Fiat has announced that production of the 2015MY versions of the 500 Abarth, 500 Abarth Cabrio and 500 Turbo that are available in North America with an optional six-speed automatic transmission has begun at its plant in Toluca, Mexico, with deliveries beginning later this summer.

New for 2015, Abarth’s optional six-speed automatic transmission is mated to a 1.4-liter MultiAir Turbo engine producing 157 horsepower and 183 lb-ft (248 Nm) of torque. The gearbox has been reinforced with more clutch plates and a more robust heat treatment to allow for higher torque capability.

Fiat says the Sport mode calibration allows for an even more engaged driving experience with special features such as fuel-cut upshifts, rev-matching downshifts, brake-assist downshifts, corner gear hold and fast-off gear hold, as well as a more aggressive pedal map.

For the 2015 model year, the full Fiat 500 lineup gets interior updates such as an instrument panel with a 7-inch high-definition color display, a redesigned center console that features a new cup holder design and an additional USB port that is fully functional and integrated with the radio. The 2015 Fiat 500 models will also include Bluetooth streaming audio in addition to the already standard Bluetooth phone connectivity.

Fiat sales in the U.S. rose 18 percent in May, its best ever month since the brand returned to the market in 2011. May was the brand’s sixth-consecutive month of year-over-year sales gains. Sales for the Fiat 500 Abarth lineup have increased by more than 16 percent during 2014.

As cute and cuddly as the 500 may be, eight years in the market is a long time, but Fiat appears to want to give the current car a small extension in life before a new replacement arrives.

Caught testing in Sweden, this 500 prototype had both of its front bumpers covered in cladding, but other than that, it looks exactly like the current model.

Then again, the 500's strong point has always been its retro looks, so don't expect any revolutionary changes on the outside, just a touch up on the bumpers and front grille, along with modern LED lighting fixtures.

Even though we didn't have the opportunity to check the tester's interior, Fiat does have more creative freedom inside, so we could see some changes to the design and a new infotainment system with a large screen on the center console.

On the engine front and besides some light tweaks to improve efficiency and CO2 emissions, the 500 facelift will probably continue offering the same range of diesel and petrol engines.

The Fiat 500X is available for order now in the UK and first examples are set to reach customers around the second part of April. However, why should you choose one of these over its many rivals and if you do decide to get one, which do you go for.

There are quite a few variants and engine options to choose from. There are manual gearboxes and there’s a nine-speed auto on offer too. It can be had on the top spec car with the 2.0-liter diesel engine and all-wheel drive.

The video posted below, courtesy of WhatCar, tries to put the 500X into context in its sector of the market. By their definition, it has pretty much the same characteristics as its rivals, although it is apparently a bit smaller inside than it would appear at first.

But overall, really, you’ll be buying it for the compact size, ease of driving in the city common to all small Fiats, the styling and the claimed economy figures.

It seems that Fiat can’t help itself but milk that cute 500 to its very last drop; the already retro Cinquecento just became even more retro-er dressed as a Vintage ’57.

Featuring 16-inch vintage alloy wheels and historic FIAT logos everywhere, the Fiat 500 Vintage ’57 will be available only in pastel colours with a contrasting white roof, spoiler, radio antenna and mirror covers.

The super retro theme continues inside with a white dashboard and tan-coloured Poltrona Frau leather seats with ivory leather 'half-moon' inserts and "500" embroidery in tan.

The Vintage ’57 will be available in the UK with the same petrol engines as before, meaning the 69hp 1.2-litre and the two-cylinder 0.9-litre TwinAir in 65hp (normally aspirated), 85hp (turbo) and 105hp (turbo) guises. The 1.3-litre MultiJet 95hp turbo-diesel engine will also be available. Prices will start from £16,000 when it goes on sale in April.

What do you think?