Want a Sneak Peek at Chrysler's New Model?

Behold, the new Chrysler: the Fiat 500 (2007-present).
Fiat is the Italian automaker that owns Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep. The automotive rumor mill thinks that their 500 is going to come to the U.S. as a Chrysler product.

What's they don't know is whether the 500 coming here as a re-badged Chrysler or if Chrysler is just going to sell it in their dealerships.

I'm leaning toward the second option.

Putting a Chrysler badge on this is like putting a Toyota badge on a Mustang. This 500 is a retro design based on the original Fiat 500 built from 1957-1975.

It's an iconic Italian people's car that's like the VW Beetle or the British Mini.

Naturally, the new one is just an update of the old design.
It's a good looking compact car, a rare breed in the United States.

But, if there's one thing the Italians know besides how to make pasta, it's how to style a car. Even the interior is cool.
While it's mostly plastic, it doesn't look cheap, and the red seats are a great touch.

The best 500, though, is the 500 Abarth.
It's the hot version. The base Abarth makes 135hp, which is 35 more than the standard one. It's not quite like putting a bomb in a shoebox, but it's pretty close.

The interior's great too.
A manual gearbox in a small, European, hatchback makes overdrive absolutely necessary.