Oscars Go Green: Fiat 500e

Chevrolet and Fiat will be in the spotlight on Oscar night with events and promotions that highlight the Fiat 500e electric car and the Chevy Volt hybrid-electric vehicle. Fiat has been conducting a promotion called, “Into the Green,” to build excitement for its 500e. Two of those events are held prior to the Oscars telecast. In order to raise money for the Motion Picture and Television Fund, Fiat will let celebrities drive 500e models for several months. After that, the cars will be auctioned to raise money for the fund.

Chevy Volt: Video

How many celebrities can you spot in the above video clip from the 2010 Global Green USA conference party? If you caught tennis star Serena Williams, then you are on the right track. In fact, the event featured the Chevy Volt, though it talked up electric and hybrid vehicles in general. As one of the stars pointed out, the party was about the cars, not the celebrities. A GM rep was on hand to let the stars take test drives and be photographed with the Volt. That event took place in the early days of the Chevy Volt’s rollout, when no one had any idea how the car would be viewed by the automotive press and the public. Now, three years later, Chevy is not the only carmaker tagging along on pre-Oscar publicity to get the word out about alternative transportation. Fiat has apparently decided that its 500e, one of the newer EVs on the block, could use a healthy dose of celebrity schmoozing on Oscar eve.

Fiat 500e, Chevy Volt

This year’s Global Green USA pre-Oscar party featured celeb Ed Begley, Jr., who drives a Chevy Volt. The Volt, Cadillac ELR, and all-electric Spark EV were talked up at the event, which is held annually to promote green initiatives.

For more about Chevrolet and Fiat, see the automakers’ official corporate websites:
http://www.chevrolet.com/volt
http://www.fiat.com

Larry Bell

Larry Bell + is My Perfect Automobile’s Genius Author, but we call him ‘The Expert‘. Here is his full Blog: My Perfect Automobile. Larry lives in San Jose, CA and is also the Expert Author. Larry is a lover of the Automobile as well and shares a passion for Concept, Hybrid and Electric Cars…

Fiat 500e

Consumer Reports is out with a video review of the Fiat 500e that lauds the vehicle’s makers for creating an EV that compares quite favorably with other entries in the electric transportation market. With a 240-volt charger, the 500e replenishes its battery in about four hours. The car scored points for its ample battery, which is a 24 kWh behemoth that sports a 6.6 kWh on-board charging system.

Fiat 500e: Video

The review of Fiat’s electric 500e is fun to watch, because it really takes an honest look at the vehicle from the inside and outside, on the road and while parked. The driver notes the several differences in handling between the electric Fiat and the combustion versions. Giving the car high marks for acceleration, power and styling, the Consumer Reports test-driver delivers an informal verdict that the Fiat 500e is “a cool little car.” With a powerful electric battery for such a small EV, the 500e also features a fast recharge time and generous range. The bright, comfortable interior stands out, and Fiat added a few touches on the exterior of the 500e to differentiate it from the rest of its 500s. Like the other cars in the Fiat 500 lineup, the EV features smallish cargo and seating space, but because the huge battery is underneath the vehicle, it does not steal any cubic-inches from the interior or trunk.

Fiat 500e

Though smaller than the Nissan Leaf and Ford Focus EV, the Fiat 500e competes equitably with both of those cars in terms of range and power. For drivers who can make do with a smallish EV, Fiat’s newest entry into the electric vehicle segment is a sporty-looking, comfortable, and dependable choice.

For more about the Fiat 500e electric car, see the company’s official page dedicated to the vehicle, at:
http://www.fiatusa.com/500e

Larry Bell

Larry Bell + is My Perfect Automobile’s Genius Author, but we call him ‘The Expert‘. Here is his full Blog: My Perfect Automobile. Larry lives in San Jose, CA and is also the Expert Author. Larry is a lover of the Automobile as well and shares a passion for Concept, Hybrid and Electric Cars…

Fiat 500e interior view

The EPA has given the new Fiat 500e electric car a combined 116 mpg-e fuel efficiency rating, which places the newest EV above all other U.S. electric cars but two. With 25 dealerships in California, Fiat plans to begin selling the 500e in that state sometime after March. A specific breakout of the EPA data shows the 500e achieving 108 mpg-e in city driving and 122 mpg-e on the highway.

Fiat 500e: Video

The celebrities were out in force for this special Fiat 500e event, meticulously documented in the video clip above. Watch as Ron Howard and others ooh and aah over the tiny electric wonder, a car with more personality than most other four-wheeled inanimate objects. Fiat has been among a handful of companies that use celebrity endorsement for a major launch. In this case, the company went all out and actually snagged more than a half-dozen A-list stars to talk about the newest, cutest, EV on the market. The recent LA Auto Show was the venue for much of the celeb schmoozing. That way, most of the glitterati did not have to travel very far for their face-time with the Fiat 500e. In any case, if you are in the mood for a bit of stargazing, see if you can name all the celebrities in the clip. Good luck.

Fiat 500e

The Honda Fit EV and the Scion iQ EV have slightly better combined mpg-e ratings than the Fiat 500e, coming in at 118 and 121, respectively. When it comes to highway numbers, however, the Fiat 500e holds the best rating with its 122 mpg-e. The car boasts a range of nearly 90 miles per charge. The non-electric version of the Fiat 500 has been on sale in the U.S. for two years.

For more information about all the vehicles Fiat makes, see the company’s official corporate website:
http://www.fiatusa.com

Larry Bell

Larry Bell + is My Perfect Automobile’s Genius Author, but we call him ‘The Expert‘. Here is his full Blog: My Perfect Automobile. Larry lives in San Jose, CA and is also the Expert Author. Larry is a lover of the Automobile as well and shares a passion for Concept, Hybrid and Electric Cars…

BMW i3 concept electric car

Amid the hoopla of the LA Auto Show, it is easy to forget that this is one of the greenest shows in history. As the big event winds down to its final weekend, three electric cars stand out as having made their mark on California’s largest vehicular gala. The BMW i3 Coupe, Chevrolet’s Spark EV, and the Fiat 500e were all hits with the public and media. Chevy and Fiat will begin selling their new EV models sometime after the middle of 2013. Spark’s sticker after rebates and tax incentives will be about $25,000. Fiat has not yet revealed the pricing for its eye-catching 500e.

LA Auto Show: Video

For a brief review of the BMW i3 Coupe concept electric car, fresh from its debut at the LA Auto Show, watch the following clip and see if you agree with the reviewer. He says the car’s strong point is its design and range, which can be boosted from 100 miles-per-charge up to 120 miles with utilization of the Eco Pro mode. There is even a more miserly driving mode (Eco Pro Plus) that turns off all unnecessary functions to save energy and boost electric range by a few more miles. The rear-wheel drive EV does not look like a sports car. It looks like a really snazzy EV that came from the mind of BMW’s design and engineering team. One of the stars of this year’s LA Auto Show, watch for the BMW i3 electric coupe to be a hit once it lands in showrooms sometime next year. Sticker price is expected to be in the $48,000 range.

For anything and everything about the LA Auto Show, whether you want to attend on the final weekend of 2012 or need info about next year’s event, see the official website below:
http://www.laautoshow.com

Larry Bell

Larry Bell + is My Perfect Automobile’s Genius Author, but we call him ‘The Expert‘. Here is his full Blog: My Perfect Automobile. Larry lives in San Jose, CA and is also the Expert Author. Larry is a lover of the Automobile as well and shares a passion for Concept, Hybrid and Electric Cars…

Fiat’s electric 500e

The Fiat 500e electric car made its debut at the LA Auto Show this week amid speculation that the small, attractive model could quickly become one of the industry’s most popular electric vehicles. The 111-horsepower motor runs off a lithium battery that needs only four hours for a charge, using a 240-volt connection. Fiat says the car will have a city range of more than 100 miles per charge.

Fiat Electric: Video

The video link below features some hard-to-find footage of the new Fiat 500e in action, rather than the typical montage of still shots. After all, it’s all about motion with this ground-breaking entry from Fiat. The diminutive EV tools around roads, nooks, and crannies like the efficient little molecule of a car that it is. Featuring the distinctive Fiat look and an all-electric drivetrain, you will see why the international automotive media has made such a fuss over the advent of the world’s freshest electric car.

Fiat 500e

Boasting a 13 percent improvement in aerodynamics compared to its brother 500′s in the lineup, Fiat used wind tunnel analysis to tweak the EV’s design and added a 7-inch computer screen to the interior dashboard amenities. When it comes to fuel economy, the Fiat 500e achieves 116 mpg-e in the city and 100 mpg-e on the highway. Because of regenerative braking systems, EVs are able to show much stronger fuel efficiency in urban driving situations. Sticker price is still an unknown, but Fiat did say the 500e would start showing up in California showrooms sometime around April of 2013. The car’s expected closest competitors will likely be the Nissan Leaf and the Ford Focus EV, both of which are heavily supported by global advertising campaigns.

For more information about Fiat’s worldwide lineup of vehicles, see the automaker’s official corporate website:

http://www.fiat.com

Larry Bell

Larry Bell + is My Perfect Automobile’s Genius Author, but we call him ‘The Expert‘. Here is his full Blog: My Perfect Automobile. Larry lives in San Jose, CA and is also the Expert Author. Larry is a lover of the Automobile as well and shares a passion for Concept, Hybrid and Electric Cars…

LA Auto Show: Porsche 918 Spyder hybrid

Some of the hottest tech trends and sharpest concept cars will be on display at this week’s LA Auto Show, opening for media preview days on Wednesday and the public on Friday. Porsche will be unveiling its 2014 Cayman, which has already been deluged with press coverage. The Cayman and 23 other vehicles will make their world debut at the event.

LA Auto Show: Video

Ride and drive events have always been a part of the auto show circuit, but in recent years, they have become the focal point of numerous regional shows. Many Los Angeles residents, like those in Detroit and New York, attend the gigantic expositions with the primary goal of test-driving a half-dozen or so new cars. For many consumers, this is the best way to get a feel for the hottest products on the market and narrow their decisions down to one or two models. This year’s LA Auto Show offers extensive ride-and-drive opportunities, as the following video clip points out. Besides traditional, combustion vehicles, attendees can view, and test out, some of the newer offerings in the world of green transportation. The LA Auto Show has already carved out a reputation for itself as the premier global event for environmental transportation.

LA Auto Show

For green car enthusiasts, Chevy will finally pull back the veil on the Spark EV and Fiat will debut its anticipated 500e, an electric model based on the classic Fiat 500 architecture. Billed as the first major automotive event of the new model year, the LA Auto Show has more debuts, more green vehicles, and more exhibits, period, than any year in its long history. For tickets and more info, see the link below.

For a direct-connect to all the latest on the LA Auto Show, go to the source, the event’s official website:
http://www.laautoshow.com

Larry Bell

Larry Bell + is My Perfect Automobile’s Genius Author, but we call him ‘The Expert‘. Here is his full Blog: My Perfect Automobile. Larry lives in San Jose, CA and is also the Expert Author. Larry is a lover of the Automobile as well and shares a passion for Concept, Hybrid and Electric Cars…

Fiat 500e

The 2012 LA Auto Show will feature three fresh Fiat 500 vehicles, one of them the 500e electric car. The sub-compact’s specs have not been revealed by Fiat yet, but the EV will sport a new wheel style as well as a new front bumper. Fiat spokespersons have gone on record saying that the tiny EV will be in California showrooms sometime in 2013. One of the Fiat 500e’s main competitors will also debut at the LA event, namely the Chevy Spark EV, itself a major entry into the alternative fuel market by General Motors.

LA Auto Show: Video

Whether you plan to attend the LA Auto Show or not, get the inside scoop about the event in this interview with Brendan Flynn, the show’s communications director. From Nov. 30 to Dec. 9, the Los Angeles Convention Center will host the confab, which will feature at least 50 new model debuts as well as some astonishing concept vehicles. That is not even counting the “top secret” and unannounced debuts that are sure to stun media and show-goers alike. If you are wondering about the new surge of autonomous cars, want to know about the show in general, or just need to get clued in on what to expect, watch the entire interview with Brendan Flynn and you will be ready for the action at one of the biggest automotive events on earth. The LA Auto Show opens its doors to the public on Nov. 30. Press preview days are Nov. 28 and 29.

Fiat 500e

Fiat’s EV model, though it seems to be getting the lion’s share of media attention, will be accompanied to Los Angeles by the automaker’s 500L, which is a four-door, and the 500 Abarth convertible.

For all the latest about Fiat’s vehicles, see the company’s official corporate website:
http://www.fiatusa.com

Larry Bell

Larry Bell + is My Perfect Automobile’s Genius Author, but we call him ‘The Expert‘. Here is his full Blog: My Perfect Automobile. Larry lives in San Jose, CA and is also the Expert Author. Larry is a lover of the Automobile as well and shares a passion for Concept, Hybrid and Electric Cars…

LA Auto Show: Honda Fit EV made its debut at 2011 LA show

This year’s LA Auto Show, which is open to the public from Nov. 30 to Dec. 9, looks to have the largest green vehicle contingent in its history. Hybrids, EVs, natural gas cars, and clean diesel vehicles will populate the heavily attended show by the dozens. And it is not just the alternative fuels that will be making green waves in LA, but the ultra-efficient gas-misers as well. By many measures, consumer interest in such cars has risen more than 50 percent this past year, and shows no signs of letting up.

LA Auto Show: Video

Have a look at the following video for a quick summary of last year’s LA event. Each year, the LA Auto Show gets larger and larger, and has slowly built a reputation in the industry as being ‘the’ place to present new or concept alternative fuel vehicles. Many of the cars you see everyday had their debut at this event, and it continues to give the larger international shows a run for their money. Los Angeles has a long history of car culture, and the state is considered by many to be the cradle of green transportation. California was among the first areas on earth to provide special lanes for green vehicles.

LA Auto Show

In all, there will be more than 50 green cars on display at the 2012 LA Auto Show, many available for test drives. Audi, to cite one of many examples, is using this year’s event to break some major news about its clean diesel lineup, while Fiat will pull back the curtain on the all-new Fiat 500e electric car. Not to be left out, Ford will show its C-Max Energi plug-in hybrid, Focus Electric, and Fusion Energi plug-in. For fans of green vehicles, the LA Auto Show is a must-see as 2012 comes to a close.

For all the details about the upcoming LA Auto Show, see the event’s official website:
http://www.laautoshow.com

Larry Bell

Larry Bell + is My Perfect Automobile’s Genius Author, but we call him ‘The Expert‘. Here is his full Blog: My Perfect Automobile. Larry lives in San Jose, CA and is also the Expert Author. Larry is a lover of the Automobile as well and shares a passion for Concept, Hybrid and Electric Cars…

Jeep Grand Cherokee will get EcoDiesel engine

Chrysler has announced that it will introduce at least two major brands with clean diesel engines by the 2014 model year. Using a proprietary EcoDiesel badge, the company intends to sell its Jeep Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300 as clean diesel vehicles. While some industry experts see this move as a way for the company to meet upcoming fuel standards, others point out that Chrysler is merely attempting to compete with its rivals who are making waves with clean diesel technology, notably Volkswagen.

By 2016, the U.S. fuel standard will be 34.4 mpg. That number is very likely to rise again in 2025, to 56.5 mpg, though that part of the standard has not yet been finalized by the U.S. Congress. While all this diesel news is groundbreaking for U.S. consumers, it should be noted that Chrysler has already been selling diesel versions of its Jeep Grand Cherokee and the Chrysler 300 in Europe for some time.

With Fiat as majority owner of Chrysler Group LLC, many expect that other models will follow suit, with Chrysler offering perhaps up to a dozen clean diesel cars and trucks to American consumers by the end of the decade.

Chrysler’s Jeep Grand Cherokee

Since 2009, Fiat has been the majority owner of Chrysler Group LLC, which is Chrysler’s official name. Based in Auburn Hills, Michigan, the company opened its doors in 1925, and now sells several brands, the best known of which are Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler, Ram, SRT, Fiat, and Mopar. Between 2009 and the present time, Fiat slowly built up its ownership in Chrysler Group, which had just emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy in June, 2009. Now, Fiat owns almost 62 percent of the Michigan automaker. By 2014, plans are in place for Fiat to offer seven of its own brands in the U.S., while Chrysler name brands will sell in Europe.

For more information, see the official Chrysler LLC corporate website:
http://www.chryslergroupllc.com

Larry Bell

Larry Bell + is My Perfect Automobile’s Genius Author, but we call him ‘The Expert‘. Here is his full Blog: My Perfect Automobile. Larry lives in San Jose, CA and is also the Expert Author. Larry is a lover of the Automobile as well and shares a passion for Concept, Hybrid and Electric Cars…

Type of Car: Family cars
Engine Type: Front
Engine Size: 1368 ccm (83,06 cubic inches)
Car Engine Type: in-line, 4-cyl
Valves Per Cylinder: 4
Maximum Power
100.00 PS (73,63 kW or 98,51 HP) at 6000 Rev. per min.
Maximum Torque: 132 Nm (13,43 kgf-m or 96,91 ft.lbs) at 4250 Rev. per min.
Cylinder Size (Bore Stroke): 72.0 x 84.0 mm (2,79 x 3.3 inches)
Compression:
Top Speed: 182.0 km/h (112,53 mph)
Fuel Type: Gasoline, unleaded 95
Car Transmission: 6-speed auto or 5-speed manual
Car Power – Weight Ratio: 0.0995 PS/kg
Zero to Sixty MPH: 10.5 seconds
Car Drive: Front
Number of Seats: 4
Passenger Space: 4390 litres (1154,20 gallons)
Car Doors: 3
Country:
Front Tire:
Rear Tires:
Chasis: Hatchback
C02 Emissions:
Turn Circle:
Car Weight: 1005 kg (2204,52 pounds)
Towing Weight: 800 kg (1754,88 pounds)
Length: 3550 mm (139,10 inches)
Width: 1630 mm (63,88 inches)
Total Height: 1490 mm (58,41 inches)
Max Weight With Load: 1370 kg (3005,20 pounds)
Ground Clearance:
Wheel Base: 2310 mm (90,45 inches)
Coolant: Liquid
Front Break Type: Ventilated disks
Rear Breaks Type: Disks
Cargo Space: 185 litres (48,76 gallons)
Lubrication:
Leg Room:
Aerodynamics:
Hwy Fuel Efficiency:
Street/Hwy Fuel: 6.3 litres/100 km (37,15 miles per gallon)
City Fuel:
Fuel Tank Capacity: 35.0 litres (9,20 gallons)

Charles Verhoeff

Charles Verhoeff + is My Perfect Automobile’s Genius Webmaster and SEO Guy, but people call him Amazing.
Here is his full Bio: Charles Verhoeff. Charles Lives in Los Angeles, CA and is also the Owner of World Class Media. Charles is a lover of the Automobile as well and shares a passion for Concept and Electric Cars…

     

Fiat Campagnola 1977 – What is Under The Hood?

Make: Fiat
Model: Campagnola
Year: 1977

Type of Car:
Engine Type: Front
Engine Size: 1993 ccm (121,00 cubic inches)
Car Engine Type: in-line, 4-cyl
Valves Per Cylinder:
Maximum Power
80.00 PS (58,71 kW or 78,61 HP) at 4600 Rev. per min.
Maximum Torque: 148.00 Nm (15,02 kgf-m or 108,65 ft.lbs) at 2800 Rev. per min.
Cylinder Size (Bore Stroke): 84.0 x 90.0 mm (3,28 x 3.5 inches)
Compression: 8.6:1
Top Speed:
Fuel Type: Gasoline
Car Transmission: Manual, 4-speed
Car Power – Weight Ratio: 0.0497 PS/kg
Zero to Sixty MPH:
Car Drive: 4WD
Number of Seats: 7
Passenger Space: 3630 litres (954,21 gallons)
Car Doors: 2
Country:
Front Tire: 740-65
Rear Tires: 740-65
Chasis:
C02 Emissions:
Turn Circle: 11 m (423,07 inches)
Car Weight: 1610 kg (3531,65 pounds)
Towing Weight:
Length: 3780 mm (148,06 inches)
Width: 1590 mm (62,29 inches)
Total Height: 1960 mm (76,81 inches)
Max Weight With Load:
Ground Clearance: 260 mm (10,15 inches)
Wheel Base: 2310 mm (90,45 inches)
Coolant: Liquid
Front Break Type:
Rear Breaks Type:
Cargo Space:
Lubrication:
Leg Room:
Aerodynamics:
Hwy Fuel Efficiency:
Street/Hwy Fuel:
City Fuel:
Fuel Tank Capacity: 57.0 litres (14,98 gallons)

Charles Verhoeff

Charles Verhoeff + is My Perfect Automobile’s Genius Webmaster and SEO Guy, but people call him Amazing.
Here is his full Bio: Charles Verhoeff. Charles Lives in Los Angeles, CA and is also the Owner of World Class Media. Charles is a lover of the Automobile as well and shares a passion for Concept and Electric Cars…