The countdown to the local introduction of the Fiat 500 is now well and truly underway and the Durban Motor Show is the first time that Kwazulu-Natalians will have the opportunity to see the European Car of the Year up close and personal before its official launch on 4th July, exactly a year after it debuted in its native Italy.

Initially, the 500 will be launched in two petrol engines. The 1242 cc Fire engine that has undergone a series of refinements designed to make it a champion of fuel economy, but without detracting from performance. It delivers 51 kW at 5500 rpm and peak torque of 102 Nm at 3000 rpm, with a top speed of 160 km/h. That’s not all. With the 1.2 8v engine, the Fiat 500 leads its class for consumption, delivering 5.1 l/100 km in the combined cycle, with CO2 emissions of 119 g/km. Acceleration to 100 km/h is also excellent at 12.9 seconds. It’s mated to a five-speed manual gearbox. Next up is the 1.4-litre 16v engine that currently sees service in the jaunty Panda 100HP. With a maximum of 73.5 kW on tap at 6000 rpm and peak torque of 131 Nm at 4250 rpm, performance is excellent: this 500 has a top speed of 182 km/h, and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 10.5 seconds. A six-speed manual gearbox is standard on the 1.4-litre model.

Three trim outfits have been selected: Pop, Lounge and Sport. The entry-level Pop spec is exclusively available on the 1.2. Extremely well equipped, standard equipment includes seven airbags (including a driver’s kneebag), ABS with EBD, electric windows and mirrors, remote central locking, height-adjustable driver’s seat, air-conditioning and audio controls on the steering. The 1.4 versions are available in either Lounge or Sport guise. In Sport trim, 15” alloy wheels, a rear spoiler, leather ‘Sporting’ steering wheel, Stability Control (ESP), Traction Control (ASR), Hillholder, Sport-specific internal upholstery and colours, as well as Blue&Me (audio and telephone connectivity) are added to the package.

The Lounge outfit is similarly specced to the Sport but features different 15” alloys and forgoes the rear spoiler for chrome-trimmed details and a fixed glass roof. As with the Sport, this model boasts Lounge-specific internal upholstery and colours.

What makes the South African Fiat 500 launch different from any other car launch is the fact that the buying experience is totally unique. You see, you don’t just buy a 500, you create one! It’s for this reason that all Fiat dealerships countrywide are totally geared up to receive orders for your very own personalised 500.

An essential tool in this purchasing process is the Fiat 500 Configurator, which is accessed via the Fiat website or you can go directly to Fiat 500 website. Now, customisation, personalisation and individualisation are what the Fiat 500 Configurator is all about. It enables you to enter a virtual showroom and spec the 500 of your choice – inside and out. (Bear in mind that the permutations are virtually endless; you could have 500 000 Cinquecentos in a row and no two would be absolutely identical.) You then get to see your finished product from every angle and in motion. You have the option to save your creation and give it its very own name. This allows you to revisit your car, make changes or, if you wish, create another unique 500. Should you want to go ahead with the order, you simply give the dealer the name of your preferred 500 as it has been configured in the virtual showroom. Of course, as all sales staff have been fully trained on our new bambino, if you prefer, they will be more than willing to sit with you and help you spec your own 500.

Final pricing depends entirely on the new owner since Fiat 500 can be specced up to whatever you want. What we can say is that it will be very competitively priced against other premium B-segment offerings with the “base versions” retailing between R150 000 and R180 000, dependant on exchange rates.

Courtesy: Fiat Group Automobiles, South Africa

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Posted by Jigar Gondalia on 16 April, 2008 3:57:42 PM IST #