- Fiat Topolino
Infobox Automobile
name = Fiat 500 Topolino
manufacturer =Fiat
production = 1936-1955
520,000 made
class =Micro car
layout =FR layout
body_style = 2-doorcoupé
2-door cabriolet
3-doorstation wagon
engine = 569 ccstraight-4 sidevalve
transmission = 4-speed manual
length =
aka = Fiat 500
width =
height =
weight =
wheelbase =
predecessor =
related = Simca 5
Simca 6
successor =Fiat 500
designer =History
The "Topolino" was the name given to an
automobile model manufactured byFiat from 1936 to 1955.The Topolino (the Italian name for
Mickey Mouse , meaning "little mouse") was the name given to the first Fiat 500 which was one of the smallest cars in the world at the time of its production. Launched in 1937, three models were produced until 1955, all with only minor mechanical and cosmetic changes. It was equipped with a 569 cc four-cylinder, side valve, water-cooled engine mounted in front of the front axle, and so was a full-scale car rather than acyclecar . (The radiator was located behind the engine.)Its top speed was about 53 mph (85 km/h), and it could achieve about mpg|39.2. The Topolino sold for about 8,900 lire. Nearly 520,000 models of the Topolino were sold.
In 1955 the mid-size rear wheel drive
Fiat 600 was launched by Fiat and that would become the design basis for the newFiat 500 , the 500 Nuova (often called "bambino"). The 500 Nuova is often thought, mistakenly, to be the only model 500 Fiat.Future production
Fiat is known to be working on a low-cost entry-level city car, to fit into its range below both the Fiat 500 and Panda, codename "Topolino". Based on the A-platform used by the Fiat 500 and Fiat Panda but shortened to 3150mm in length, the new Topolino will seat four people. This is scheduled for production in 2010. [cite web |url=http://www.topspeed.com/cars/car-news/-fiat-s-next-project-topolino-ar56770.html |title=Fiat’s next project: Topolino! |accessdate =2008-05-22]
The new Topolino will be built in the former Zastava plant in
Serbia . Fiat said the company will invest 700 million euros to modernize the Kragujevac plant. The Serbian government will contribute 300 million euros through tax breaks, incentives and infrastructure for the new plant. By the end of next year, Fiat plans to build 200,000 units a year in Kragujevac. Capacity will grow to 300,000 units from 2010 with the addition of the B-compact models. [cite web |url=http://www.channel4.com/4car/news/news-story.jsp?news_id=17447 |title=New Models: Fiat to revive Topolino |accessdate =2008-05-22]Gallery
References
External links
* [http://www.gizmohighway.com/autos/fiat_500_history.htm Fiat 500 History -Gizmohighway Auto Guide]
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