As you’ve probably already guessed by the title of this post, neither Fiat nor Chrysler published any details on the Fiat 500 BEV concept model that was showcased alongside the 500 Abarth at the American automaker’s Detroit Motor Show stand. Nothing new here as we’re in the dark about the “Chrysler Delta” also.

The car’s name stands for Battery-Electric Vehicle and from what we’ve heard, it’s pure study as Fiat has no plans to introduce a production version of the concept – at least not in this form.

To make a short story longer, the 500 BEV features a similar bodykit to the Abarth model minus the tail pipes at the rear as well as new alloy wheels.

Inside, the concept model gets sumptuous leather seats finished in red and a sport steering wheel accented by red stitching while the traditional gear lever has been replaced with push-button controls.

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The same Italian supercar maker that’s so protective about its name that went as far as to threaten to take legal actions against a Brit that created a 360 Modena limo unless he removed all Prancing Horse emblems, has now given its blessings for the creation of a special edition version of the Fiat 500 Abarth… And unlike last year’s special Fiat 500 that is only used as a courtesy car for the Ferrari sales network, the performance-orientated Abarth 695 ‘Tributo Ferrari’ will go on sale.

Fiat said that the new Abarth 695 “Tributo Ferrari” is distinguished by “substantial modifications” developed by Abarth and Ferrari engineers. Starting with the powertrain, the special edition model is fitted with a 1.4-liter turbocharged T-Jet 16v engine tuned to develop “over 180 horsepower”.

The four-cylinder unit is coupled to an MTA (Manual Transmission Automated) electromechanical gearbox with race-inspired paddle gearshift that drives the front-wheels.

The hot hatch also gets performance tires that are fitted on 17-inch alloy wheels in a dark finish featuring a Ferrari inspired design. Other upgrades include the more powerful braking system that boasts 284mm multi-section discs Brembo with four-piston calipers and a sportier suspension set up with new shock absorbers.

A “Record Monza” variable back-pressure dual mode exhaust that is designed to improve engine performance and deliver a more sonorous note over 3,000 rpm completes the performance upgrades.

On the outside, the mini is finished in Scuderia Red, with carbon fibre door mirrors and racing stripes, wheels and rear air intakes in ‘Racing Grey’. The new Abarth also gets Xenon headlights with dipped and main beam functions.

Inside, special features include the Sabelt bucket sport seats that weight 10 kg or 22 lbs a piece less than the standard seats and are finished in black leather with a shell and seat base in carbon fibre; the black leather steering wheel with red leather inserts and a tricolour hub as well as the new instrument panel specially made by Jaeger and inspired by Ferrari instrumentation.

Other details include the special kick plates, aluminum foot wells and a plate bearing the vehicle series number.

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No, Fiat’s marriage with the Chrysler Group has not spawned its first offspring. What you see pictured here is the work of Dragos Prodan, a 2009 industrial design graduate of George Enescu University in Iasi, Romania. The Fiat Sentiero, which was created as part of Prodan’s final year project, is a conceptual proposal for a compact-sized pickup truck for the European market. The designer states that the vehicle’s styling is based on Fiat’s current design language and Italian design in general – whatever that means.

We also see a “tee-bit” of the 2006 Dodge Rampage pickup truck concept in the overall shape of the Sentiero, but then again, we could be wrong.

The concept study features several storage compartments that include those behind the doors, the rear bed and even once incorporated in the tailgate. The Romanian designer says that the proposed engine for the Sentiero is a 3.0-liter V6 diesel with an output of around 250 HP driving all-four wheels

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For the last couple of decades, there has been a genuine dearth of affordable Italians autos for us Americans. Sure, you could buy a lightly used Alfa Romeo Milano or a derelict Fiat Strada, but then you’d be a braver person than us. Or maybe you could get your hands on a severely fire-damaged Ferrari 308, but that’s a entirely different level of sadomasochism. One that we’re not comfortable with. But in reality, the cheapest piece of Italian four-wheeled machinery available to us Yanks has come with a trident badge. In other words, a $100,000 Maserati.

But hey, there’s some good news for working class Italophiles — the Fiat 500 is coming! Finally, Italian design and craftsmanship in an affordable package. Only thing is, the Cinquecento is going to be Italian design and Mexican craftsmanship. Er, make that Italian design and Mexican/American craftsmanship. According to an Associated Press report, Chrysler Group LLC is planning on building U.S.-bound 500s at their Toluca, Mexico assembly plant where they build the PT Cruiser. Not only that, but the engines that power the little-bitty Fiats might be built in Trenton, Michigan. Hmmm. Not really so Italian after all, is it?

Chrysler is reportedly also planning on building another very small car along with the 500. No official word on any of the other Fiat or Alfa Romeo products that might be heading our way – yet.

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Following in the footsteps of other carmakers, Fiat decided to promote its newly launched 500 Convertible in Germany by hanging a full-sized model of the car on the ceiling of a main terminal at Frankfurt’s Rhein-Main Airport. There are also a couple of signs on the walls that say “Happy to Meet You” though judging by the photo after the jump, people seem to be more ‘happy’ in finding their way out of the terminal than to stare at a car hanging over their head… The new 500 C that features a sliding ragtop with a rear-glass window went on sale in Europe this spring.

Engine options are carried over from the fixed-top 500 and include a 1.3-liter turbocharged diesel producing 75HP and two gasoline engines, a 1.2-liter four-cylinder with 69HP hp and a 1.4-liter four-pot churning out 100HP, available with either manual or robotized Dualogic transmissions.

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