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28/01/2010
By EWAN KENNEDY
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Ahead of schedule, the gorgeous little Fiat 500C convertible has reached Australia. Probably because it's not really the car the Europeans want at the moment, not when the temperature is hovering around zero degrees up there.
But in this wonderful land downunder the heat is well and truly here, the skies are a brilliant blue and those who love open-top motoring are cruising around feeling proud of their home country.
Fiat's PR team has excelled in its hyperbole and thrown political correctness out of the window in its press release announcing the arrival of the little Fiat 500C. Just look at these over-the-top statements from Fiat Australia’s chief, Andrei Zaitzev: “Europe’s hottest model, seen topless at all the top beach resorts in Europe last northern summer, has been spotted at Australian beaches ... the Fiat 500C has to be the car to be seen in this summer ... owners could be first at the beach to take the top off their Fiat 500!”
We do so love the attitude of the Italians...
For Australia, the new 2010 Fiat 500C has a 1.4-litre 74 kW engine with a choice of a manual or an automated DuaLogic gearbox. Prices begin at a modest $28,990 for the manual and $30,990 for the DuaLogic version. Statutory and on-road costs need to be added to these figures. The Fiat 500C has a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating and is well equipped.
This isn't a convertible in the normally accepted sense of the word, rather the 500C has a huge soft sunroof that folds all way back. This not only creates plenty of open air, but also pays homage to the original 1957 open top Fiat 500. This new 500 is a stunning looking little machine.
The clever roof has a glass rear window, it folds away at the press of a button. The boot space is comparable to the Fiat 500 hardtop and it is easily accessible through a cleverly hinged boot lid. If the top is down, pressing the boot opening button signals to the roof to partially close so it does not impinge on the use of the boot.
Trendy looks, the ability to be customised, and the fact that it works brilliantly in inner city areas because of its diminutive size should make this a sure seller. If you're halfway interested may we suggest a quick trip to your local Fiat dealer, because only small numbers are available in the first shipments – and the queue will grow if you're slow.
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