We review the Fiat 500 from price to economy and all its features
THERE are few timeless classics: The little black dress, Chanel perfume, the iPhone maybe, but definitely the Fiat 500.
So only a fool would mess with such a style statement and thankfully Fiat hasn’t.
This is the new new Fiat 500, out in September.
It has the same cute looks as the current car but updated for autumn/winter 2015 with new lights, a bit more chrome and more colours. And that’s about it.
Inside the 500 now has that “must-have” connectivity with 5in touchscreen — and it’s more sophisticated too.
It’s quieter, more comfy and better laid out with four deep drink holders and a glove box with a lid.
But essentially this is still the same retro/chic 500 all women love. It’s fun, fashionable and affordable. Elle Macpherson has one. So does Eva Herzigova. And so does my mate’s daughter.
Suzi Perry calls her Gucci edition her “handbag on wheels”.
Prices start at £10,890 for the new 1.2-litre Pop (60mpg/£20 road tax) with start/stop, electric front windows and seven airbags as standard. The convertible with electric canvas roof is £13,540.
I tested the £13,940 Lounge version with the 875cc two-cylinder TwinAir turbo (85hp). That’s the greenest option with Fiat quoting 74.3mpg and CO2 emissions of 90g/km, meaning free road tax.
You won’t go far wrong with that. It puts a smile on your face, makes you feel good — just like that LBD. But there’s also a 105hp version with a bit more fizz.
Really want to stand out? Tick the box for the Beats by Dre sound system — but steer clear of the “second skin” tattoos at £460. They look naff.
Fiat has never struggled to shift the 500. The original sold four million worldwide from 1957-1975.
The icon was revived in 2007 and has sold another 1.5 million, including 220,000 in the UK and a record 44,000 here last year.
The new new 500 will sell like it’s going out of fashion too.
VERDICT: Just fabulous, darling. Bellissimo.