Fiat to relaunch 500

Fiat plans to relaunch its flagship compact marquee Cinquecento, popularly known as Fiat 500, in India in the next few months. With the successful entry of Volkswagen’s iconic Beetle, which has surpassed original sales targets and created a flutter in the luxury small car space Fiat too plans a similar sales.

Fiat had launched Cinquecento in 2008, creating the market for high-end hatchbacks that costs as much as premium sedans. But its marketing efforts failed to lift Cinquecento sales and only 68 units were sold till date. In contrast, Volkswagen sold over 300 units of Beetle since its launch last November, with over 100 units sold in the May-June period alone.

Fiat 500 currently comes with 1.3 multijet engine which also powers the Fiat Punto, Linea and Tata Indica and Manza.

Fiat has recently launched the 500 with its all new TwinAir engine. India may get the new engine which is a 900cc turbocharged two-cylinder motor with 84bhp.