The new Fiat 500C with its fabric roof was unveiled for the first time at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show – a car that pays homage to the original 1957 Fiat 500, that offers innovative solutions in terms of mechanical design, engine and comfort & safety.
The introduction of a soft top does not hinder the winning characteristics such as its four comfortable seats and boot capacity; it simply adds a new feature that heightens enjoyment. With its clever system of parallelogram hinges, it enables the driver easier access to the boot.
Another strong feature is that thorough aerodynamic research means that the turbulence experienced with the roof open has been reduced to a minimum, allowing the driver and passenger’s full enjoyment of the fresh air.
The Fiat 500c can be enjoyed the whole year round; its features make it one of the most successful convertibles in the modern car segment. The elegant soft top is electrically controlled and has impressive technical features from the glass rear window to the third brake light built into the top itself. Available in three colours (ivory, red and black), the top is matched with various paint finishes which include three ad-hoc creations: a pearlescent Ragamuffin Red, a Tech House Grey so typical of sporty super cars, and Goth-Metal Blue (the latter available for the whole range).
The interior includes faux leather upholstery and an extensive list of market dependent standard and optional features such as: an automatic climate control to the innovative Interscope HiFi System, from the Blue&Me Map portable navigation unit to the smart wind-stop, and from the ‘start&stop’ system to the new collection of custumisable options.
The Fiat 500C retains the same dimensions as the base model (355 cm long, 165 cm wide and 149 cm high) and shares all three of its power units: the 75 HP 1.3-litre MultiJet turbo-diesel engine combined with a five-speed manual gearbox and the two 69 HP 1.2L and 100 HP 1.4L petrol engines, both available with manual or Dualogic robotised gearbox.
To confirm Fiat Automobiles’ commitment to environmental protection and sustainable mobility, the 500C includes the innovative “Start&Stop” system, which controls the temporary cutting out of the engine and its subsequent restarting. When the vehicle stops, putting the gear lever in neutral and releasing the clutch will switch off the engine; to restart, simply put the car back into gear.
In short, the 500 is not merely a super-compact city car, but a real platform upon which Fiat Automobiles is building a whole family of cars with advanced technology and high attention to detail. The new 500C represents another step forward in this direction.