fiat

Fiat sealed the deal with Irish solar manufacturer SolarPrint, becoming the latest carmaker to add solar panels to the car roofs that will power onboard devices. Using low-cost photovoltaic material to offset parasitic drain from energy-hungry components, such as air conditioning and heating systems, is expected to reduce fuel consumption by up to 15 percent, according to an article in SiliconRepublic.

Audi, Volkswagen, and Toyota already employ similar technology in some vehicles to keep them cool while the engine is off.

Though the article didn't say in which vehicles the solar panels will be incorporated, the electric version of … Read more

TURIN, Italy--A plan to revive Alfa Romeo as it nears its 100th birthday is shaping up, and Chrysler Group has an important role.

Sergio Marchionne, CEO of Chrysler and Fiat, made a strong commitment to Fiat's money-losing sporty brand during a presentation last week of Fiat's five-year strategy. Here are highlights of the plan:

-- Sales of Alfa vehicles at Chrysler Group dealerships in the United States start in the second half of 2012.

-- In 2014, North America will account for 85,000 of Alfa's 500,000 global sales.

-- Fiat wants to transform the brand … Read more

DETROIT--Chrysler Group said on Monday it would introduce an all-electric Fiat 500 to the U.S. market in 2012 and drop plans to develop a hybrid 2011 Ram pickup truck.

The electric Fiat 500 will hit the U.S. market at least a year after the all-electric Nissan Leaf, which is to debut in late 2010.

As it was announcing work on the Fiat 500, Chrysler also said it was dropping plans to develop a Ram pickup truck for 2011.

"After closely evaluating the response to hybrid pickups in the marketplace, the company could not formulate an appropriate business … Read more

Ferrari and Porsche do a couple of hot hybrids; we have to love VW's Polo GTI; and a pickup truck? Also, Abarth hots up some cool Fiats and we give a listen to the Lotus Evora hybrid--yes, a listen.

• Ferrari's 599 hybrid concept

• Lotus Evora 414E hybrid concept

• Nissan Juke

• Fiat Abarth 500 cabriolet

• Smart ForTwo iPhone app

DETROIT--We've seen a growing number of electric cars at auto shows over the last few years, but the 2010 Detroit show has more electrics from major brands than ever before. It is true that most are concepts, but it points to the fact that automakers are preparing for the future.

Nissan and Mitsubishi both had production-ready cars on display, models slated to launch later this year. Tesla also had a significant display at the show, with its Model S sedan showing the company can produce practical electric car with space for family and friends. Audi showed a new version … Read more

DETROIT--Since Chrysler was absorbed by Fiat's global car empire, we've been waiting impatiently to see what direction the now Italian-owned company's cars would take. Our first clue came at the 2010 Detroit auto show, in the form of a new Chrysler model lacking a name or any publicity, but sporting a suspicious-looking grille.

This Chrysler is a Lancia Delta in disguise, a car sold in Europe as a mammoth family wagon, but appearing more compact in the U.S. Actually, we like the form factor of this Chrysler Delta, with its stylish curving lines framing practical interior … Read more

DETROIT -- With federal mileage standards rising, automakers next week will show a fresh group of fuel-efficient vehicles at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Ford will unveil the redesigned production Focus, and Honda will show the production version of the CR-Z hybrid hatchback. Toyota and Volkswagen will roll out hybrid concepts; Audi, BMW and Fiat will display electric concepts.

Show organizers are arranging various electric cars, including one from China's BYD Auto, in a space on the show floor called Electric Avenue.

But high performance will get its due. Judging by vehicles at the show, performance … Read more

Cabrios and bikinis aren't just great for summer, they can also keep you warm in the middle of winter. In this video, a spontaneous bikini contest burst at Koningsplein, a town square in Amsterdam.

Sergio Marchionne's ambitious plan to revive Chrysler with a wave of new products divides the world into halves--one set of vehicles engineered by Chrysler for itself and Fiat and another set engineered by Fiat for itself and Chrysler.

The alliance starts to bear fruit in 2012 and gathers momentum with a spate of launches in 2013.

Marchionne said this month that the two automakers were now "inextricably intertwined."

The greatest cross-pollination of Chrysler and Fiat expertise will take place in the middle of the market. Chrysler engineers are taking a European Fiat platform called the C-Evo and … Read more