Fiat 500 - It’s back. It’s bold and I want one. The New Fiat 500 is ready and waiting at the showrooms. This car was such a huge success when first launched back in 1957 as it really lifted the sprits of depleted Italians after World War 2 and gave many ordinary people the first chance to actually own a car.
Now we can have a slice of the pie on a car that already has an accolade of awards under her belt - including car of the year 2008, and BBC Top Gear Awards 2007 for best City Car. On top of that the 500 is the first car of such small dimensions to have been awarded five stars in the Euro NCAP rating and is also the first car to be launched with a full range of frugal low emissions engines that are in fact EURO 5 compliant even though this does not come into force until two years time. The line up is simply three trims, Pop, Sport and top of the range Lounge, mated to either a 1.2 or 1.4 litre FIRE petrol engine or Fiat’s highly acclaimed 1.3 16v Multijet turbo diesel. Both the 1.2 and 1.3 litre engines are fitted with a five-speed manual gearbox whilst the 1.4 litre petrol is mated to a six speed manual transmission. Prices start from £7,900 rising to £10,700 for the 1.3 and 1.4 sport and lounge trim enticing customers to go top of the range but the standard of equipment even on the Pop version is pretty remarkable.
in fact 100 bespoke accessories which generate more than 500,000 possible trim, colour and option combinations to totally personalize your Fiat 500, she is a winner all round
Adorable, huggable, sweetie are words that instantly come to mind when you first clap eyes on this cutie three door car that will then send you rushing to your nearest showroom to pre order as she simply gushes out personality, individuality and ‘take me home- now’! The very short bonnet, minimal front and rear overhangs create a tiny compact bodyshell that makes you want to cuddle and protect her. Keeping many of the original features like the circular headlights, full beam lamp housing and the trademark ‘whisker and logo’ badging derived from the name of the very first Fiat 500 in 1936, Topolino - meaning little mouse, the Fiat 500 is a force to be reckoned with. Body coloured door mirrors, alloy wheels and a huge array of strips, stickers, in fact 100 bespoke accessories which generate more than 500,000 possible trim, colour and option combinations to totally personalize your Fiat 500, she is a winner all round.
Surprisingly a lot more spacious than its exterior dimension would suggest, the fun loving 500 theme continues to the interior with the main fascia being the same colour as the exterior, while the height adjustable steering wheel that looks so fifties and central dashboard controls, can be specified in either black or ivory. The central console is home to the CD radio, air conditioning where fitted and in the middle of the fascia are three buttons including that all important Fiat ‘girlies button’ as I call it, ‘city ‘ for the techies, that when pressed lightens up the steering to guide us beautifully into the parking bays.
Standard features include height adjustable drivers seat, electric window, folding rear seats and follow me home headlamps while the Lounge adds on a leather steering wheel, air conditioning, and a glass roof. The Sports sees a sports leather steering wheel, sports interior trim, spoiler, fog lights, dark tinted rear windows and Blue&Me controls that is a Windows Mobile- based system that employs Bluetooth technology to allow occupants to communicate via the mobile phones.
Storage solutions are rather limited with slim door pockets, cup holders in the centre console, two dashboard compartments, quite a large glove box and a sneaky bin under the front passenger seat. The luggage area has a reasonable 550 litres of space so enough for the gym bag but not the surfboard.
Having driven all three Euro 4 compliant power trains, I personally would gun for the 1.3 Multijet for better fuel consumption, lower CO2 emissions and stronger torque for that all important get away. The five speed manual gearbox is really easy to operate plus the ride and handling is great thanks to the combination of an independent MacPherson strut front configuration and a lightweight torsion beam axle at the rear resulting in a surprisingly high level of driving accuracy, hold and comfort. However, it is quite noisy inside the cabins so bring plenty of CD’s.
With 5 -star safety rating under it’s belt, the Fiat 500 is top of the pops in terms of passive, active and preventive safety which is good news all round. Standard across the range are seven airbags, driver and passenger, front and side airbags, divers knee and two side curtain airbags, automatic door locks over 12 mph, ISOFIX attachments, Fiats Fire Prevention system that prevents fuel loss in the event of an impact as well as the height adjustable seatbelts, and head restraints. But that’s not all for the Fiat 500 comes with ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, ASR, MSR that regulates brake torque while those with ESP, standard on the 1.4 and a paltry £200 as an optional extra, benefit from hydraulic brake assistance and the useful Hill Holder that ensures perfect hill-starts. Securing the Fiat 500 is simply remote central locking.
I would buy one tomorrow. That’s how good this car is.
FemaleFirst - Jackie Violet