I’ve seen in a long time. Its the best (and only) way this brand will establish itself in the US for the long term.
I don’t know, before the commentary at the end I thought they were equating the 500 with Lemmings jumping to their death in the ocean.
Exactly what I thought.
+1 on the lemmings!
Totally intentional.
Probably intentional. Will the 500T slot beneath the Abarth? Will make the pricing interesting, as the Sport comes in at $17,500 and the Abarth comes at $22,500. I’m guessing $20,500 for the 500T with what, around 135 HP?
The rumor is that the Sport model is going to go away. So you would have the Pop (base) and Lounge 500, the Sport 500T, and the Abarth.
They leaked the 500X, I dunno why they’d keep the 500T a secret.
In all honestly this looks like a planned face-lift of sorts, I don’t see why anyone would want a diet Abarth.
http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/04/2012-fiat-500-abarth-sold-out/
Maybe if you weren’t able to get an Abarth, a relatively similar 500 would appeal to you.
Thanks Derek, the ad made me laugh. A cheeky little convertible, turbo 500 for around 22k? It’d make me think.
Derek,
That might be what I saw recently in the Detroit area. It was a 500 with camo cladding over the front and rear valances.
Wouldn’t it be more accurate to show Fiat 500s immigrating with coyote escorts, through drug tunnels, or starting wildfires while camping in the wilderness?
I have a real soft spot for FIAT’s — owned a few back in the day, and would absolutely be ecstatic to have the opportunity to purchase a new version of the old 124 Spider / Coupe or X1/9 / 128sl.
That said, given their propensity to rust back then, I’m not sure that portraying them as arriving in America after a salt-water bath is such a great idea. ;-)
It could also just have been an Abarth without the “stripes and mirrors” option. Yes, they are available without the contrasting mirrors and stripes along the bottom of the car. Makes for a nice “sleeper,” I think. That’s why I ordered mine that way.
Ah, but it’s still not the Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari (despite the name, it’s still a Fiat 500 underneath) that lists for US$100K at the local Fiat Caffe (where one can have lunch next to one’s favourite 500).