Just got my copy of Autoexpress and in it are photos of the new FIAT 500 - looks great to me with just the right amount of "retro" to the old 500 (not recent Cinquecento) but also a very modern look. Could be a big hit???
Photos here
www.infomotori.co.uk/a_17_EN_4762_2_1.html
and from HJ
www.honestjohn.co.uk/index.php?url=/carbycar/index...m
who reckons it will be a big hit.
Yes, I know it's a FIAT, but shows much more originality but also individuality than their recent efforts
--
Phil
{Slight amendment to subject header to include a hint of what this thread is about - DD}
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Yes I agree, we looked on the internet at this car at work, and everybody liked it from burly men to teenaged girls to IT geeks.
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I also have to agree - Fiat are really getting their design act together at the moment with this, the Panda and the Punto.
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This car looks great. I particularly like the high-waisted look which somehow gives it a chunky appearance. At £6k> these could sell like hot cakes - think Fiat are onto a winner here, just hope it's reliable.
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Looks good from what I saw in Autocar too, BUT...
They are saying Fiat UK will only be importing the more expensive models, from £11000!!
Despite their cover saying new £8000 500 :(
Surely a missed opportunity?
I would be in the market probably for a small city car when this becomes available but at that sort of price to start it is too high.
Hardly the cheap and cheerful tranposrt the orignal was.....
Andrew
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Did I read somewhere that the replacement for the Ford Ka is to be based on this new Fiat?
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Let's just hope they screw it together properly.
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Well the Panda is getting some good reviews on the reliability front so things appear to be moving in the right direction.
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Possibly because it´s built outside of Italy...?
Although I did run an early Barchetta for two years, the only item that needed replacement was the (original) battery. Pleasantly surprising.
Is the 500 designed as a 3 seater, with one mini-seat?
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"Did I read somewhere that the replacement for the Ford Ka is to be based on this new Fiat?"
Indeed new KA based on the same platform and built in the same Polish factory.
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Looks fab. If it's built in Poland then it will be good - crackin' workers those Poles !!
So long as it's reliable and well built it will be a seller.
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I hope it's still got an air-cooled flat twin...
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Does this mean that FIAT will have two cars smaller than the Punto?
Yes, I know that Citroen have 2 cars smaller than the C3 - but I never quite got my head around that, either.
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Does this mean that FIAT will have two cars smaller than the Punto? Yes, I know that Citroen have 2 cars smaller than the C3 - but I never quite got my head around that, either.
That's a reflection on their home markets.
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The 500 is apparently 5cm wider and 5cm longer than the Panda on which it is based (with modification like front crash structure due to short overhang). According to Autocar that makes it 1.65m wide and 3.55m long but their car price guide says:
Panda: 1.589m x 3.538m
Punto 3dr: 1.660m x 3.840 (5dr slightly longer, some models of both still on sale)
Grande Punto: 1.687m x 4.030m
So discounting the old Punto that is still available in limited models, yes there will be two cars smaller than the Grande Punto in the UK. But the Panda will be cheaper than the 500.
Currently in Italy you can still get the 600 (the lightly worked over Seicento) which I guess will be replaced by the 500. So having two cars smaller than the Grande Punto is already the case.
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