* The Fiat 550 convertible.
* The open-air cockpit.
* Shape of things to come: the new all-electric Fiat 500.
Fiat
500C Road test by Steve Rogers
It's
February. Storm Dennis has flooded half of Britain. Our garden even has a
covering of snow. What have sitting on my drive? A Fiat 500 convertible.
Am
I the eternal optimist or just stupid? Neither actually, I wanted to drive the
500 and this was the only model the Fiat press office had available for this
particular week.
As
it happens driving a convertible in the rain really is no problem, as long as
the roof is closed of course.
Modern day soft tops are all year round cars,
robust and soundproofed to the enth degree as is the case with the little Fiat.
Not
that the 500 is a true convertible. The canvass roof folds back, but not all
the way down to boot level, mainly because there is not enough boot space to
store it. Think of it as taking the lid of a can of baked beans.
But with the
roof back passengers are still exposed to the elements and the whole opening
operation (powered) can be done at any speed. There is a fair bit of buffeting
which can be reduced by fitting a wind brake but I couldn't be bothered given
the small amount of time I was able to enjoy driving al fresco.
Of
the limited number of retro cars the 500 is the most authentic, unlike the
modern day Mini, whose dimensions have changed so much it looks more like an oversized
adult than the puny child we all loved. On the other hand the 500 could nearly
pass for a 1957 original.
That
is the way Fiat wanted it. The car that was revived in 2007 was a little
bigger, obviously more modern, but still had the look of the Italian diva about
it.
Since
my week of Fiat 500 nostalgia we have had news of a third generation 500 which
will be all electric. The chances of getting hold of one this year are slim
with each country getting 500 luxury examples and it is first come first
served.
Bold
move given that 500 sales have been strong since the launch of the 2007 model
and provide a huge chunk of the company's income. Fiat is predicting a range of
199 miles from the electric motor which will have a five minute fast charge
option that will be good for 30 miles.
Anyway,
back to the current petrol powered model. I never got to drive an original 500 but
doubt there was much oomph in its little engine, something it has in common
with the modern day version. You get a choice of two: the turbocharged Twinair,
which is quite perky, or a straightforward 1.2 which was powering my test car.
It can lull you into thinking it is moderately nippy because it buzzes along
and bobbles around a bit on the short wheelbase. In truth the suspension falls
short of the quality found in the modern day city car.
I
see from the bumph the new model is a bit longer, but more significantly has a
wider track which improves stability so it should drive a whole lot better. And
the electric motor gets you to sixty in well under 10 seconds which is a good
bit quicker than the 1.2 petrol.
The
current 500 had an upgrade a few years ago. Visually it amounted to tweaks to
the front and rear light design but most of it was under the skin so the car is
fairly well off on the tech front. It has a seven inch touch screen for radio
and navigation etc and my convertible came with cruise control, air
conditioning, powered windows so there is nothing basic about it.
What
it really needs is heated front seats, surely an absolute essential for any
convertible.
I
do like the 500s roof set up. Apart from being able to operate it at any speed
it can be opened to any position, it is just like a giant sunroof and there
will be a convertible model on the new electric car, and it will have heated
seats.
Normally
the arrival of a new model means there are lots of good deals as garages try to
shift old stock. As the new model is a slow release it could be a while before
the bargains start to pop but a chat with a Fiat dealer might not be a bad
idea.
There
are lots of city cars out there which have more space and drive
better than the 500 but none of them have the same charm as the baby Italian.
Fast
Facts
500C
Star
£18,045
1.2
litre; 69bhp
0-62mph
12.9secs; 101mph
49.6mpg
combined
108g/km.
1st year tax £120
Insurance
group 10
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