Motoring: Fiat’s little big winner gets an upgrade

WHEN it burst onto the scene eight years ago, the Fiat 500 immediately charmed motorists across the globe; many instantly attracted by its mix of retro chic and great performance.

The biggest little car ever produced by the Italian giant has sold in massive numbers since its launch in 2007, with more than 1.5 million variants produced. Not quite as successful as the original car, first launched in 1957 and which went on to sell almost 3.8 million, but very creditable.

It has outstripped the somewhat anonymous Ford Ka, which ironically shares the same chassis, and Fiat has continued to successfully market the car on its personality, Italian flair and Roman heritage – despite it being produced in Poland.

Eight years on, Fiat is now ready to launch the car’s replacement and it has sensibly opted for evolution rather than revolution.

In Fiat’s own words it is “preparing to take on new market challenges without forgetting its illustrious roots”.

To this end, Fiat’s Centro Stile design team has carefully refreshed the exterior and interior, but retained the unmistakable 500 look that made the original such a success.

It has not grown in size but it has grown in maturity with advanced technologies, improved efficiency and even more customisation ideas.

Produced in two body styles – hatchback and convertible – the new Fiat 500 will be available in three trim levels: Pop, Pop Star and Lounge. All models have LED daytime running lights, seven airbags and an Uconnect infotainment system with six speakers, AUX-IN/USB ports and steering wheel remote controls as standard equipment.

The Pop Star version in the UK adds air conditioning, body-colour mirror caps with defrosting function and 15-inch alloy wheels, while the Lounge version adds sophisticated features such as a panoramic glass sunroof, rear parking sensors, a chrome front grille, front fog lights, a leather-trimmed steering wheel and a Uconnect 5” LIVE touchscreen infotainment system with smartphone integration and numerous built-in apps to help users stay safely connected while on the move.

The engine line-up of the new car includes a 0.9-litre TwinAir engine (85hp or 105hp) and a 1.2-litre 69hp unit. The two-cylinder engines boast exceptional efficiency – 90g/km for the 85hp engine and 99g/km for the 105hp unit – while a new ‘Eco’ configurations of the 1.2 litre 69hp (available after the autumn launch) will reduce emissions to 99 grams of CO2 per km.

Despite what might seem apparent, Fiat claims the new car benefits from no fewer than 1,800 innovative detail changes. Most noticeable are the new front headlights with LED daytime running lights and the new rear light clusters. There is also a revised colour palette, revamped dashboard and the improved materials used throughout.

One of the factors which helped to lure those initial buyers was the car’s city-friendly performance. The new car retains its existing dimensions but the design of the front and rear ends have been refreshed somewhat.

Fiat says: “The exterior style expresses all the distinctive elements which characterised the 1957 original but now reasserts this appeal with more a contemporary look and additional technical content.”

The most obvious reference to the past can be found at the front. The new car retains the ‘face’ of its predecessors with headlights which are still circular in shape but have a more dynamic slant. The bonnet retains its distinctive, traditional clamshell form, another nod to its iconic predecessor.

The rear is transformed by the addition of exclusive new ’empty’ light clusters comprised of an innovative ring-shaped structure with body-coloured centres.

New alloy wheel designs are also introduced and will be offered in 15 and 16-inch sizes and in a variety of finishes including an elegant diamond-cut design. The colour palette now totals 13 hues (seven pastel, one solid and five metallic) including two new colours: Glam Coral and Avantgarde Bordeaux. Two striking black-yellow and black-red variants are also available as part of the Fiat 500 ‘Second Skin’ initiative which offers a range of customisation options capable of satisfying every individual taste.

The new car will go on sale in the UK in early September with prices starting at £10,890 OTR. More details will be made available closer to the vehicle’s launch.

Frugal Ford trounces opposition in economy stakes

NEW research by Warranty Direct has highlighted the used cars aged three years or older which offer owners the best combination of reliability and economy.

Warranty Direct analysed its 50,000 live policies, using the company’s unique Reliability Index to measure overall reliability by combining rate of failure, average mileage, age and repair cost.

Ranking cars based on fuel economy in this instance, Warranty Direct used its Reliability Index to name the top ten reliable makes and models of three years or more, as well as the optimal engine and trim combination for the best return at the pumps.

Top rated was the Ford Fiesta 1.6 TDCi (95bhp) Edge Econetic II, which has a combined MPG of 85. Next comes the Smart Fortwo, followed by the Skoda Fabia, Peugeot 3008, Seat Ibiza, VW Polo, Toyota Auris, Citroen C3 Picasso and lastly, the Nissan Note.

The Smart Fortwo was able to match the Fiesta’s MPG figure but suffered marginally more mechanical faults than the Ford.

The SEAT Ibiza, VW Polo and Skoda Fabia put in a strong showing for the Volkswagen Group with closely matched scores, though the Skoda nudged ahead of its stablemates owing to an MPG return of 83.1. However, the Seat is statistically more reliable.

David Gerrans, managing director at Warranty Direct, said: “The ‘eco’ derivatives of a used vehicle are often desirable, promising economical motoring for the cost-conscious buyer.

“However, savings on fuel and road tax can soon be countered with astronomical bills for mechanical or electrical failure. It is important to take these factors into account when selecting a car based on green credentials.”

Jaguar owners invited to take centre stage at royal palace

JAGUAR Heritage has announced an all-new initiative for owners of all Jaguars, from pre-war models right up to modern day cars – the Jaguar Trophy, which will be awarded at the Concours of Elegance, held in 2015 at Edinburgh’s Palace of Holyroodhouse.

The Heritage operation has entered a new multi-year partnership with the Concours of Elegance, part of which will include a newly themed Jaguar Saturday at the event, which this year runs from Friday September 4 to Sunday September 6.

Jaguar Saturday will play host to the inaugural Jaguar Concours Trophy, with entries invited by completing a submission document at www.classicdriver.com/JaguarTrophy.

Categories for the Jaguar Concours Trophy 2015:
•    Pre-war
•    Saloons
•    Sportscars
•    Classics of the Future (2005 – 2015)
•    Judges’ Choice (a special wildcard category open to any Jaguar with an interesting story to tell)

Spaces are strictly limited to 100, and all entries will be vetted by the Jaguar Heritage team, led by Jaguar Director of Design, Ian Callum.  The entry process is now open at ClassicDriver.com and will close on August 7, with successful owners notified a week later.

Successful entries will be invited to park in the exclusive Jaguar Trophy Enclosure at the Palace of Holyroodhouse on September 5, with a team of expert judges making their way around the cars through the course of the day, before a special prize presentation to winners at the Concours of Elegance in the afternoon.

All successful entries will receive special Concours of Elegance roundels for their cars, to be displayed on entry to the Jaguar Trophy Enclosure and entitling the occupants to free entry to the Concours of Elegance.

To encourage the maximum number of applications, every entry form submitted (even if unsuccessful) will receive a discount code entitling the entrants to free parking and £10 off tickets to the 2015 Concours of Elegance.

All applications and enquiries must be made by email to JaguarTrophy@ConcoursofElegance.co.uk.