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By MURRAY
HUBBARD
1 February 2010
Ahead of schedule, the gorgeous little Fiat 500C convertible has
reached Australia. Probably because it's not really the car the
Europeans want at the moment, not when the temperature is hovering
around zero degrees up there.
But in this wonderful land downunder the heat is well and truly
here, the skies are a brilliant blue and those who love open-top
motoring are cruising around feeling proud of their home country.
Fiat's PR team has excelled in its hyperbole and thrown political
correctness out of the window in its press release announcing the
arrival of the little Fiat 500C. Just look at these over-the-top
statements from Fiat Australia’s chief, Andrei Zaitzev:
“Europe’s hottest model, seen topless at all the top beach
resorts in Europe last northern summer, has been spotted at
Australian beaches ... the Fiat 500C has to be the car to be seen
in this summer ... owners could be first at the beach to take the
top off their Fiat 500!”
We do so love the attitude of the Italians...
For Australia, the new 2010 Fiat 500C has a 1.4-litre 74 kW engine
with a choice of a manual or an automated DuaLogic gearbox. Prices
begin at a modest $28,990 for the manual and $30,990 for the
DuaLogic version. Statutory and on-road costs need to be added to
these figures. The Fiat 500C has a five-star Euro NCAP safety
rating and is well equipped.
This isn't a convertible in the normally accepted sense of the
word, rather the 500C has a huge soft sunroof that folds all way
back. This not only creates plenty of open air, but also pays
homage to the original 1957 open top Fiat 500. This new 500 is a
stunning looking little machine.
The clever roof has a glass rear window, it folds away at the
press of a button. The boot space is comparable to the Fiat 500
hardtop and it is easily accessible through a cleverly hinged boot
lid. If the top is down, pressing the boot opening button signals
to the roof to partially close so it does not impinge on the use
of the boot.
Trendy looks, the ability to be customised, and the fact that it
works brilliantly in inner city areas because of its diminutive
size should make this a sure seller. If you're halfway interested
may we suggest a quick trip to your local Fiat dealer, because
only small numbers are available in the first shipments – and
the queue will grow if you're slow.
© Copyright
Marque Publishing Company
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