Fiat 500C Revealed

hanmust · 16th February 2009, 18:47

Fiat has released photos of the new Fiat 500C, a ragtop model of the Fiat 500 reboot. Before showing it to the public in person, the company is giving out info and pics to people who registered in advance on the car's official website.

As we noted last week, the new cabriolet looked back to the 500's history, drawing inspiration from the 1957 model-year convertible. And unlike rival MINI, which ballooned in size when it was rebooted, the 500C has the same dimensions as its classic car counterpart. At 3.55 meters x 1.65 m x 1.49 m, the tiny 500C is angling to be the perfect weekend-adventure city car.

No new engines have been introduced for the cabrio. Current choices include a 1.2-liter petrol that gives off 69 horsepower, a 75 hp 1.3-liter turbodiesel, and a 1.3-liter 100 hp petrol engine. It is unclear if Abarth will get to toy around with the cabrio, to give it a sportier look and more powerful engine. The Abarth 500 utilizes a 135 hp turbocharged petrol, that produces up to 206 Nm of torque.

Fiat is touting the car's green cred as well. Their StartStop system comes standard on the cabrio, allowing for a temporary engine shutdown during full stops. The system shuts off the engine when the driver shifts into neutral, and releases the clutch after coming to a complete stop. The engine is reignited when the driver selects a gear.

The company claims the car will have a relatively untouched luggage space, even with the top down. They say they are using a "clever parallelogram hinge device" to fold the ragtop over the luggage compartment, keeping your gear untouched. You'll also notice the center brake light mounted to the roof, which should be more visible than a center light integrated in to the body.

Purchasers of the convertible will be able to choose between ivory, red, or black for the top, with several other body color choices. Two of these, Pearl Red and Warm Grey, were created especially for the cabrio. The new Fiat 500C will be introduced to the public at the Geneva Motor Show in March.

Source: worldcarfans.com

abhinav.gupta88 · 16th February 2009, 18:51

Hate the folding roof.
Spoils the look of a beautiful retro.

Nikhilb2008 · 16th February 2009, 19:33

I agree. It looks sad. The Fiat 500 is a great looking car. Wonder why they have to ruin it!

Saurabh M · 16th February 2009, 20:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikhilb2008

I agree. It looks sad. The Fiat 500 is a great looking car. Wonder why they have to ruin it!

Ii indeed looks sad. The second pair of headlamp looks like a tear drop.

vinit.merchant · 16th February 2009, 20:26

Even I agree. It doesn't totally look like a convertible with the metal doors still there.
Not to my taste.
What purpose does this kind of convertible/non-convertible portions serve anyway?

Any takers here for this one here? I find the normal 500 better than this one.

hanmust · 17th February 2009, 11:22

I too didn't liked the convertible, but the colour of the canvas is however good to see.

karlosdeville · 17th February 2009, 12:04

I think that is a very, very smart looking car. Captured the essense of the original to the T.

Quote:

Originally Posted by abhinav.gupta88

Hate the folding roof.
Spoils the look of a beautiful retro.

Incidentally the original had a very similar roof mechanism, it is indeed true to its retro intentions.

DHABHAR.BEHRAM · 17th February 2009, 12:33

I would definitely buy the non convertible, it is just too costly, that's all.

Best regards,

Behram Dhabhar

sharanramesh · 17th February 2009, 12:41

i have to agree with karlo that it has captured the essence of the original, but i am not too sure whether it looks great.

the hard top is the drool machine. jus wish fiat would gift me one for being a loyalist!!

rranjith_kum · 17th February 2009, 20:56

Well the second pair of headlights are standard to the real new Fiat 500 too, I guess the picture is focusing on the new set of Alloys

Nitin · 17th February 2009, 22:44

So where all will this model be released?

The car reminds me of the old Citroen 2CV.

sujaylahiri · 19th February 2009, 07:02

I can see where Fiat is heading with the retro look. Looks pretty chic I believe.

Imagine driving this car on the streets of Paris or Milan.

16th February 2009, 18:47	#1
hanmust Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Calicut Posts: 2,481 Thanked: 262 Times View My Garage	Fiat 500C Revealed Fiat has released photos of the new Fiat 500C, a ragtop model of the Fiat 500 reboot. Before showing it to the public in person, the company is giving out info and pics to people who registered in advance on the car's official website. As we noted last week, the new cabriolet looked back to the 500's history, drawing inspiration from the 1957 model-year convertible. And unlike rival MINI, which ballooned in size when it was rebooted, the 500C has the same dimensions as its classic car counterpart. At 3.55 meters x 1.65 m x 1.49 m, the tiny 500C is angling to be the perfect weekend-adventure city car. No new engines have been introduced for the cabrio. Current choices include a 1.2-liter petrol that gives off 69 horsepower, a 75 hp 1.3-liter turbodiesel, and a 1.3-liter 100 hp petrol engine. It is unclear if Abarth will get to toy around with the cabrio, to give it a sportier look and more powerful engine. The Abarth 500 utilizes a 135 hp turbocharged petrol, that produces up to 206 Nm of torque. Fiat is touting the car's green cred as well. Their StartStop system comes standard on the cabrio, allowing for a temporary engine shutdown during full stops. The system shuts off the engine when the driver shifts into neutral, and releases the clutch after coming to a complete stop. The engine is reignited when the driver selects a gear. The company claims the car will have a relatively untouched luggage space, even with the top down. They say they are using a "clever parallelogram hinge device" to fold the ragtop over the luggage compartment, keeping your gear untouched. You'll also notice the center brake light mounted to the roof, which should be more visible than a center light integrated in to the body. Purchasers of the convertible will be able to choose between ivory, red, or black for the top, with several other body color choices. Two of these, Pearl Red and Warm Grey, were created especially for the cabrio. The new Fiat 500C will be introduced to the public at the Geneva Motor Show in March. Source: worldcarfans.com Attached Thumbnails
	() Thanks

16th February 2009, 18:51	#2
abhinav.gupta88 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Delhi , India Posts: 4,092 Thanked: 325 Times View My Garage	Hate the folding roof. Spoils the look of a beautiful retro.
	() Thanks

16th February 2009, 19:33	#3
Nikhilb2008 Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 5,196 Thanked: 10,136 Times	I agree. It looks sad. The Fiat 500 is a great looking car. Wonder why they have to ruin it!
	() Thanks

16th February 2009, 20:26	#5
vinit.merchant Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Pune Posts: 1,230 Thanked: 1,234 Times View My Garage	Even I agree. It doesn't totally look like a convertible with the metal doors still there. Not to my taste. What purpose does this kind of convertible/non-convertible portions serve anyway? Any takers here for this one here? I find the normal 500 better than this one.
	() Thanks

17th February 2009, 11:22	#6
hanmust Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Calicut Posts: 2,481 Thanked: 262 Times View My Garage	I too didn't liked the convertible, but the colour of the canvas is however good to see.
	() Thanks

17th February 2009, 12:33	#8
DHABHAR.BEHRAM Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: MUMBAI Posts: 3,060 Thanked: 5,353 Times	I would definitely buy the non convertible, it is just too costly, that's all. Best regards, Behram Dhabhar
	() Thanks

17th February 2009, 12:41	#9
sharanramesh BHPian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 170 Thanked: 5 Times View My Garage	i have to agree with karlo that it has captured the essence of the original, but i am not too sure whether it looks great. the hard top is the drool machine. jus wish fiat would gift me one for being a loyalist!!
	() Thanks

17th February 2009, 20:56	#10
rranjith_kum BHPian Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Coimbatore/ Aachen Posts: 693 Thanked: 20 Times View My Garage	Well the second pair of headlights are standard to the real new Fiat 500 too, I guess the picture is focusing on the new set of Alloys
	() Thanks

17th February 2009, 22:44	#11
Nitin Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 3,294 Thanked: 20 Times View My Garage	So where all will this model be released? The car reminds me of the old Citroen 2CV.
	() Thanks

19th February 2009, 07:02	#12
sujaylahiri BHPian Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: North America Posts: 960 Thanked: 6 Times View My Garage	I can see where Fiat is heading with the retro look. Looks pretty chic I believe. Imagine driving this car on the streets of Paris or Milan.
	() Thanks