The iconic Fiat 500 receives new style… but how much?

The 4th of July is not just a significant day for the USA celebrating American Independence Day, but also a major red-letter day for Italy:  in 1957 the original Fiat 500 was born, which motorised millions of Italians, and received adoration from millions more who found the city car so cute.

The Fiat 500 as retro modern city car

In 2007, exactly 50 years later, Fiat cleverly unveiled the modern-day but thoroughly retro-inspired Fiat 500 on the 4th of July.  It, too, has become an icon, and is today the small city car recognised the world over as the stylish choice for a budget car with supreme style and charisma.

The Fiat 500 is one of those rare cars that is classless, meaning it is not embarrassing to be seen in, no matter in which upmarket suburb or expensive hotel driveway it is driven in.  It is an automotive style accessory.

New Fiat 500… or Fiat 500 facelift?

So when Fiat announced that a new Fiat 500 will be unveiled on the 4th of July (you guessed right) the fear was that Fiat would pull a MINI on us and make it bigger and less eye-pleasing, breaking away from its budget car cute looks.  Fears allayed: the new Fiat 500 is merely a Fiat 500 facelift.  It stays firmly connected to its elegant and cute roots.

How much style has changed on the Fiat 500 facelift?

As a famous fashion designer once said:  the best design is where you cannot take anything away.  The Fiat 500 is such a design – its simple lines proving its longevity, and hence the need for, despite being 8 years of age, no more than a facelift.

The headlights are slightly re-touched, giving a more dynamic slant, though keeping its round eyes.  Fiat 500 was in fact one of the very first cars to receive daytime running lights – these have been updated to new LED daytime running lights in a new split semi-ellipse design.  Why?  It echoes the 500 logo – have a look.  Clever, neat.

The front bumper gets bright “spots” on a black background, making for some striking jewellery.  Its rear bumper is reshaped and now houses the reverse and rear fog lamp.

At the rear, the tiny taillights were re-imagined – the 1-piece lenses are replaced by innovative “empty” light clusters:  the taillight is now a frame around a piece of metal, painted in the colour of the body, so your white Fiat 500 will have white inserts in the taillights.  Simple, stylish.

The interiors are revised, with a new dashboard design to house the 5-inch infotainment system.  To show how it keeps up with technology, this system even has a button labeled Apps.  Upholstery patterns are new, including some retro check patterns, and personalisation options have been extended to include “second skin” 2-tone patterns on the car.

Fiat 500 facelift model range

Engines remain small, including 1.2 and 1.3 diesel (no more than 1.4) and have been improved for efficiency.  Hopefully South Africa will finally get the award-winning 0.9-litre TwinAir 2-cylinder turbo engines.  Trim levels are Pop, Pop Star and Lounge.

The Fiat 500 facelift received the perfect adjustments to style and technology – it should arrive in South Africa towards the end of 2015, again in 500 tintop hatch and soft-top 500C.