After years of hype and anticipation, Fiat has finally revealed the first official pics of its 500 baby-car, which will debut at October's Sydney motor show and go on sale locally in early 2008.
It's a timely debut as the new-age 500 will launch exactly 50 years after the original 'Bambino' arrived on the international motoring scene.
Fiat presented the 'Nuova' Fiat 500 on July 4, 1957, in Turin, and the car went on to become one of the icons of the motoring industry. It was also crucial to Fiat's rebuilding process after WWII.
Maintaining the synergy, the Italian marque has scheduled the international launch of the modern-day 500 for July 4, 2007, again in Turin. The car will go on sale in Europe immediately after the launch.
Fiat says the new car will conclude an equally important cycle of revival and renewal for Fiat Automobiles -- just as its predecessor did half a century ago.
The official images of the new 500 reveal Fiat has stayed true to the Trepiuno concept that was unveiled at the 2004 Geneva motor show. The production version has the same perky proportions and cheeky face that made the design study such a hit.
Developed by the Fiat Style Centre and manufactured in the Polish Tychy factory, the new 500 is a three-door model with very compact measurements: it is 3550mm long, 1650mm wide, 1490mm tall and has a wheelbase of 2300mm, which means it's slightly smaller than a Daihatsu Sirion.
Fiat claims the car "is extremely entertaining to drive", and it will be offered in Europe with a choice of three engines -- a 56kW, 1.3-litre Multijet turbo-diesel and two petrol powerplants (a 51kW, 1.2-litre and a 75kW, 1.4-litre unit). Each of the engines will be available with five- or six-speed gearboxes.
Although its styling has a heavy retro theme, Fiat claims the new 500 is "the most up-to-date solution for the motorist who wishes to enjoy a car in complete freedom, appreciates it for day-to-day use, but also wishes to drive a car that is entertaining and practical, environmentally-friendly and accessible, as well as which is appealing and full of fun."
We're not sure how much to read into this marketing babble, but it's a double thumbs-up from us as far as the interior and exterior styling is concerned. Bellissimo!
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