Fiat 500 Estate Going After Clubman?
Could Fiat be aiming for the a piece of Clubman sales?
>The extended roofline boosts head-room in the back and frees up more luggage space, making this the most sensible 500 of the range. The compact estate is inspired by the small load-lugger from the Sixties, and could even carry the same Giardiniera badge worn by that model. Fiat will keep development costs to a minimum by using the same front end and wheelbase as found on the hatch. However, a slightly longer rear overhang, a more upright tail and a pair of neat alloy roof rails will set the new model apart.
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[ Fiat 500 estate to take on Clubman ] Autoexpress.co.uk
Pretty sure Fiat, Alfa etc and etc are aiming right at the same lucrative niche Mini has carved out. I am pretty sure the estate version was developed with the Clubman in mind.
…now if we could only get both the Fiat and the 1.3-litre Multijet diesel in the U.S….
nice try fiat but it time to put down your cards, fold and go home. If fiat thinks that will compete in the same market against the clubman, I see a fiat engineer out of a job real soon.
MM
uuuhhhh Ok now THAT’S an embarasing atempt at competing with MINI…I’m in total agreement with MINIMAN!
I am not saying this is a Clubman replacement but rather a step on a trend of manufactures trying to take of bite of the niche market Mini developed.
Why? I think the more competition the better. You may not like the 500, but that doesn’t mean it is an unworthy competitor. Most people here that diss the 500 have never driven it, let alone see it in person.
MINI needs all the competition they can get.
I agree with c4 – when is competion bad, unless you are not willing, as a manufacturer, to step up to the plate and deliver the goods. And don’t forget who the head of Fiat Styling is – Frank Stephenson.
Sorry Mk1, Frank Stephenson has left his post at Alfa/Fiat.
actually, frank stephenson was relocated to just the head of alfa styling for a while, and has just recently resigned altogether
saw an original fiat 500 wagon in berkeley once, on a lot for sale. it was tiny, probably even a bit smaller than mini travelers, etc.
<blockquote>actually, frank stephenson was relocated to just the head of alfa styling for a while, and has just recently resigned altogether</blockquote>
True, but he did head-up the styling of the new Fiat Nuova 500. Will be interesting to see where he lands next.
Yes, Frank Stephenson resigned earlier this week from Alfa Romeo. Tremedous loss for the Fiat Group.
I can only wish that he would come back as head for MINI design, but one can only dream..
Best of luck, Frank. Your resume and design portfolio is impressive. Take a well deserved vacation and when the time comes…you’ll have some tempting offers knocking at your door.
Would love to see Mr. Stephenson head back to Mini and start assisting with JCW to create the Mini terror that I am dying to see. Think this gentleman’s future still has a lot of promise no matter where he goes or chooses to do next.
Thanks guys and much appreciated! We’ll be in touch!
Good to hear from you as always Frank. Can’t wait to here where you land next.
And it will be cheaper than the Clubman by a bunch. If Frank had anything to do with this model it will be a hit!
as someone living here in Italy… it totally makes sense… the Italians love the wagon.. in any form… i see more wagons here than anyway i have ever been. so the “estate” Cinquecento (read 500) will be huge here and if they love it you better bet they will make it. the 500 is huge here as is the MINI i have seen tricked out Cinquecento’s and MINI’s alike… so with the Clubman release there is no surprise in my office from the Italians that they are making the estate.
Tim
Mt. Vesuvius MINI Club, Co-Founder
Hollow from Pasadean Frank.
I am glade that you left Fiat. Guys like you have to keep on moving to avoid the dullness that develops when you stay in one place for too long. So what’s next? How about doing something with the 2cv.