Fiat 500

Fiat’s retro-styled model, the 500 is visually almost the same as the first-gen model, launched in 2007. The hatchback received an update recently, however, it did not make much difference to it in aesthetic terms. Fiat 500 was first revealed as the Trepiuno concept at the Geneva Motor Show in 2004, which evolved into the production-spec model three years later before going on sale in 2007. The classic model boasts its pride even years after its birth and continues to charm the customers. 

According to reports, the next-gen Fiat 500 could get an electric set-up, however, the conventionally powered petrol version will be retained. An electrified version of the model is already available for sale in the US market unlike the Australian version which comes with a single 1.2-litre petrol unit. While the electric version will share dimensions with the current model, it is likely to sit on an all-new platform to support the electric set-up. Coming to the pricing part, the Fiat 500 price starts from $ 19.950 (MRLP). 

Colour options on the Fiat 500 include 10 single-tone shades. The mono-tone colours include gelato white, carrara grey, passione red, coral, mint milkshake, teal blue, vesuvio black, colosseum grey, Bordeaux and pompei grey. Talking of the styling, the front is marked by the petite, square-like bonnet and an upright face. The classic double barrel headlamps with integrated LED daytime running lights are retained from the pre-facelift version. A thin chrome strip with Fiat’s logo embossed in the centre is placed between the headlamps. Below this small grille is another blacked-out strip, slightly longer than the chrome-finished unit. Following this are the air-intakes on the lower bumper enclosed by a chrome surrounding, extending towards the wheel arches. Fog lamps are missing in the lower trims, it is specific to the mid-spec and higher variants in the range. At the sides, it equips power adjusting heated wing mirrors, embossed wheel arches, and 15-inch alloy wheels, which appear a bit undersized for the Fiat 500.

A number of trim options are available for the interior as per your liking. A 7-inch touchscreen display is placed in the centre, it also gets FM, AM, DAB+, and radio. Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, USB ports for media management and integrated voice control are some of the other bits that come with the infotainment system. Also, the 7-inch unit gets advanced connectivity features including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Other interior features such as leather-wrapped steering wheel with mounted audio controls, split rear seats (50/5), etc. are also offered depending on the variant on picks. 

With the 74kw, 1.4-litre engine dropped from the line-up, it is now available with a 1.2-litre petrol unit only. This conventional gasoline engine makes just 51kW against 102 Nm torque and is paired to a five-speed manual transmission. It also gets an optional five-speed Dualogic automatic transmission which sends power to the front wheels. This set-up enables Fiat 500 to propel to 100 km/h from rest in 12.9 second with speed topping out at 160 km/h. Safety tech on the model includes seven airbags, ISOFIX attachments tyre pressure monitoring, headlight alignment corrector, hazard light activation during emergency braking and several others.