MOTORING MOTORING
FIAT 500 CONVERTIBLE Fiat’s little retro-styled 500
model has been an enormous hit for the Italian company, offering city agility and great fuel economy in a chic, eye catching fun package which
ROAD TESTS BY NICK FLETCHER
THe exPeRIenCeD AnD AWARD WInnInG mOTORInG JOuRnALIsT NICK FLETCHER HeLPs OuR ReADeRs CHOOse THe BesT OF THe CARs.
The great joy of the 500C is its fabric full-length powered sunroof, which really does give a convertible effect.
appeals across the age range. Expanding this appeal is the
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convertible version, the 500C, which is not a true convertible as the roof pillars stay in place, providing the framework for a full- length powered sun-roof. Priced from £12,960, with top-
spec version at around £19,000, the 500C just oozes charisma and the promise of good times. The entry-level model uses a 68hp 1.2 petrol engine, and there is also an 84hp 0.9-litre Twinair and a 94hp 1.3 diesel. Given that the 1.2 petrol version returns close on 60 mpg, that is the engine of choice for many, and was the unit in my recent test model, in Lounge specification and priced at £14, 350. It came with a £450 option - Chillout Purple paintwork! Standard kit includes rear
parking sensors, chrome detailing, Bluetooth, alloy wheels, remote locking, power steering with push- button weight-adjustment, power windows, seven airbags, Start-Stop technology, USB port, and air- conditioning. Top speed is 99 mph, the 0-60mph time is 12. 9 seconds and fuel economy is 58.9 mpg combined. Its a neat and nimble car to drive with secure handling, though its ride comfort suffers on rougher surfaces. The great joy of the 500C is its
fabric full-length powered sunroof, which really does give a convertible effect. It folds in stages so you can
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