The Fiat 500 is not a very popular model in the Russian market, but it has managed to gain recognition in many European countries. Its characteristic features are small size, functionality and economy. Over the past two years, manufacturers have significantly modernized the Italian "legend". Let's see what is interesting about the Fiat 500 today?
Model history
The Fiat 500, also named Topolino ("mouse"), is a compact car that was produced in Italy from 1936 to 1955. There were two modifications of this model: the Fiat 500B, produced from 1948, and the Fiat 500C, from 1949.
At one time, this car brought many progressive technical ideas. It had a 569cc four-cylinder petrol engine with 13 horsepower and a four-speed gearbox. In total, 520 thousand copies of this model came out of the factory. Its maximum speed was 85 km / h, and its gas consumption was 5.5 liters per 100 kilometers.
In the summer of 1957, another bestseller, the Fiat 500 Nuova, was released. It was the first for this class of cars to use air cooling. The motor with a volume of 0, 479 liters and a capacity of 13 horsepower was located at the rear.
The Fiat 500 has been redesigned several times. In the fall of 1957, a version with a 15 horsepower engine and a maximum speed of 90 km / h was released. The interior has also been updated: there are lowering side windows and a sun visor.
In 1958, the Fiat 500 Sport appeared with an engine with a capacity of 21.5 horsepower and a volume of 0.5 liters. He developed a speed of 105 km / h.
In 1960, the production of the Fiat 500 Nuova was completed and a three-door station wagon of the Fiat 500D and 500K Giardiniera modifications appeared. It had a longer wheelbase and reinforced brakes. A cargo version of this model was also produced. In 1965, the type of door opening was changed - the doors began to open in the direction of the car. The Fiat 500D was produced until 1969, and the 500K Giardiniera until 1977.
The classic Fiat 500 has made a name for itself on the market as a practical and inexpensive car for the city. It was very popular and became an iconic car in Europe. Over 20 years more than 4 million Fiat 500s were produced. On the conveyor, it was replaced by the Fiat 126.
New Fiat 500
The new generation of the Fiat 500 was introduced in 2007 and was a huge success. In 2008, an international jury of 58 journalists from 22 countries recognized the new Fiat 500 as the best car of the year. In addition, the car received a prize for the best body design, which was developed by the Fiat brand center.
Already in the basic version, the car has an anti-lock braking system and power steering, as well as a stabilization system and an assistant function when starting off on a slope.
More comfortable configurations are aggregated with air conditioning and a radio tape recorder. For a surcharge, the car is equipped with climate control, parking sensors, xenon headlights, and better sound of the cabin radio.
Characteristics
The new Fiat 500 retains the exterior features of its classic predecessor. At the same time, the features of the "techno" style are clearly visible in its body. It attracts attention and pleases the eye. The body can be two-tone with many color combinations.
The dimensions of the car are small - 3550/1650 / 1490mm. This 3-door hatchback is front-axle driven. Fiat 500 is equipped with three types of engine, can have four levels of equipment, and a large list of additional equipment. The manufacturer provides a 3-year warranty or 100,000 kilometers for it.
The car interior is made in a modern way, high quality, from good materials. Despite its small size, it is quite roomy and ergonomic. The original dashboard is a large circle in which the speedometer, tachometer and on-board computer are combined. Getting into the car is comfortable, sitting comfortably both in front and behind.
The Fiat 500 can be equipped with a turbo diesel with a volume of 1.3 liters and a capacity of 75 horsepower, as well as two gasoline power units: 69 horsepower with a volume of 1.2 liters and a new engine with a VVT system with a capacity of 100 horsepower and a volume of 1.4 liters.
Engines 1, 2 and 1, 3 liters accelerate the car to the first hundred kilometers per hour in 12, 5-12, 9 seconds, and the maximum speed is 160-165 kilometers per hour. With an engine of 1, 4, acceleration to the first "hundred" is achieved in 10, 5 seconds, and the maximum speed of the car will be 182 kilometers per hour. The Fiat 500 is an economical car. An engine of 1.2 liters consumes no more than 6.4 liters per 100 kilometers in the city, and 4.3 liters outside the city; engine 1, 3 liters - 5, 3/3, 6 liters, and engine 1, 4 liters - 8, 2/5, 2, respectively.
In 2008, a modification of the Abarth was released with a turbocharged engine of 1.4 liters and a capacity of 150 horsepower. It accelerates to 100 km / h in 8 seconds.
Fiat 500 engines work with a five or six-speed manual gearbox, or are aggregated by a 6-speed Dialogic robotic gearbox. The car is well controlled due to the electric power steering and modified suspension.
Fiat designers also thought about safety. Even in the basic version of the "five hundredth" there are two front airbags, as well as ABS and EBD. In a series of crash tests, the Fiat 500 received five stars, gaining 35 points out of 37.
In 2012, for the 55th anniversary of the Fiat 500, the five-door compact MPV Fiat 500L was introduced.
In 2015, the Fiat 500 received restyling changes. The list of features of the Lounge equipment includes LED headlights, a multimedia system with a 5-inch display and touch controls, a glass roof, a leather steering wheel with a large set of functions, a 6-speaker sound system.
There are two equipment kits available for the Fiat 500: City and Cult. The first option provides for a dual-zone climate control, parking sensors, and other options. The Cult package includes leather upholstery, black roof, TFT color display in the instrument panel.
The Fiat 500 is a modern vehicle with a dynamic and stylish appearance that carries the aesthetics of its iconic ancestor. It is convenient and practical in urban conditions and does not give in to a long journey.
Owner reviews
According to the owners, the Fiat 500 is an underrated model in Russia.
This car has the following advantages: it is compact, agile, economical, it has excellent build quality and handling, it is very stylish and bright like everything Italian. The Fiat 500 is a great option for driving in busy cities and large metropolitan areas. The interior of the car is original and made neatly and soundly. Sitting in the car, the mood rises. Considering the size of the car, we can say that it has a roomy trunk. The Fiat 500 is relatively inexpensive to maintain.
The fiat auto 500 robotic gearbox deserves a separate discussion. Reviews about this gearbox are mostly positive, especially in the "sport" mode. In this mode, "plugs" are practically not felt when the robot is shifting gears, the dynamics of the car increases.
The Fiat 500 has a short wheelbase plus a resilient suspension that gives it good handling. The car confidently holds in corners and at the same time rolls a little.
Of the negative points, motorists who have experience in operating the Fiat 500 note that this car is not for those drivers who love drive and fast driving. It has low acceleration dynamics and does not like bad road surfaces. Some owners mention the rather cramped interior of the car as a disadvantage.
