New Delhi: Italian carmaker Fiat on 10th of January, 2010 said it plans to bring its super premium hatchback 'By Diesel 500', a co-branded model with European clothing firm Diesel, in India as it looks to add more style statement to its portfolio.

"Depending on customer feedback and orders we get, we can bring the co-branded 500 by February or March. It will be costlier than the normal '500' we are selling now in India," Fiat India President and CEO Rajeev Kapoor said.

The company is showcasing the 'By Diesel 500' at the 10th Auto Expo here. Fiat had launched super premium small car '500' in India 2008 with an average base price of about Rs 15 lakh. It has sold about 65 units in India so far.

Fiat India vice-president (Commercial) Ravi G Bhatia said the idea behind plans to bring 'By Diesel 500' to India is to add more glamour, in tune with the European preference for making fashion statement, to Fiat's product portfolio.

"The number of customers in India who want to make fashion statement is on the rise and the co-branded 500 will address those sections of people," Bhatia added. Since the car will be imported as completely built up unit from Italy, it would take about two months for delivery from the date of booking.

The Italian car major had introduced the '500 by Diesel in 2008 in partnership Italian clothing brand Diesel and is marked out from standard 500s with unique alloy wheels with rivets, 'Diesel' logos and metal inserts to bumpers. It also has options for denim seats, and a special 'Diesel' branded gear knob, with front seat side pockets like those of jeans trousers.