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By: Ikedi Ani-okoye

The new Fiat 500

The new 500 has just been awarded European Car of the Year status, as voted by 58 specialist journalists from 22 countries. Like Mini, Fiat has taken a long look at its past and has revived an icon. The result? The new 500 looks just like the car that put Italy on wheels in the late 1950s, except, of course, like the Mini it's been super-sized.

It's bigger because it's more substantial than the original, has much more equipment, vastly-improved levels of safety and refinement, more performance... and, besides, we're all getting bigger, too.

About the fiat 500

In fact, underneath die 500's impossibly cute body lies nothing more exotic than the running gear of the Fiat Panda. But there's nothing wrong with that, as the Panda is one of the best small cars around. theory, then, the 500 is a winner from the outset. And, with one or two minor quibbles, that would be a case of stating the bleedin' obvious.

Everywhere I drove the car, people turned and pointed. It's one of those rare cars that can make people smile whether they are outside or behind the wheel. 

Fiat has cleverly made the 500 offering as simple as possible. There are three engine choices - 1.2 and 1.4 petrol and a 1.3 diesel - and three trim levels, oddly called Pop (basic), Lounge Luxury) and Sport (have a guess). Prices start at £7,900 for the 1.2 Pop and rise by £1,400 if you want either the bigger petrol or the diesel engine.

Fiat 500 extras

And you can add a further £1,400 if you want to raise the game and shir From Pop to Lounge or Sport. In other words, a 1.3 or 1.4 Pop will cost £9,300, as will a 1.2 Lounge or Sport. Go the whole hog and order a 1.3 or 1.4 Lounge or Sport and you'll be charged £10,700. On top models that means air conditioning, alloy wheels, Bluetooth phone connection, iPod input, a fixed glass sun roof (Lounge) or sports trim (Sport), plus such niceties as electric front windows, anti-lock brakes and power steering as standard.

But look on that price as just the starting point. According to Fiat, there are 549,936 possible combinations of colours, options and trim. everything from special 'vintage' hubcaps to decal kits to spoilers, badges and chrome strips. Red body and white roof? Nothing so basic, thanks. How about a 'Funk White' car with a black chequered roof and a black number 5 on the bonnet? That little lot will add almost £900 to the bill..

Still, personalisation is just that: down to individual taste. More important is how the basic car goes and those one or two minor quibbles mentioned earlier. By and large it goes very well, bearing in mind that even the most powerful has only 100 bhp at its disposal... Those wanting a go-faster version will have to wait for a tuned Abarth model, due to arrive at some point in the future.

The 1.4 is nominally the quickest, but actually it's the 1. 3 diesel that feels the most lively. That's thanks to its greater levels of engine torque, which provide greater overtaking punch. And while all 500s handle well, the diesel has the better ride: the 1 .4 has Different springs which result in a nervous, jiggly ride over anything but the smoothest Tarmac.

Fiat 500 Compliants

Perhaps the biggest complaint, though, is common to all models. Although the driver's seat is tilt adjustable, it cannot be raised or lowered. As a result, taller drivers feel as if they are sitting too high, perched on the seat rather than sinking into it. That said, it's only a problem at first: after a while you'll get used to it.

CONCLUSION

You won't get used to the seat tilt adjuster, though, which is shaped like - and sits alongside - the handbrake.. and which does a very poor job of holding the car on a hill. But there are inconsequential problems. The bottom line is that the Fiat 500 is a cracker. lt drives well and look great. Little wonder, then, that Fiat is bullish about its sales potential. Makes you wonder why they didn't revise the iconic shape years ago.