The new Fiat 500 will be presented on July 4, a very symbolic date. The same day but in 1957 appeared the original 500, which was manufactured for 18 years until 1975. Again Turin will be the stage chosen, in a double presentation: on the same day the 500 is formally presented and launched for sale in Europe.
The design of the 500 is distinctly retro, taking the overall aesthetics of the model of the 1950s and adapting it to current parameters and criteria. The Fiat Design Center featured the direction of Frank Stephenson, not incidentally, the designer of the new Mini.
The front of the car is defined by the small circular headlights and the emblem located on a raised surface as in the original model. The cab has a lot of glazed surface, with a windshield that extends over almost the entire roof. Optionally, the transparent roof can be sliding.
In the rear section the chrome details give it some elegance, very well combined with the slightly sporty character of the car. The tailgate is comfortable enough for loading the trunk, with a capacity of 250 litres. The interior will incorporate 4 individual seats and various comfort elements. As optional you can opt for automatic climate control and Blue & me system (developed between Fiat and Microsoft) that groups browser, Bluetooth and USB input.
The Fiat 500 is slightly larger than the Panda, although it is just 3,550 mm long, 1,650 wide and 1,490 high, while its wheelbase reaches 2,300 mm which ensures good interior habitability.
The Fiat 500 equipment will have three engines to choose from, one diesel and two nafteros. The diesel is a Multijet of 1,300 cm3 and 75 hp. Its consumption will be less than five liters every 100 kilometers and this impeller will be coupled to a 5-speed manual gearbox.
The first gasoline engine, 1,200 cm3 with 8 valves and 69 hp, will drive the Fiat 500 at a top speed of 160 km/h, and its average consumption will be slightly over six liters every 100 kilometers. It will also feature a five-speed box. Finally, the 1,400 cm3 16-valve naphthous engine is the most powerful, with 100 hp and six-speed manual gearbox.
The Fiat 500 market segment is as competitive as it is even. The main rivals are the Citroën C1, Chevrolet Matiz or Kia Picanto, Peugeot 107 and Toyota Aygo; on another level by equipment and size is the Mini Cooper. Even so, Fiat believes that the introduction of the 500 will mark a new milestone in the history of the brand, with great sales expectation thanks to the cost-benefit ratio of the product and its ability to reach young people.
In the interior, circular shapes predominate and you can opt for two-tone upholstery (matching a section of the console). There are also some chrome sconces and the instrument groups in a sphere behind the wheel the various indicators (speedometer, tachometer, water temperature and fuel level).
© Adrián Blanco 2007 - No full or partial reproduction of text and/or images without explicit written consent of the author. —
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