Exactly eight years and more than 1.5 million units since it was launched (on the 50th anniversary of the original car's launch) the successful and iconic FIAT 500 makes way for its successor: the New FIAT 500. Retaining the unmistakable look that has made it a global best-seller, the new FIAT 500 hasn't grown in size (L 3.57m / W 1.63m / H 1.49m / WB 2.30m) but instead has grown in maturity with advanced technologies, improved efficiency, even more customisation ideas and a Centro Stile FIAT-refreshed exterior and interior.
No fewer than 1,800 changes have been made to produce the New 500, all designed to enhance the ownership experience and refine its inimitable style. The most changes can be found at the front: New FIAT 500 retains the "face" of its predecessors with headlights which are still circular in shape but which adopt innovative polyellptical modules for improved night vision and extra safety. These clusters integrate the dipped-beam headlamps and turn signals, while lower light cluster integrates the main beam headlights and LED daytime running lights, which adopt the circular profile of the lamp to graphically reproduces the zeros of 500. The bonnet retains its distinctive, traditional clamshell form, another nod to its legendary predecessor, while the trapezoidal nose gets more pronounced ribbing and the auxiliary air vent is now fed via a three-dimensional grille (with chrome-effect buttons on the Lounge version) flanked by chrome brightwork to give the New FIAT 500 stronger visual presence.
New 'empty' light clusters, comprised of ring-shaped structures with body-coloured centres, define the revised look of the rear, with the fog light and reversing light relocated to the edges of the redesigned bumper trim to improve safety by separating illumination functions.
New alloy wheel designs are also introduced on the New FIAT 500: Pop Star and Lounge models have 15-inch alloy wheels as standard (a £320 option on Pop models) with 16-inch wheels available as a £370 option on Pop models and a £130 upgrade option on Pop Star and Lounge models. An elegant, new diamond-cut design is also available across the range priced from £350 on Pop models or as a £150 upgrade on the rest of the range.
The colour palette now totals 13 hues, including seven special pastel shades ('Bossa Nova White' is standard, the other pastel colours are a £350 option), one tri-coat finish ('Ubran White' at £740) and five metallic colours (a £460 option) including two new colours: Glam Coral and Avantgarde Bordeaux. Two striking black-yellow and black-red variants are also available as part of the FIAT 500 'Second Skin' programme which offers a range of customisation options capable of satisfying every creative taste imaginable.
There are two 'Second Skin' options: the first features a fashionable, geometric pattern along the belt line only (£140) and is available on 500 and 500C models, while the larger skin options cover the pillars and roof (£780) - and in some cases the bonnet and tailgate as well - and is available on the hardtop 500 only. Five patterns are offered: 'Ethnic' (geometric pattern); 'Lord' (classic tartan); 'Comics' (pop decoration) in combination with the new two-colour body paintwork; 'Navy' (nautical patterns) and 'Camouflage' (fashionably military).
The interior of the FIAT 500 also benefits from numerous enhancements, most noticeably in terms of its dashboard design which now integrates the advanced Uconnect™ infotainment across the range. The unit is not only easier to read and more intuitive to use, it also improves connectivity and functionality with steering wheel remote controls and USB / Aux-in ports on all models.
The Lounge version is equipped with the Uconnect™ 5" Radio LIVE system which is a touchscreen unit complete with Bluetooth hands-free calling and music streaming; voice recognition and an SMS reader for reading text messages received on compatible telephones. It is available as a £250 option on Pop and Pop Star models. DAB digital radio is also available with this unit for an additional £100.
Uconnect™ LIVE allows direct access via the touchscreen to TuneIn Internet radio, (100,000 stations); Deezer (over 35 million tracks for 'Deezer Premium' users); Reuters; Facebook and Twitter. Uconnect™ LIVE can also be used to access eco:Drive, the award-winning driving style app which assists drivers to improve fuel consumption by up to 16 percent by providing driving tips in real time. Uconnect™ LIVE even connects directly to my:Car with real time warnings, service deadline memos and an interactive owner handbook to manage car maintenance. The Uconnect™ LIVE app can be downloaded from Apple Store or Google Play Store and as soon as the smartphone is connected to the New FIAT 500 Lounge, many applications can be viewed and controlled via the touchscreen of the Uconnect™ system. The apps have been designed and adapted for use while driving to keep users concentrated on the road ahead.
For the first time on the FIAT 500, an integrated Uconnect™ 5" Radio Nav LIVE with voice-activated TomTom satellite navigation is available as a £600 option on Pop and Pop Star models (including Bluetooth connectivity and DAB) and as a £350 upgrade for Lounge models (including DAB). The TomTom IQ Routes® function calculates the fastest route based on real-time average speeds (updated every two minutes courtesy of 100 million kilometres of traffic data collected every day) and for maximum safety and ease-of-use the system includes an advanced lane indicator and turn-by-turn instructions which are conveniently displayed on the instrument panel. Users also benefit from the information on the location of fixed and mobile safety cameras and real-time weather forecasts.
FIAT 500
