The original, rear-engined Fiat Cinquecento was launched in 1957 and it sported a fold-back fabric roof, manually operated of course. With the advent of the new Fiat 500 things have been done in reverse order; first came the hatchback (the engine’s now in the front), then the sporty Abarth and now the convertible ‘C’. Of course you want one, but here’s a test anyway!
Fiat 500C consumer car reviews
Fiat 500C lease prices
Fiat 500C new and nearly new
This 500 is available with a 1.2 8v and 1.4 16v petrol engines, or a 1.3 16v turbodiesel. I drove the 100bhp 1.4 and the 75bhp 1.3. Although the 1.4’s figures beat the 1.3’s fair and square – 0-62 in 10.5 and 12.5secs, 113 and 103mph top speed – the 1.3 doesn’t feel like it’s lacking in any way. On the road the 5-speed 1.3 feels nippy enough, whereas to extract similar performance from the 6-speed 1.4 requires that bit more effort and commitment, even though ultimately it’s faster. Both have strong brakes, although the petrol 1.4 does sound a little sportier than the diesel.
Read the full Fiat 500C road tests
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