Round 5 of the Formula Drift series took place at the Evergreen Speedway in Seattle, Washington

Hollywood loves a sequel, and now it's the Italians' turn. Fiat is reentering the North American market and it's promising that things are going to be different this time. The first model to arrive is the 2012 Fiat 500, a remake of the classic Cinquecento produced from 1957-'75.

We're in the Fiat booth at the 2011 New York International Auto Show and, despite having seen Fiat booths at a few other domestic shows, it's still slightly surreal. We're surrounded by at least 10 examples of the all-new 2012 Fiat 500 — the only Fiat on sale in the U.S. at the moment — when a local TV news reporter comes over and things get even stranger.

Even with the top up, in a blinding rainstorm, the 2012 Fiat 500 Cabrio was still enjoyable during a recent drive through Manhattan and just north of New York City. And with its EPA estimated 38 mpg on the highway, or 32 mpg, with the optional automatic transmission, it was pretty efficient the whole way, too.

Fiat just can't wait for spring. We wouldn't want to wait either if we were behind the wheel of Fiat's latest 500 variant: the 500c convertible. Fiat chose this week's New York auto show to debut the 500c for America.

Italiophiles have been waiting for an affordable import since at least 2006. That was the first of many delayed years planned for Alfa Romeo's return to the U.S. market. While the Fiat 500 isn't exactly an Alfa, it has its own retro charm, recalling the iconic postwar car for its motherland's masses, just like the BMC Mini and Volkswagen Type 1 (Beetle).

"Delightful." Thus spoke Kim Reynolds, our handling and ride quality guru, when I asked him how Fiat's ballsy little 500 was to drive around our patented figure eight. Mr. Reynolds' seal of approval is high praise indeed for the diminutive newcomer, as I've seen Kim yawning while climbing out of ultracars worth several hundred thousand dollars. No, really. So why the big love for such a tiny car? Well, in a teensy-weensy Italian nutshell, the 500 deserves it.

Fiat’s little 500 hatchback is gaining quite a reputation as a special-edition friendly model.

Fiat’s decision to return to the US after a long and hard absence was set in motion with the 2012 500 and,

As Fiat turns over a new chapter in their partnership with Chrysler, the Italian automaker is getting ready to introduce a new member to their already growing family, the Fiat Freemont SUV.

The Fiat 500 is living proof that a high-end lifestyle doesn’t always mean driving the biggest and most powerful four-wheeled machines on the planet.

Next to the 500 by Gucci, Fiat also brought the 500 Coupe Zagato to the Geneva Motor Show.