Latest news with #HondaCR-Z
Business Mayor
13-05-2025
- Automotive
- Business Mayor
The Fiat 500 Could Be America's First Stick-Shift Hybrid In A Decade
Fiat will bring back some old-school tech to its retro-flavored city car when the 500 hybrid returns to the lineup later this year. In addition to offering an internal-combustion, mild-hybrid powertrain alongside the fully electric 500e model, the new 500 will also boast a six-speed manual gearbox. That's great news for city car owners who miss the driving involvement of the previous-generation hatchback, and if the 500 hybrid comes to the US, it would also be the first electrified car with a stick-shift since the Honda CR-Z was discontinued in 2016. The Hybrid Is Entering Pre-Production Right Now Fiat announced the manual-transmission 500 earlier today when it published photos of a lineup of pre-production hybrids rolling off the company's Miraflori, Turin, manufacturing facility. The plant has been experiencing challenges of late due to the slow global sales of its other primary product, the 500e. Fiat says that offering its city car with a hybrid powertrain will ensure it stays relevant and offers some of the benefits of electrification to a wider audience. That said, the 500 hybrid is going to be a somewhat compromised automobile, given it's based on a design that was never intended to see internal combustion. And instead of a plug-in or parallel-hybrid product, the mild-hybrid 500 won't be able to run on electricity alone, so the gas engine will always be running. As for what will power the newest Fiat variant, the automaker wouldn't say. But Autocar suggests that it'll probably be the company's Firefly 1.0-liter inline-three, which makes just 69 horsepower and 68 pound-feet of torque, since other small four-cylinders that could potentially fit aren't offered with manual gearboxes. Stellantis Will The Fiat 500 Hybrid Come To America? As of when the 500 hybrid was announced, Stellantis said there were no plans to bring it to the US, and admittedly, the electric 500e is doing decent numbers. As a result, there may not be much of an imperative to export the compact car from Italy to America, especially given the volatility of the current car market thanks to the Trump administration's tariffs. Then again, offering the nimble, loveable Fiat 500 in a cheaper package – the internal-combustion powertrain is almost certainly going to be less expensive than the EV – might give the brand a bit more relevance in the US market. Related Analysts predict total U.S. car sales could drop 9 percent in 2025. As of now, Fiat only offers the 500e on our side of the pond. And with a starting price of $34,195 (before any tariffs take effect), the city car is a hard sell, especially since it only has a range of 141 miles in EPA testing. Still, attractive lease deals have kept it on customers' shopping lists, and it really does make great sense as a city car with sporty handling, a fun driving experience, and easy parking thanks to its minute dimensions. Still, that won't stop us from dreaming of a six-speed manual Fiat 500 redux, especially something with as much character as the late, lamented Abarth.
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
These Are The Small Cars You Think Should Return In 2025
Over the last decade automakers have axed many of their smaller cars, opting to go for giant vehicles with expansive profit margins. Small cars may be set to make a return as automakers inflation makes us more broke than ever. So now, we just need to figure out what models need to come back. Last week, we asked readers what small, affordable models they'd like to see come back in 2025. These are your answers. OK hear me out: Honda CR-Z I mean, 15 years ago when the CR-Z first came out, EV tech and energy density was garbage. For the first couple of years, the CR-Z used NiMH batteries! Now? It's much easier today to grab a 40-50kW battery like the Fiat 500e has and connect it to a reasonable amount of power for its size, like 160-180hp. Like the 500e, keep it around 3000lb and this would be a fun little aerodynamic commuter EV that could probably get away with only 200 miles of range. Maybe call it CR-E/CR:e to fit their new nomenclature. Plus, you probably don't have to update the styling that much; despite being so old, the CR-Z still looks pretty dang modern. Sure, you could say that the upcoming Prelude is kind of fitting the same niche, but that's looking more like a large compact/small mid-size coupe. This could actually be a small car, and Honda could just sell motor upgrades to make an EV Si version that wouldn't step on the Civic's toes. Suggested by: OnceInAMillenia I recently bought a used Chevy Spark and man do I love this car. Bring the Spark back! Suggested by: WooWoo Kim via Facebook Mazda2. The current Mazda3 is as big as the old Mazda6. Ford Focus, with a manual in a poverty trim, not just another ST. And if you actually read the article linked, the manufacturers are not planning on bringing out cheaper cars, simply building more of the lower trims. So you can get an F-150 STX for $50k instead of a Platinum for $80. Still a heck of a lot of money for a pickup. Suggested by: Mark Horning I want an 80's - 90's sized GMC Jimmy/ GM Blazer with 2 doors, the hatch/tailgate l, 4x4 and turbo diesel. Steel wheels, no touch screens, minimal tech. It should be just smaller than the Ford Maverick. Suggested by: Joseph Fic via Facebook I'd go for a modern, simple and inexpensive, rear wheel drive, front engine equivalent of the Toyota Tercel and/or Mazda GLC. I could even live with the curb weight going up from 1900-ish lbs to 25-2600 lbs if it still had like knobs and switches in the cockpit instead of touchscreen controls. Suggested by: jrhmobile Honda Element. Utilitarian paradise that out ID Buzzes the ID Buzz. Dog friendly Rubber floors Barn-like aerodynamics Just give it a 300 mile range and sub $35k price tag and you've got a winner. Suggested by: Half Man Half Bear Half Pig My initial thought is the Fit but I would love a Dodge Neon as the original first Gen concept. Not a rebadged bloated fiat or the 'grown up' car from the second generation. Fiesta as well was a fun cheap car. Had both, if you got them in a manual they were fun. Also I don't trust Stellantis to not screw it up if they try. Suggested by: Fight the machine Yes on Ford Focus, specifically Ford Focus Active. Make it Hybrid, give it an AWD option. Right now there is no hatchback alternative to the Crosstrek (competitors are mostly boxy crossovers) and people gobble them up Suggested by: SP- 60% of the time, it works every time For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
