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On the road in the new Fiat 500
publication date: Jan 17, 2008
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author/source: Robin Roberts
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You can turn back the clock as you drive into the future with the Fiat 500.
Just over 50 years after the original was launched to a war-battered Italy and then Europe, the new Fiat 500 recaptures some of the styling elements of the original but the package is 21st century.
Bigger in every direction, roomier, more powerful, economical and cleaner, the new Fiat 500 is being seen as a crucial model for the Italian car maker which is enjoying strong sales across Europe.
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Very importantly it is also an extremely safe city car, with a high rating from the European crash testers and a plethora of air bags, and its emissions will also safeguard lungs from harmful gases.
There is just one three-door bodystyle but it comes with a huge variety of paint and decal options, Pop, Sport and Lounge trim levels which can be extended with a range of additional equipment and three engines. These are 1.2 and 1.4 petrol or a 1.3 Multijet diesel, all mated to five-speed gearboxes. |
Steering, brakes and suspension are common with subtle differences to reflect power, weight and driving dynamics.
Fiat UK believe they can sell 18,000 annually and that the majority will be the mid-range Sport derivative with a 1.4 litre engine.They acknowledge that the rising interest in low running costs and concerns over mounting congestion charges are also likely to make buyers seriously consider the 1.2 and 1.3 models. |
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In a comparatively short test I drove the small petrol and diesel models, in Sport and Lounge trim respectively.
Both had good access, a roomy cabin in the front, and a useful if small boot with the ability to quickly fold down the small back seats to double carrying capacity.
Oddments space is reasonable for a city car with door pockets, fascia shelf and glovebox, central console tray an some cubbies in the back.
While the column adjusts for height but not reach, only the driver’s seat can be raised and then by a lever which some may mistake in an emergency for the handbrake. Seat rake is fitted. |
Depending on the trim level there are different layouts to the heating and ventilation on the centre of the fascia but there is a common circular instruments display directly infront of the driver.
It is quite a packed display with small temperature and fuel level gauges flanking a central panel showing on-board computer or entertainment displays.
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A round these is circular tachometer and a speedometer, and until you get use to the layout of the two you may confuse one with the other as they each move clockwise and have the same coloured dials.
It is a very airy cabin with big windows to the front, back and doors, smaller glazed areas behind, and sunroof. Front wipers were effective but the rear blade dragged across the glass on both test cars.
On the road, the 1.3 Lounge looked very attractive with its colour co-ordinated interior and I think they look best in light colours.
Under hand and foot it had plenty of mid range pulling power, the selectable level of steering assistance is not a gimmick but a welcome feature and the location and operation of the high set gearlever makes rapid and effortless five-speed changes to maximise the diesel’s power band.
The seemed to be slightly more body roll with the 1.2 Sport also tested and I had to work this harder on some hilly roads to keep it moving along at the limit. Again, the gearbox helped enormously and it was no chore to drive as a result.
Strangely, both test cars and those of other journalists in my group produced some noise from the front brakes under light pedal effort but it disappeared with hard application.
Over a variety of motorway, A, B and unclassified roads, the Fiat 500 rode very well with few shocks being felt and only the body roll seemingly increasing in the less powerful car.
Despite some truly atrocious weather conditions with heavy rain and a lot of standing or running water across the road, the Fiat 500 never showed any instability. |
On the contrary it behaved very well in the circumstances and had a distinctly reassuring feel for a small car.
Now made in Poland as part of a joint venture with Ford, the new small car will be a welcome addition to the Fiat range, has a striking look and package at a reasonable price and will be a marker for Ford to beat with their version when it arrives towards the end of 2008.
©ROBIN ROBERTS WheelsWithinWales
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