The Fiat 500 has been a runaway success, but so far only the standard hatchback body-style has been offered The first derivative, however, is tipped to debut at the Geneva Motor Show this March. A formal accord will be signed sometime in April once both sides have approved the terms, Chrysler said. The non-cash accord calls for Fiat to take a 35% stake in the Number Three American carmaker in exchange for Fiat's platforms for its fuel-efficient, small and medium-sized compact cars, which will fill a gap in Chrysler's range of models. Chrysler confirmed that this will allow it to demonstrate to the US Treasury that it is meeting the conditions set to receive further federal bailout funds necessary for its restructuring and survival.

The Fiat 500 has been a runaway success, but so far only the standard hatchback body-style has been offered The first derivative, however, is tipped to debut at the Geneva Motor Show this March. Like the test mule spotted previously (and unlike Castagna's concept shown above), the 500 C, as the convertible version will be called, will feature a solid frame between which a canvas roof can be deployed or retracted. Earlier reports suggested that this targa-style convertible would later be supplemented by a full cabrio, but we'll have to wait and see on that, as well as the engine options.

Anything you can do, I can do better. That seems to be the strategy over at the Fiat group vis-à-vis the MINI, which the Italian automaker has attacked from two flanks with the popular little 500 and the up-market Alfa MiTo. As we've reported previously, Fiat is said to be preparing a whole batch of variants of the 500, including two different convertibles and a wagon. Reports now indicate that, with MINI hard at work on its crossover and the Clubman already on the market, Fiat is preparing to strike back with an all-wheel-drive version of the 500 wagon. Tentatively known as the Giardiniera, reviving the classic nameplate of the original, the 500 wagon would likely borrow the all-wheel-drive system from the Panda 4x4 which shares the same platform as the 500. The bean-counters in Turin are still reportedly deliberating over the project, but if approved, Fiat is anticipated to produce little over 30,000 unites annually. Whether the 4WD 500 wagon would wear the same bodywork as the existing model or the front-drive wagon, however, remains to be seen. From: www.autoblog.com