Fiat fans place reservations for the First Edition at the Fiat Mobile Experience in Asheville, NC.
Fiat fans attending the annual convention of the Club Fiat-Lancia Unlimited this past weekend were given the chance to place reservations and select their vehicle build number for a Fiat Cinquecento Prima Edizione or First Edition model.
A total of 500 of what Fiat is calling “collector-edition” 500 models will be sold in the United States starting at the end of this year.
The Prima Edizione announcement was made during the national annual convention organized by Club Fiat-Lancia Unlimited, North America’s largest enthusiast club for owners of Fiat Group Automobile vehicles. This year, the convention, also known as the “Fiat Freakout,” was held in Asheville, NC.
Fiat North America was the main sponsor of the annual convention, which featured displays of more than 100 well-preserved Fiat, Lancia and Alfa Romeo vehicles.
Last week Fiat announced that after a 26-year hiatus, it would establish 200 dealerships in the United States managed by existing Chrysler dealers. At first, only the sub-compact 500 will be available. A convertible or cabriole version comes in 2011, followed by an electric version in 2012. Presumably, other Fiat models will follow.
The 500 Prima Edizione will come in three colors: Bianco (White), Rosso (Red) and Grigio (Gray). All will have a manual transmission and a 1.4-liter direct injection gasoline engine, and will have a Prima Edizione badge. Each will also have a sequential VIN and badge according to production order.
Fiat North America will also offer other fans a way to reserve their Prima Edizione model, up to a limit of 500, via a special website that will open later at www.ciaofiat.com.
“The Fiat Cinquecento Prima Edizione was developed especially with the Fiat fans in mind,” said Laura Soave, head of Fiat North America, who personally presented the opportunity to the Fiat fans on Saturday night.
“For over a quarter of a century, the members of this Club have kept the spirit of the Fiat and Lancia brands alive in North America through their unique and passionate support for true Italian design. We really value their loyalty, and the Prima Edizione is our gift of appreciation to these fans on behalf of Fiat North America,” Soave continued.