Fiat 500 Cattiva and Fiat 500c GQ Edition: Two Designer Cars for Less Than the Price of an Hermes Birkin

The Fiat 500 has to be the closest thing to a designer handbag that a car can possible be. It’s as much an accessory as it is a car. Unsurprisingly, Fiat is no dummy when it comes to their cars. They know the personality and soul of the Fiat 500. And, they’re very good at capitalizing on its fashionable nature. Take for instance the Fiat 500 Gucci edition as one example. Or, the nearly perfect Fiat 500 Abarth commercial from the Super Bowl… the one with the Italian supermodel with the scorpion tattoo. Yeah, I thought you’d remember that one.

Well, now Fiat has two more fashionable versions of the 500, the Fiat 500 Cattiva that will hit dealers fourth quarter of this year and the Fiat 500c GQ Edition available in 2014.

Fiat 500 Cattiva
The Fiat 500 Cattiva is supposed to be more of a badass Cinquencento. In Italian, Cattiva describes something both naughty and cool. So, to make the 500 more Cattiva-ish, Fiat started with a 500 Sport and 500 Turbo models and added some street cred. Blacked-out lights all around, 16 inch Hyper Nero black wheels, Gloss Nero roof, and a spoiler give the Fiat 500 Cattiva a more aggressive look.

Available in Rosso (red), Rame (copper), Nero Puro (black), Agrento (silver), Granito Lucente (granite crystal), Bianco (white) and Luce Blue (light blue) with a gray and black interior, the Fiat 500 Cattiva will start at $18,350 for the 101 horse, 98 pound-feet 500 Sport and $20,350 for the 131 horse, 150 pound-feet 500 Turbo. The Fiat 500 Cattiva will be available in the fourth quarter of 2013.

Fiat 500c GQ Edition
Fiat took a 500c at added the GQ magazine logo everywhere… the shift knob, exterior badging, seat headrests, everywhere. Powered by a 1.4 liter MultiAir Tubo engine putting out 160 horsepower and 170 pound-feet of torque routed through a five-speed manual transmission, the Fiat 500c GQ Edition will go from 0-60 in the low 7 seconds. The Fiat 500c GQ Edition will come to a dealership near you in early 2014.
Press Release Fiat Cattiva
A “NAUGHTY” FIAT 500 TO DEBUT AT CONCORSO ITALIANO

August 13, 2013 , Auburn Hills, Mich. – In Italian, “Cattiva” can describe a person or situation that is naughty yet cool. With that inspiration in mind, FIAT designers developed a standout, factory-customized Cinquecento with a “blacked out” look and an aggressive demeanor: the Fiat 500 Cattiva.

“The FIAT brand is all about personalization and self-expression,” said Jason Stoicevich, Head of FIAT Brand for North America, Chrysler Group LLC. “Now, Fiat 500 customers have a chance to showcase a different side of their personalities with the special-edition 500 Cattiva exuding a devilish designed-for-the-street look.”

New Fiat 500 Cattiva provides the 500 Sport and 500 Turbo models with a factory-tuned look
Inspired by the FIAT Design concept that debuted at the 2013 North American International Auto Show, the limited-production Fiat 500 Cattiva adds more excitement and tuned style to the 2013 Fiat 500 Sport and more powerful Fiat 500 Turbo models.

The aggressive styling approach starts with blacked-out headlamp, taillamp and parking lamp bezels and unique 16-inch Hyper Nero painted aluminum wheels with all-season performance tires. A uniquely painted Gloss Nero roof and performance spoiler enhance the silhouette of the athletically designed Fiat 500 Sport, or the performance-styled 500 Turbo with a bi-color look. Exterior paint colors for the 2013 Fiat 500 Cattiva include Rosso (red), Rame (copper), Nero Puro (straight black), Argento (silver), Granito Lucente (granite crystal), Bianco (white) and Luce Blue (light blue, 500 Sport only).

Inside, the Fiat 500 Cattiva features a Nero interior environment paired with Nero/Grigio (black/gray) cloth sport seats with Argento (silver) accent stitching. For a premium look and feel, Nero leather-trimmed seats are also available. Finishing the interior is a Matte Nero instrument panel for an understated look, while a Nero leather-wrapped shift knob and sport steering wheel are hand-stitched with Argento accent thread for added for detail.

The 2013 Fiat 500 Cattiva based on the 500 Sport includes the innovative 1.4-liter MultiAir® engine and fun-to-drive C514 five-speed manual transmission that deliver an EPA estimated 31 mpg city and 40 mpg highway. Like all FIAT products, engaging dynamics are essential, and the 500 Cattiva includes a driver selectable “Sport” mode on the instrument panel to unleash a more aggressive throttle map. Additionally, this naturally aspirated 500 Cattiva offers an optional six-speed automatic transmission with driver-selectable gear changes. With the six-speed automatic transmission, the driver can also select “Sport” mode on the instrument panel for a more aggressive shift schedule and a throttle map that improves engine responsiveness.

For the driving enthusiast, the Fiat 500 Cattiva based on the 500 Turbo includes the MultiAir Turbo engine and sport-tuned exhaust to deliver 34 percent more power (135 vs. 101 horsepower) and 53 percent more torque (150 vs. 98 lb.-ft.) compared to the naturally aspirated model. Also upgraded in the powertrain is the track-proven C510 five-speed manual transmission that includes an intermediate shaft with equal-length half shafts to mitigate torque steer. Additionally, brake performance is improved with semi-metallic brake linings at all four corners and larger 11.1-inch ventilated front rotors (up from 10.1-inch).

The 2013 Fiat 500 Cattiva will debut at Concorso Italiano, which takes place August 16 at Laguna Seca Golf Ranch in Monterey, California, and is scheduled to arrive at FIAT studios nationwide in the fourth quarter of this year. Pricing for the Fiat 500 Cattiva based on the 500 Sport model starts at $18,350, plus $800 destination charge. Pricing for the more powerful Fiat 500 Turbo based model starts at $20,350, plus $800 destination charge.

Press Release Fiat 500 GQ Edition
THE FIAT BRAND PARTNERS WITH CONDÉ NAST FOR THE LIMITED-EDITION FIAT 500C GQ EDITION

New 2014 Fiat 500c GQ Edition continues the brand’s tradition of premium, limited-production lifestyle cars for discerning customers
FIAT brand fashioned a GQ Edition Cinquecento with world-class performance and Italian design tailored with custom appointments
Special edition is powered by the 1.4-liter MultiAir® Turbo engine

August 16, 2013 , Auburn Hills, Mich. – Surrounded by some of the most influential Italian automotive designs, Concorso Italiano provided the perfect setting for the FIAT brand to debut its latest Cinquecento (500) cabrio model: the powerful yet tailored 2014 Fiat 500c GQ Edition. GQ’s style leadership of the modern man inspired the FIAT brand to create a new Fiat 500 variant that continues the brand’s tradition of fashionable, limited-production lifestyle cars for the discerning customer.

“The new Fiat 500c GQ Edition showcases the design talents of the FIAT brand and the inspiration of the style authority of GQ, to highlight how the brand continues to push the envelope when it comes to lifestyle partnerships with like-minded brands,” said Jason Stoicevich, Head of FIAT Brand for North America, Chrysler Group LLC. “The FIAT brand created a limited-production edition with custom appointments that reflect an individual who always looks sharp, lives smart and finds freedom through the precision and turbocharged power of a driver’s car.”

“This partnership represents what Condé Nast does best – innovative and strategic custom solutions designed to engage our audience of super-influencers,” said Lou Cona, President of the Condé Nast Media Group and Chief Revenue Officer, Condé Nast.

Fiat 500c GQ Edition: designed for the athletic yet style-conscious lifestyle of the modern man

FIAT brand designers strived to capture the essence of the GQ man by creating a Cinquecento that reflects an athletic yet style-conscious lifestyle. Hence, the new 2014 Fiat 500c GQ Edition incorporates world-class performance and Italian design, fashioned with appointments for a sharply tailored appearance.

Outside, the Fiat 500c GQ Edition requires a more pronounced front fascia with larger air intakes to maximize airflow to the 1.4-liter MultiAir® Turbo engine. Performance-styled side sills provide this Cinquecento’s iconic silhouette with a more athletic profile. For a one-of-a-kind look, new 16-inch split five-spoke aluminum wheels feature a sculptural design and are finished in Hyper Nero (black) with a Rosso (red) center cap and accenting inner backbone. A cloth-top mounted spoiler extends the roofline and contributes to deliver the downforce needed for spirited handling. Below, a rear-fascia diffuser neatly integrates the dual exhaust system. Completing the performance look are Gloss Nero headlamp, taillamp and parking lamp bezels, along with a distinctive “GQ 500” badge located on the B-pillar.

With just the push of a button, the Fiat 500c GQ Edition’s power-operated cloth top retracts up to the rear spoiler during speeds up to 60 mph (a midway point can be chosen by pressing the button anytime in between). Press the roof button again, and the premium Nero fabric roof will fold all the way open and tuck neatly behind the rear head restraints (up to 50 mph).

Inside, the Fiat 500c GQ Edition integrates functional performance appointments, premium materials and unique color treatments. At the forefront, a thick-rim three-spoke steering wheel is wrapped in Nero leather and features a contrasting Steam (white) inner leather ring. A large concentric instrument cluster with 160-mph speedometer, tachometer and trip computer sits behind the steering wheel and features a Nero leather-wrapped cluster brow finished with Tungsten accent stitching. At the center, a Nero shift knob is sewn together with Tungsten accent thread. For a touch of sophistication, GQ Edition-specific satin chrome interior accents throughout provide an upscale look.

The Fiat 500c GQ Edition features specially designed sport seats that accentuate style and strength, like a hand-tailored tuxedo. Nero leather is wrapped tightly to the contoured seat bolsters. Alcantara inserts and a Steam leatherette center stripe on the seat cushion provide added texture and contrast, while Tungsten accent stitching and a “GQ” embossed in the seatbacks exude craftsmanship. For even more fashionable style, the instrument panel bezel is paired to the exterior color, with a matte finish.

To make sure that the style appointments are matched by an athletic performance, the new Fiat 500c GQ Edition features the track-proven 1.4-liter MultiAir Turbo engine delivering 160 horsepower and up to 170 lb.-ft. of torque to drop 0-to-60 mph bursts to the low 7-second range. The engine is matched with a performance five-speed manual transmission.

The 2014 Fiat 500c GQ Edition will be available in Nero Puro (straight black), Argento (silver), Granito Lucente (granite crystal) and Bianco (white) exterior colors. This hot new cabrio is scheduled to arrive to FIAT studios nationwide in early 2014.