1957 saw FIAT launch the 'Nouvo 500' with a cloth top; now 2009 sees the arrival of the latest 500C ragtop.
FIAT called the original 500 "the car for everyone" because it was cheap. It had a tiny, two-cylinder engine at the back and a tiny but useful boot under the bonnet. Recently FIAT jumped on the nostalgia bandwagon and delivered a modern take on the classic 500 but thankfully put a decent four-cylinder engine in the front and made the car a practical hatchback. The modern 500 pays homage to the original but with its high five-star crash safety standards and economical engines, the 500 is now a premium brand and has a price tag which is a good bit larger than its pint size. 'Mass Exclusivity' is the clever marketingspeak for where the Italian maker wishes the 500 brand to sit.
The 500C is more striking than the tin top. The cloth retractable roof makes the car stand out. The fabric roof is now electric and can be opened and closed at speeds of up to 60km/h. There is a choice of fabric colour and this adds to the whole pleasure of ownership as you can be that bit more individual with your selection. For me, the classic cream car with a red roof worked best. There is also a stunning metallic red paint option, too!
Unlike the MINI convertible, the 500C is more of a Targa top. FIAT says that it was keen to keep the car's impressive 5 Star NCAP score in mind. Anyway, the engineering required to chop the top off and strengthen the car would have cost a fortune. On the go the roof-down experience is almost but not quite as good as the more expensive MINI convertible's. Apart from the cloth roof and some 500C badging, the car's exterior is pure 500. The hatchback-opening boot is gone to accommodate the roof mechanism, but there is minimal loss of conventional boot space (182 litres vs. 185 litres).
Inside the car is still a strict four-seater. In the back there is a refreshing but not intrusive amount of wind buffeting - far less than in a full convertible. With the roof down there is poor rear vision with the centre rearview mirror. Also at junctions vision is restricted due to the large C pillars. The retro feel of the interior is uplifting and fun. The only downside to the 500C's dash is that the centre dial is next to useless when the sun shines. Glare makes the orange illuminated info-screen illegible. Thankfully, the speedometer is not affected.
The 500C will land in Ireland at the end of the year for 2010 deliveries and should come in at under €20,000 (UK price starts at £11,300). 'Pop' and 'Lounge' are the trim options. The current 500's engine range will feature and while the 1.2 petrol is fine for about town, I found the 1.3 multijet diesel to be the ideal unit as it has plenty of torque and is nippy enough for the 'Panda'-based car. Over 360,000 500s have found homes in Europe since its launch (50% of sales outside Italy).
The 500C is the 500 to have. It is truer to the original and will put a big smile on your face.
Michael Sheridan
