Fiat has announced that production of the 2015MY versions of the 500 Abarth, 500 Abarth Cabrio and 500 Turbo that are available in North America with an optional six-speed automatic transmission has begun at its plant in Toluca, Mexico, with deliveries beginning later this summer.
New for 2015, Abarth’s optional six-speed automatic transmission is mated to a 1.4-liter MultiAir Turbo engine producing 157 horsepower and 183 lb-ft (248 Nm) of torque. The gearbox has been reinforced with more clutch plates and a more robust heat treatment to allow for higher torque capability.
Fiat says the Sport mode calibration allows for an even more engaged driving experience with special features such as fuel-cut upshifts, rev-matching downshifts, brake-assist downshifts, corner gear hold and fast-off gear hold, as well as a more aggressive pedal map.
For the 2015 model year, the full Fiat 500 lineup gets interior updates such as an instrument panel with a 7-inch high-definition color display, a redesigned center console that features a new cup holder design and an additional USB port that is fully functional and integrated with the radio. The 2015 Fiat 500 models will also include Bluetooth streaming audio in addition to the already standard Bluetooth phone connectivity.
Fiat sales in the U.S. rose 18 percent in May, its best ever month since the brand returned to the market in 2011. May was the brand’s sixth-consecutive month of year-over-year sales gains. Sales for the Fiat 500 Abarth lineup have increased by more than 16 percent during 2014.
By Dan Mihalascu
PHOTO GALLERY
