New FIAT 500 revealed. July 4th has always been a red-letter date for the Fiat 500. A symbol of mass motorisation in Italy, of which almost 3.8 million were sold, the original Fiat 500 was introduced on that day in 1957. Exactly 50 years later, on July 4th 2007, Fiat chose to celebrate that heritage by introducing the new 500, a car which embodied the same spirit and personality as the original and which also enjoyed phenomenal success all over the world.
Eight years on, with over 1.5 million produced, the torch is now being passed to the New 500 with which Fiat is preparing to take on new market challenges without forgetting its illustrious roots. Centro Stile Fiat has refreshed the exterior and interior, retaining the unmistakably 500 look that has made it such a global success but at the same time making it even more attractive and contemporary. It has not grown in size but it has grown in maturity with advanced technologies, improved efficiency and even more customisation ideas. In this way, Fiat has carefully evolved and refined the features which have made it an Italian masterpiece in the first place.
Available in two body styles (hatchback and convertible), the New 500 will be available in three trim levels: Pop, Pop Star and Lounge. All models have LED daytime running lights, seven airbags and a fiveinch Uconnect infotainment system with six speakers, AUX-IN/USB ports and steering wheel remote controls as standard equipment. The Pop Star version in the UK adds air-conditioning, body-colour mirror caps with glass defrosting function and 15-inch alloy wheels, while the Lounge version adds sophisticated features such as a panoramic glass sunroof, rear parking sensors, a chrome front grille, front fog lights, a leather-trimmed steering wheel and a Uconnect 5- inch LIVE touchscreen infotainment system with smartphone integration and numerous built-in apps to help users stay safely connected while on the move.
The engine line-up of the New 500 2015 at launch includes a 0.9-litre TwinAir engine (85hp or 105hp) and a 1.2-litre 69hp engine. The twocylinder engines boast exceptional performance – 90g/km for the 85hp engine and 99g/km for the 105hp unit – while new ‘Eco’ configurations of the 1.2 litre 69hp (available after the launch) will reduce emissions to 99 grams of CO2 per kilometre. Bold and seductive, the New 500 benefits from no fewer than 1800 innovative detail changes, all designed to enhance originality and refine its inimitable style. Most noticeable are the new front headlights with LED daytime running lights and the new rear light clusters, not to mention the revised colour palette; the revamped dashboard and the improved materials used throughout. The updates are substantial, with a focus on technological evolution, but loyal to the unmistakable 500 style so as not to upset the successful balance of exclusivity and accessibility it embodies. The 2015 Fiat 500 is a global best-seller with a quintessentially Italian heart – elegant and stylish but also affordable and packed with fun – and with its carefully considered enhancements, New 500 will undoubtedly reassert itself as the benchmark in its segment from every perspective. Fiat 500 2015 road test
