The Fiat 500 has 1,800 new elements, but faithful to the city's DNA and original design. It received a new technological package, as well as revised and updated engines to lower consumption and emissions.
On the 4th of July 1957 a story began that is about to turn 60 years old. The story of a “small big car”, of which more than 3.8 million units were sold, making it a true icon of post-war Italian and European industry and culture.In 2007 Fiat decided to revive the legendary 500 for a new incarnation of this city dweller and now, in 2015, the Fiat 500 receives a complete update with the intention of keeping itself on the crest of the wave of the offer of city dwellers in the European market. The renovation of the Fiat 500 was mainly concerned with the design, the cabin, the technological content and the range of engines.
Available in saloon and cabrio versions, the new Fiat 500 retains the same dimensions as the model it replaces, but offers a good package of news: “The New 500 features around 1,800 new elements, all designed to enhance originality and, at the same time, give the model an even more refined style. The headlights are new, with LED daytime running lights, the rear lights, the colors, the dashboard, the steering wheel, the materials: substantial updates, therefore, but faithful to the unmistakable 500 style.”
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The design of the front and rear sections have changed, but they do not compromise the unmistakable signature of the Fiat 500. The cabin has also been extensively revised: “Starting with the dashboard design, which can now integrate the innovative Uconnect infotainment system with a 5” touchscreen in the Lounge version, which guarantees great visibility and fits harmoniously into a set that has been carefully and ergonomically studied”, explains Fiat. The possibilities for standardization, at the customer's discretion, continue to be one of the cornerstones of the Fiat 500, which also receives new driving aids and active and passive safety systems.
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To underline its character of economic city, Fiat has endowed it with a range of more efficient engines, which advertise lower consumption and lower emissions.” Coupled to 5- or 6-speed mechanical gearboxes, or to the Dualogic robotic gearbox, at the time of launch, the range of engines includes the 1.2 with 69 hp, the twin-cylinder with 85 hp or 105 hp and the 1.2 with 69 hp EasyPower ( LPG/gasoline). In a second moment, the range of the New 500 will be expanded with two engines: 1.2 with 69 hp in “Eco” configuration and 1.3 16v Multijet II turbodiesel with 95 hp.”
For this election, Fiat entered the 1.2 Lounge version of 69 hp that announces consumption averages of 4.9 l/100 km and that also competes in the City of the Year class where it faces: Hyundai i20, Honda Jazz, Mazda2, Nissan Pulsar, Opel Karl and Skoda Fabia.
Text: Essilor Car of the Year Award / Crystal Steering Wheel Trophy
Images: Diogo Teixeira / Ledger Automobile