In Pictures: Fiat's cheeky cinquecento
Brand new Sport, Pop and Lounge models fondly recall the Fiat 500's Italian history. Bob English takes you on a tour of the popular little go-getter.
Chrysler is set to begin leveraging its relationship with its Italian partner this month with the introduction of the much anticipated little Fiat 500, which will join the growing fleet of Euro and Japanese style sub-compacts now available in Canada.
The first Cinquecentos: The Fiat 500 - cinquecento in Italian - has been an off- and on-again Italian icon since the first tiny two-seater appeared in the mid-1930s, soon acquiring the nickname "Topolino," or little mouse. Half a million or so were built before production halted after the Second World War.
The first relaunch: Fiat re-introduced the 500 in 1957 and had produced almost four million of the little cars by 1975, when it was replaced by more sophisticated designs.
1958-1960 Nuovo Fiat 500 Sport: The middle-generation Fiat Nuevo (new) 500 of 1957 was just 2,970 mm in length and weighed 470 Kg. The rear-hinged "suicide-style" doors opened to a very basic two-seat interior with a rear cargo platform. It had a roll-up cloth top and a canvas bag of tools. Suspension was independent with drum brakes and the engine was a 479 cc, air-cooled, four-stroke twin that made all of 13 horsepower, delivered to the rear wheels through a four-speed gearbox. Top speed was 85 km/h and fuel economy an average of 4.5 L/100 km. It was replaced by the D model in 1960. Cinquicentos were built by Italy's Autobianchi and the Austrian company Puch in the 1950s and 60s.
Fiat 500 Giardiniera (1960 - 1977): The Giardiniera (gardener) introduced in 1960 was a station wagon or mini-minivan version of the 500, with a 100 mm longer wheelbase and aimed at those who needed something with a bit more utility. Although based closely on the normal 500, it had a 17.5 hp motor to help haul around all that heavy cargo. It enjoyed the longest production run of all the 500 models.
Fiat 500 F Berlina: The 500 F four-seater, produced from 1965 to 1972, was the first 500 with front-hinged doors, which looked neater and were said to be safer in a crash. It also had a stronger transmission and the engine now made 18 hp, which could propel the F to 95 km/h, at the expense of fuel economy increased to 5.5L/100 km.
Fiat 500 F, produced from 1965 - 1972
Fiat Abarth 500: For those frustrated by the Fiat 500's low power output there were "tuner" versions. Most notable were those of Austrian Carlo Abarth, who introduced his first modified Cinquecento at the Turin motor show in 1957 with a sizzling 20 hp engine, compared to the stock 13 hp model.
Fiat Abarth 500: With 20 hp now available it didn't take long for the 500 to find its way to the race track where it could manage about 100 km/h. Exciting enough it you were banging door handles with a couple dozen other Italian race drivers. By the early 60s Abarth conversions increased power to 30 hp.
Fiat 500 L Lusso: The L model, or Lusso, of 1968 was to be the last of the volume produced Cinquecentos and boasted a number of improvements that addressed customer demands for a more "customized and luxurious" 500. It came with chrome bumper bars up front and rear bumpers, additional chrome trim, radial tires, redesigned and larger lights and inside a redesigned steering wheel and dash and better upholstered seats.
Fiat 500 Lusso: The Lusso still made do with just 18 hp, but fuel economy was improved to 5.3 L/100 km despite an increase in weight attributed to all the new "luxury" touches.
Fiat 500 Lusso: The Lusso was in production, essentially unchanged until 1972 when the 500's replacement, the Fiat 126, was launched.
Fiat 500 R Rinnovato: Fiat's new 126 might have had style and the latest technology on its side as a Cinquecento replacement, but enough Italian buyers still wanted a 500 that Fiat created a final model called the R or Rinnovato (renewed) with a 23 hp, 594 cc engine.
Fiat 500 R: The 500 R, the final version of the mid-generation 500 finally puttered off into motoring history in 1975.
2011 Fiat 500 for North American market: Slightly larger than the original, fuel economy with a manual transmission is rated at 6.7 litres/100 km city and 5.6 litres/100 km highway. And they're equipped to a surprisingly sophisticated level with safety, comfort, performance and even mildly luxurious features, depending on whether you pop for a Pop, spring for a Sport or lay down your money for a leather-lined Lounge.
Fiat 500 Pop: The $15,995 Pop may be the entry level model, but it still boasts power windows, mirrors and keyless entry plus ABS brakes, electronic stability control, hill start assist and traction control, an audio system and a multiplicity of airbags. You'll have to pay extra for air conditioning and an automatic transmission.
Fiat 500 Lounge: The Lounge - the what? - edition is priced at $19,500 and adds leather seating surfaces and a leather wrapped wheel and shift knob, plus a panoramic glass roof, auto temperature control, upgraded audio and upmarket trim items to the mix.