THERE are many things you can accuse the Italians of, but one thing you cannot say is that they lack style. From the torn white jeans Giorgio Armani wears on a work day at his store to the way an old pasta factory has been converted into a designer hotel, almost everything the Italians do is executed stylishly, and this includes a diminutive people's car called the Cinquecento.
'Cinquecento' is Italian for '500', and in this case it refers to the Fiat 500, first introduced 50 years ago on July 4, 1957, and now reinvented for the 21st century.
But the carmaker takes pains to emphasise that the new supermini is not a remake of the original 500cc rear-engined car - 'it's not a cover version of a hit song', as Fiat boss Luca de Meo puts it. Rather, it is the 'daughter of its forebear', a look to the future while remaining grounded in the functionalities of the first 500.
Whatever Fiat's assertions about the new model, it is clear that the 500 is imprinted into the psyche of the masses. The celebrations on this July 4 included gatherings of Cinquecento club members from all over the carmaker's home city of Turin as their proud owners showed off gleaming examples in all bodystyles - hardtop, accordion top, station wagon and roadster.
When the new model was unveiled on that same day, the public interest was phenomenal. Ferrari and Porsche drivers weaved in and out of traffic on the autostrada just to get a glimpse at the new Fiat 500. Old 500 owners would step on to the road in front of a moving car just to snap a photo. And 32 piazzas across the country marked the occasion by displaying the new 500 in every colour for all to touch and feel.
Like the Mini and the Beetle, the original 500 is an icon. Since it went out of production 32 years ago, pent-up nostalgia has not had its release until now.
From outward appearances, the new 500 does not disappoint its legions of passionate fans. It still has retro styling and is only slightly bigger than the original model. But the engine is now in front under a similarly cute nose; the new 500's platform is based on the Fiat Panda but modified for ergonomics and safety. In fact, it is so safe that it is the only 3.5-metre long car to achieve the maximum five-star Euro NCAP crash safety rating. Along with the recently launched Grande Punto and Bravo, the Italian carmaker says it marks the start of a new generation of Fiat cars, each of which will have high standards of technology and quality, and environmentally friendly credentials.
But how different is a modern-day Fiat? Funnily, the experience is a lot like driving a Japanese car. But that is not necessarily a bad thing since Fiat Group CEO Sergio Marchionne has stated that he wants to achieve Japanese levels of quality. The 500's clutch is light, the steering is well weighted and as a city car it is every bit as manoeuvrable as might be expected.
There are three petrol engines - 1.2, 1.3 and 1.4 litres. Authorised distributor TTS Eurocars is likely to bring in the 1.4-litre 16-valve version. This four-cylinder engine is surprisingly refined even though it lacks oomph at the high end.
Driving around the streets of Turin, it provides perky performance for something with a kerb weight of only around 900 kg. A 'Sport' button quickens engine response, but otherwise, the 500 is best enjoyed below 130 or 140 kmh.
Like the old 500, the new 500 was not conceived for high-speed driving. It is a chic urban runabout, a fashion statement for the mass market, and an affordable but trendy alternative to more pedestrian models. There are myriad paint finishes, interior colours and materials, alloy wheels, accessories and even stickers - the result of Internet feedback from prospective buyers - with up to 500,000 combinations said to be available.
The cabin is especially cool. The seven airbags (including a knee bag) aside, there are also hip design and colour combinations. The steering wheel and dashboard is colour-coded, while the seats can be ordered in different hues and materials.
The new 500 will arrive here in the first half of next year. There will be a choice of a six-speed manual gearbox or Dualogic electro-hydraulic transmission - a sequential robotised system which can be used either as an automatic or a clutchless manual gearbox.
There is no doubt that the new 500 is a cute little number. As the 'manifesto' for the 'new Fiat', one certainly hopes it will live up to its bold declaration.
Engine: 1,368cc Gearbox: 6-speed manual or 5-speed Dualogic transmission Max power: 100 hp @ 6,000 rpm Max torque: 131 Nm @ 4,250 rpm 0-100 kmh: 10.5 secs Top speed: 182 kmh Estimated price: from $60,000 (with COE) Distributor: TTS Eurocars, tel: 6842-2222
