LA Auto Show what’s hot & what’s not: coolest debut 2012 FIAT 500

Fiat 500 debut 1

Tidbits: 101hp, 1.4-liter four-cylinder that makes 98 lb-ft of torque (FWD). Base price is $15,000. The FIAT 500 goes on sale January 2011 as a 2012 model.

Here’s a few “cool” facts:

1. It may only have a 100hp engine, but it only has to haul less than 2,500 lbs. AND it’s a FIAT so you can rev the crap out of it! And… AND it’s Italian, so the (built in Detroit) Multiair engine sounds cool.

2. It is a bit smaller than the MINI Cooper – BUT if feels bigger inside and the 500 uses space more efficiently while still having an interior that looks cool.

3. At just 15,000 bones – it’s significantly cheaper than the Mini and looks like it will be more affordable than the next “New” Beetle too. This means, for about $18,000, you can get a well featured FIAT 500 – or a bare to the bone Mini… is that cool or what?

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