Fiat is looking to add a production version of the striking Zagato Coupé concept to its 500 line-up.
During a visit to Fiat’s recently opened Toluca plant in Mexico, where production of the 500 has just commenced, company head Sergio Marchionne stated that the 500 line was due to expand into a number of niche segments.
In addition to an EV version of the retro-styled city car, Marchionne also mentioned that the 500 Zagato Coupé concept, which was shown off at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show.
The Zagato features the signature double-bubble roof (a nod to previous models which had to accommodate occupant’s crash-helmeted heads), a mildly revised rear quarter and some additional bits of cabin trim. The basic underpinnings and powerplant are lifted directly from the standard car and power is provided by a mildly tweaked version of the 1,4-litre engine developing 78 kW and 155 N.m of torque.
Such an addition to the 500 line-up would give Fiat an alternative, albeit a lesser-powered one, to Mini’s Cooper Coupe. Production is slated to begin next year, but there presently aren’t any indications as to what will power such a model and whether an Abarth spinoff will be considered.
