New Fiat 500 Named the 2011 Coolest New Car Under $18,000 by Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., June 24, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Just in time for summer driving fun in the sun, Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com today named the 2012 Fiat 500 its 2011 Coolest New Car Under $18,000.

This year, Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com editors decided to rank their Top 10 choices from 10 to 1, and they rated the 2012 Fiat 500 as the No. 1 pick on their 'Cool Cars' list. With a starting MSRP of $15,500 (excluding $500 destination) and more than a half-million ways to stylize and personalize, the Fiat 500 offers Italian styling, timeless functionality, fuel efficiency and innovative technology – all at a superb value.

Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com said of the Fiat 500, "Regardless of what the Hello Kitty mafia would like to believe, cute isn't cool. Not usually, anyway. But that's because cute is rarely backed up by substance, as it is in the 2012 Fiat 500. It's seven inches shorter than a Mini Cooper and positively adorable, but spend a day driving Fiat's first U.S. offering in 28 years, and you'll discover a comfortable, livable, well-built sub-compact car that just happens to have 10 times the personality of some of its cookie-cutter competitors."

"We are extremely honored that Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com editors chose our new 2012 Fiat 500 as the Coolest New Car Under $18,000," said Laura Soave, Head of FIAT Brand North America. "With a starting price of just $15,500, along with unique Italian design and loads of standard features, the Fiat 500 is proving that you don't have to spend a fortune to have fun in a car."

For more information about the 2011 Top 10 Coolest New Cars Under $18,000 from Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com, visit http://www.kbb.com/car-news/all-the-latest/10-coolest-cars-under-18000-_-2011-edition/.

About Kelley Blue Book (www.kbb.com)

Founded in 1926, Kelley Blue Book, The Trusted Resource®, is the only vehicle valuation and information source trusted and relied upon by both consumers and the industry. Each week the company provides the most market-reflective values in the industry on its top-rated website www.kbb.com, including its famous Blue Book® Trade-In and Retail Values, and Fair Purchase Price, which reports what others are paying for new cars this week. The company also provides vehicle pricing and values through various products and services available to car dealers, auto manufacturers, finance and insurance companies, as well as governmental agencies. Kbb.com is a leading provider of new car prices, used car values, car reviews, new cars for sale, used cars for sale and car dealer locations. Kelley Blue Book Co., Inc., is a wholly owned subsidiary of AutoTrader.com.

About the 2012 Fiat 500

With beautiful Italian styling, timeless functionality, fuel efficiency and innovative technology – the same attributes that made the original version an icon – the 2012 Fiat 500 is relevant for an entirely new generation of drivers.

The 2012 Fiat 500 offers high levels of safety, fuel economy, quality and advanced technology. With its city-friendly four-passenger size, engaging driving dynamics, all-new fuel-efficient 1.4-liter MultiAir® engine with eco:Drive™ Application, state-of-the-art TomTom® Navigation with BLUE&ME™ Handsfree Communication technology and seven standard air bags, the new Fiat 500 offers a driving and ownership experience unlike anything available today. This package is further enhanced with new quality and refinement adaptations for the U.S. market, including an all-new six-speed automatic transmission.

Every 2012 Fiat 500 includes FIAT FORWARD CARE™ – a standard four-year/50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, four years of unlimited roadside assistance and a three-year/36,000-mile maintenance program that includes wear-and-tear items.

The reintroduction of the FIAT brand in North America is led by the modern generation of the Fiat 500, now joined by the Fiat 500 Cabrio.

SOURCE Chrysler Group LLC