Voted the most beautiful car in the world, and the 2007 European car of the Year.
Fiat’s 500 heralds the resurgence of the Italian car maker following a five year financial turn-around.
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The popularity of the 500 has contributed to Fiat’s financial success being not only debt free, but producing a $6 billion profit for 2007, the largest in the company’s 109 year history. The Fiat 500’s biggest problem will be supply, with half of the yearly Australian allocation already pre-sold despite the recent ramp-up in production.
Its non threatening size, flair and individuality is what makes the Fiat 500 so cute and appealing along with three main trim levels and three different engines: a 1.2 petrol, 1.4 petrol producing 74kW and 131Nm, and a frugal 1.3 turbo diesel.
Think the 1.4’s fuel use of 6.3l/100km is thrifty? Then it might sound even more impressive to discover the diesel sips just 4.2l/100km, making it the most fuel efficient car in Australia, even out economising the hybrids.
Launched at the Melbourne motor show with 1950s style Italian dancing and music that evolved into the 21st century pop, the 51-year old Fiat 500 name has embraced the new century with five-star crash safety without losing its classic appeal. The perfect example was the very cute 1950s car covers that were pulled off to reveal the new models, which will be sold as an accessory.
Three Fiat 500s are on show, which represent the three packages and nine models. Starting with the Pop, Sport and Lounge, there are vastly different combinations of colour, wheels, trim and options. Fiat boss David Stone says “personalisation is the key with a host of options for the 500”. There will be three interior trim options, 11 different colours, a choice of three wheel designs and 18 decal and strip packages – the white Melbourne show car shows off red and green Italian pin-striping.
Pricing starts at $22,990 for the 1.2-litre 55kW manual Pop, up to $29,990 for the Lounge with Dualogic manu-matic.
A hotter Abarth version will go on show at the Geneva show this month and is slated for early 2009 Australia delivery.
Abarth is powered by a turbocharged version of the 1.4-litre engine with 99kW at 5500rpm and 206Nm at 3000rpm, in Sport mode. It also adopts a new form of traction control it calls TTC (Torque Transfer Control), which Fiat says improves the transfer of torque to the wheels and ensures stability on bends.
In the less frenetic Normal mode, accessible at a button's push, it is reduced to 180Nm at 2500rpm.
The standard Fiat 500 will thrust into the public spotlight at the Australian Formula One Grand Prix on March 16 where it will be used as the car for the one-make Celebrity Challenge. Did we mention is has a five star crash rating…
The Melbourne Motor Show is also host to the newly arrived Fiat Ritmo range of hatchbacks. Making its debut at the Brisbane motor show a few weeks ago, the Ritmo has a choice of a 1.4-litre turbo petrol engine with 110kW and 206Nm of torque, and the 1.9-litre turbo-diesel offering a similar 110kW and 305Nm. Both engines are available in either six-speed manual or automatic-manual transmissions.
Ritmo is a new name for Fiat; it had to rename the car - called the Bravo in other markets – as Mazda has the name registered in Australia. Ritmo will go on sale in March.
