Richard Bremner
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From
July 8, 2007
Fiat 500
The new king of cute
If the original Fiat 500 were still around it would be celebrating its 50th birthday. This twin-cylinder, puttering bubble of a car helped motorise postwar Italy, driving its way into the heart of the nation, and much of Europe too.
Alas, the last Fiat 500 rolled off the production line 22 years ago but, inspired by the success of other relaunched classics like the VW Beetle and the Mini, Fiat has revived it. The (re)launch party was in Fiat’s home city of Turin, accompanied by a fireworks display. Fiat has more to celebrate than the rebirth of its most famous product; the company is now in profit after three perilous years of loss that had its survival in doubt. A fast-renewing range – it is also about to release the Bravo hatchback – has turned its fortunes around.
This new Fiat 500 makes you pleased that the Italian company didn’t go the way of Rover. A glance at it has you smiling – this is an old friend in modern wrapping. You will be amused by the reappearance of the circular headlamps that created the earnest little face of its predecessor, and the Mona Lisa-like smile suggested by the chrome strip on its nose. There are retro references inside too, including a circular instrument pod and a body-coloured dashboard.
Though instantly identifiable as an interpretation of the original, the substance of this new 500 couldn’t be more different. The 1957 edition was rear-engined, its air-cooled twin cylinder hard pressed to push the Fiat far beyond 60mph. Today’s 500 is based on the Fiat Panda, its four-cylinder water-cooled engine driving the front wheels. This time you get a choice of engines, including a 69bhp 1.2 litre petrol, a 100bhp 1.4 litre twin-cam six-speed version of the same engine, and a 75bhp 1.3 litre turbodiesel.
More impressive still is that this baby car, aided by seven airbags, scores the full five stars in the Euro NCAP occupant protection crash test. It has antilock brakes as standard and can be ordered with electronic antiskid control.
But enough of the serious stuff: this car is meant to be fun and in that spirit Fiat will offer it with myriad paint jobs, trim and accessory options. There are also 100 accessories to choose from including a fragrance diffuser, a navigation system, chromed door mirror capping, a ski rack and an additional front bumper bar just like the one worn by deluxe versions of the original 500.
None of it would matter much if this Fiat didn’t measure up, but the good news is that it is a thoroughly capable and hugely enjoyable car to drive. It is both refined and quiet: conversation is easy even at the 100mph maximum of the basic 1.2 tested, and the lack of wind, road or engine noise at speed makes long journeys – for two, at least – entirely palatable. There’s room for four but adults will feel confined, and they’d have to travel light because the boot is compact. However, for a city car, accommodation is fine.
Although the 1.2 is not the briskest thing its lower power and lower price are true to the spirit of the original, and the engine’s smoothness makes you more than happy to work the gearchange hard, just as old 500 owners did. They would have had to double-declutch to deal with the unsynchronised cogs, whereas the new box is light of movement, its lever capped with an amusingly oversized gobstopper of a knob.
As with many Fiats, the power steering has two settings, the lighter for town work, and it changes the 500’s direction with alacrity. That makes it a game partner on a twisty road. It’s not quite as sharp as a Mini, or Ford’s ageing but still excellent Ka, but it’s good enough to be fun. Better still is a surprisingly pliant ride, and a robust feel over rough roads, confirming the impression that this is a very well made little car.
Quality, claims Fiat, is of a higher order than Toyota achieves, and underpinning this claim is an extended warranty – admittedly optional – that will cover the car for five years and a staggering 300,000 miles. That alone is a sensible reason to buy. But we suspect that for most people the decision to purchase this excellent Fiat will be made with the heart, not the head.
Vital statistics
Model Fiat 500 1.2 8V Pop
Engine type 1242cc, four cylinders
Power/Torque 69bhp @ 5500rpm / 75 lb ft @ 3000rpm
Transmission Five-speed manual
Fuel/CO2 55.4mpg (combined cycle) / 119g/km
Performance 0-62mph 12.9sec / Top speed: 100mph
Price £9,300 est
Verdict Cute, well made, practical, charming and hard to resist
Rating 
Date of release January 2008
The opposition
Model Mini One £11,525
For Cute and cultish, finish, verve and economy
Against Pricey, poor space efficiency
Model Ford Sportka 1.6i SE £9,995
For Stylish, brilliant to drive, surprisingly practical
Against Old, low quality interior, soon to be replaced
I test drove one yesterday and ordered one straight after. My Scenic died on me on Friday and it was a sign. I brought it with my heart, didnt have to think twice, they sell themselves.
Bellissima!
Jo, Seaford, East Sussex
As their market share has dwindled in IE&UK Fiat has discounted heavily and bought market share. I think that the plan for the 500 is to price it at a premium in the knowledge that is will still sell reasonably well. It’s a cash cow for Fiat, the first in a long time. Well Done FIAT :)
Joey, Enkoping, Sweden
I've been waiting along time to see the actual UK model at a dealer. I've also been on the fiat mailling list for updates on the 500 since it was lauched at the motor show.
I visited my main dealer on the south coast and was hoping that the hype was valid - It was! i tested both the 1.3 multi-jet diesel and the 1.4 sport. The eco benefits are great with the diesel but the all round drum breaks are not responsive enough for me, so i approved the all round vented disc breaks on the sport model. I too had head space issues in the back seat (i'm 6'2") but it had plenty of room in the front. The driving position was relaxed and comfortable. There are only 2 things ididn't like about the car:
1. The upper boot lining and pull handle are cheap and will not last.
2. There is a small pull out storage draw, built-in to the centre console, its lip handle digs into your left leg below the knee whilst driving.
Apart from this I couldn't fault the car and drive.
I ordered the sport model. JB
jamie, brighton, UK
£9300 buys you a car with aircon, alloys, electric windows, remote locking, glass roof, leather steering wheel with stereo mounted controls, bluetooth technology, split rear seats and a host of other things. Actually go and see them, drive them and then say a Aygo is as good! The quality of them makes all those other cars look nasty, and it does at least look like a 500, not like the hideous Mini from BMW!
Fiat have been making cars in Poland for decades, the current Panda, the best small car bar none is made in the same factory.
barry , new milton, UK
We visited a dealership three times over the Christmas period, none of the staff spoke to us, in fact on one occasion they were all stood around a desk whilst two members of staff played chess. Anyway onto the 500:
Initial looks at the car were favourable, however once I closed the door I discovered that I didn't fit in the cabin (my build is athletic, but not huge). I had to lean into the cabin or my right arm would press against the door panel.
On attempting to sit in the rear of the car, I bumped my head on the roof lining (I'm 6' 1"). The only way I could find enough headroom was to slide forward down the seat squab by 9 inches or so, not comfortable, or safe. So basically, don't expect to get adults in the back.
The dash plastics appear to be of good quality, the gear-change is in a nice position and the front seats are comfortable (though too high for my liking).
Look around the car and you'll find cheaper plastics (e.g., seat tilt lever).
6/10 when compared to a MINI.
Steve, Blackpool,
Sounds and looks promising - but surely that price is wrong for the basic model? Handling-wise, it will have to match up to the "Ford's aging but excellent Ka" - the true sucessor to the original Mini (i.e. cheap, fun motoring). You can pick up a new basic Ka for £5000 at most dealers - so you could get nearly 2 x Ka's for the same price as a new basic 500. I'm afraid that's a no-brainer for me, no matter how cute it looks.
Alex Duggan, Southampton, UK
Does anybody know that teh new Fiat 500 is ONLY produced in Poland in the town of Tychy?? Imagine!!!
Jens, London,
I have just returned from holiday in Sardinia where I hired a new Fiat 500 for 3 days. I loved the car and was amazed that at 6ft 5ins, I was quite comfortable in the car!
I was stopped or approached on 6 occasions by tourists and locals alike wanting to inspect this fun car!
However, on the down side, I found the performance disappointing (I had the 1.4 litre 6 speed petrol version) and the visibility very poor at the rear. The (very large) wing mirrors have to be employed for reversing but this was helped by rear parking sensors.
That said, as a town car, this will be a winner and I'm sure will sell well!
Nick Larkin, Solihull,
i've just got back from a months holiday in liguria north italy where i drove one for a month im a motor trader so i've driven a few cars in my time and have alway's found flaw's but this one in my opionion is flawless an absolute gem to drive,amazing looks inside and out 10/10 well done fiat better than the orignal ps:and that say's it all.
john carlow.london
john carlow, london, england
This looks a fantastic car! The pricing in Italy looks spot on, but I predict it will be closer to Mini prices in the UK and that will kill it off here. I hope I am wrong and it is priced £3,000 below the Mini, but I doubt it. I would never pay £12,000 for a basic Mini and I won't pay £9,000 for a basic 500 either.
John Smith, manchester, uK
I live near Rome and have started to see them on the roads. As a student in Sheffield I owned a 1972 500 and will be swapping my Audi A2 for one of these new ones next summer I think. They have got the styling and interior spot on. Good work Fiat!
Greg morgan, Rome, Italy
I have owned the old version, and miss it for the last 22 years. I miss the character of the car. It seems that Fiat have done a great job in re-inventing the Fiat 500.
I hope to test-drive one soon, and purchase one for my company. At least, I will be able to park in London, as my current one is almost double in length, and petrol consumption, too. Can't wait!
suzana sterland, London, UK
9300 sounds too expensive, probably it's the price of the top model. The car should be amazing, the design is simply great and driving must be fun.
Gabriel, Hanoi,
Irrsesitible!
Fiat 500 seems so good and attractive. I work 6 days at the office where just 5 mins walk from my flat. However, I cannot wait to see F 500 here in Istanbul.
Fatih Senturk, Istanbul, Turkey
The interior looks great.
Have you driven the new 500 Phil? Seeing as it isn't even out in the UK yet and hasn't been out long in the rest of Europe, I somewhat doubt it. The C1 and 107 (why doesn't the Aygo make your list? They're all based on the same platform) are only available with 1 litre engines - the 500 has far more choice, a 1.2 69BHP, a 1.3 diesel offering 75BHP and a 100BHP 1.4. If you want a cheaper small Fiat they already have that in the shape of the Panda.
James, Wakefield,
I love it, and I will have it! The design is brilliant, and if the ride and quality is as good as journalists world wide claim - it´s an easy choice for a car nr 2.
Jon, Bergen, Norway
With that interior it's a girls car and at a fraction under £10K they're having a laugh. The C1 or 107 are just as good a micro car for £4K less and if you wanted to spend more go for a Micra. Fiat may be looking to cash in on retro nostalgia but not at that price.
PHIL, Douglas, UK
I guess the 9,300 GBP price is not for the basic version, which in Italy starts from 10,500 euros for the 1.2 (about 7,100 GBP) up to 14,500 euros (about 9,800 GBP) for the deluxe 100HP.
I heard that the price in the UK is supposed to be about 3000 GBP lower than the Mini One.
riccardo bianchini, cremona, italy
Dear Mr Fiat,
please can we have an electric-powered version of your lovely new car.
The bulk and weight of even the most basic battery system would surely be similar to that of your existing petrol engine and fuel tank, albeit without the range ( that 90% of your customers won't use, anyway - for 90% of the time )
So come on Fiat, lead us into the 21st century, rather than giving us yet another example of what, in the case of the internal combustion engine, is essentially 19th century technology.
thanks.
tokenpom, Bundaberg, QLD, Australia
Well, they're out already in Italy, so it's off to the showroom on Saturday to have a look!
Wendy, Modena, Italy
Phew! Not only is the future of Fiat saved, but so is the future of small, fun (but not necessarily cheap!) car ownership. Looks a tad expensive at first but then so is a MINI and BMW have been laughing all the way to the bank since its launch. It's not meant to compete with Panda and Punto (or other such small(ish) practical hatchbacks - although Fiat admits itself that the Punto isn't exactly small anymore by sticking the work Grande before its name. The new 500 looks sensational (a far better reincarnation than BMW's MINI over the original), is apparently great to drive, has the most wonderfully alluring interior, fantastic personalisation, is safe and relatively green. It's what buyers of (proper) small cars have been waiting for for years. Hurrah! When do the order books open Fiat???
Adrian Barrett, Milton Keynes,
£9300? That's about £2-3k more than the basic Pandas & Puntos - surely some mistake.
Spike, Harrogate, England