Starting today, Europeans will be able to order the Fiat 500 by DIESEL. Yes, we know the car’s already offered with a diesel, but we’re not referring to the MultiJet engine here. This is a two-year special run done in partnership with the Italian clothing company. This style exercise is supposed to transform the 500 into an ‘Urban Survival Vehicle.” Apparently, all that’s required for “urban survival” are some DIESEL logos, new trim on the bumpers and bodywork, exclusive wheels, three paint colors, and a dressed-up interior. 100-horsepower cars also get yellow brake calipers. Seeing as how 10,000 “by DIESEL” cars are planned, we have a feeling that the folks who really want one will find a way to get one. This isn’t exactly as limited as some other 500s we’ve seen lately. Continued

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According to emerging reports, a hybrid version of the Fiat 500 is in the works. The gas/electric retro mini would start off with Fiat’s 900cc two-cylinder engine, hooked up to a battery pack and backed up by a start-stop ignition system and a dual-clutch transmission. The idea of an environmentally-friendly 500 was previewed by the Fiat 500 Aria concept (pictured above) shown earlier this year at the Geneva show, while the 500 hybrid would reportedly be unveiled, oddly, at next year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed. The combination of green credentials would surely increase the 500’s economy to industry-leading levels, and help the entire Fiat Group come in below impending European emissions standards.

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