That Italian part of the title means “What a nice day!”
Look, it’s better than the other title: “TFL study finds men more likely to get laid in a Fiat 500 than in a Mustang convertible” For some reason, Roman Mica (TFLCar editor/ Il presidente) was not pleased by my researching technique of rolling up to bars and clubs to see how many people flirted with me. (Sigh) well in truth, they flirted with the car.
Seriously now – this little FIAT makes the driver happy.
Until the itty-bitty Scion IQ hits the streets, the FIAT Cinquecento (“Cinquecento” means 500 in Italian) is the smallest 4-passenger, new vehicle sold in the U.S. At 140 inches long, which is less than 12 feet, the FIAT 500 is about a foot shorter than the Mini and nearly 2-feet shorter than the Ford Fiesta hatchback. Despite the diminutive length and 64 inch width the FIAT 500 compensates with a healthy 64 inches in height. That translates to excellent headroom.
Sure, the back seats are better for storage than adults – it still can hold my rug-rats comfortably. With a child seat on one side and booster on the other, there was just enough room for me and the munchkins to ride comfortably. Being that I tested the 500c model, it was an open top version that ALL kids love. Compared to regular convertibles, the FIAT 500c is more of a large sunroof over a full-blown convertible. The door pillars, including the roof supports are left intact with a folding fabric panel that folds like an accordion all the way down to the boot (trunk).
This type of convertible mitigates chassis flex and cowl-shake. It’s not a “true convertible” by definition, but it feels like one to me.
FIAT added ingredients that don’t look impressive on paper but work nicely in practice. The ‘Multiair’ 101 horsepower 1.4 liter engine puts out 98 lbs-feet of torque. That’s not a lot, but then again, this car doesn’t weigh a lot. The 2012 FIAT 500 weighs less than 2,400 lbs. For a modern car, that’s fly-weight heft.
Multiair is a sophisticated system that changes the valve openings at various engine speeds for maximum horsepower and efficiency. It’s complicated, but all you really need to know is that you can rev the hell out of the engine, get good torque at about 4,000 rpm and get 30 mpg city/38 mpg highway with the 5-speed manual. My numbers for an all around mpg of 31 mpg at over 5,200 feet elevation seems to back up those numbers. The 6-speed automatic is 27 mpg city and 34 mpg highway.
I know, I know… it doesn’t get 40 mpg, which is the Holy Grail of green advocates and PR folk. So what? That represents a less than $100 loss per year if gas were $4-bucks a gallon. That’s more than worth it for this much fun and character. Besides, most of the cars that get that type of mileage either cost more (specially made mpg models) or are boring by comparison (everyone else).
Starting at $15,500 the 2012 FIAT 500 comes with lots of goodies like:
- 1.4-liter 4-cylinder engine
- 5-speed manual transmission
- Air conditioning, interior air filter
- Tilt steering wheel
- Cruise control
- Cloth upholstery
- Front bucket seats, height-adjustable driver seat
- Center console
- Split folding rear seat
- Heated power mirrors
- Power windows
- Power door locks
- Hill-holder clutch
- Traction control
- Dual front airbags
- Front side airbags
- Curtain side airbags
- Driver knee airbag
- Antilock 4-wheel disc brakes
- Antiskid system
- Front-seat active head restraints
- Tire-pressure monitor
- Daytime running lights
- Remote keyless entry
- AM/FM/CD/MP3 player
- Digital-media player connection
- Tachometer
- Trip computer
- Variable-intermittent wipers
- Rear defogger
- Rear wiper/washer
- Floormats
- Theft deterrent system
- 185/55R15 tires
That’s a lot for the dough.
This is a car that, unlike the VW New Beetle, can make guys as happy as gals. Not too sure about the new-new Beetle as VW simply won’t let me get near one. Too much testosterone I wager. That’s what’s so cool about this little Italian; I don’t feel emasculated by it. Sure, it’s not as beefy and capable as the Mini – but it’s a lot cheaper and more comfortable to commute in.
There was one problem I encountered: in my MP3 mix of tunes, the randomly selected song “Am I Evil” came on and, quite frankly, I had to change to something more innocent and cheery. Metallica is simply too much for this car. In the near future, the FIAT 500 Abrath will pack up to 170 hp, tighter suspension, beefier everything and will be an aggressive street-fighter… THAT model can bang its cute little head to serious rock, but until then, the regular FIAT 500 likes the happy stuff.
That’s okay with me.
Il più grande di pantaloni, minore è la stima di sé!
Automotive media, racing, vehicle evaluation, wrecking yards, and car sales are just a part of Nathan Adlen’s vehicular past. He writes out of high octane passion! To read more reviews by Nathan Adlen or just to enjoy more of excellent writing please visit him on at his examiner.com page HERE.
BTW: Have you ever wondered what’s the most fun car you can buy for the least amount of dollars.
Check out the video below and find out.
