2016 Fiat F500 – A Small and Sassy Legend

• Mark Musutu We had something much larger and more pronounced in mind for this column this week, but we stopped in our tracks when we came across a small and sassy car parked under a spotlight – the Fiat F500.

It was simply too good to pass by, hence we had to share this experience and shelf the big bold car story for now.

The more experiences we have with different cars, the easier it becomes to understand car characters and the easier it has become to connect with minds of creators. Looking at the Fiat F500, I could already picture the driver and character it was made to appeal to. True to my assumption, the owner is a small and sassy, highly fashion conscious, fun loving youthful lady, as if to say a buyer must possess these characteristics to qualify for one.

There are few cars that fit this small car segment as well as the Fiat does. If you lived in the 80s, you will remember a crop of Fiats that we got to embrace and love, such as the 127, 124, UNO and Mirafiori (the Mafia getaway car).

I have a vivid memory of being seated in the back seat of an old 127 which was revved to max but failed to climb an uphill road and kept rolling back. Fiats are part of our culture, a cardinal part of automotive history. Many readers of this column will recall the Fiats of the 70s and 80s and will identify with this affinity.

Still looking back, the only small cars of that period I can recall are the Fiat and the Mini. Others are new market entrants such as Audi, Ford, Toyota, Nissan, Smart, Hyundai and VW. These first introduced their small cars at the turn of the new millennium. This was about the time efficiency became the highest selling point.

In the last decade, times were turbulent for carmakers and many had to close shop, merge or sell their brands. Carmakers did their homework as they declared war on thirsty engines and inefficiency and also cut down on size. This saw the introduction of small cars by many players. In that period, anything other than a small car was considered to be too large, expensive or a gas guzzler.

To Fiat, the introduction of their current crop was one that came with a vengeance – to recapture the market they once had. As of today and 1,5 million sales later of the F500 alone, it’s clear that Fiat is doing very well. The F500 has been a top seller from the time it was launched.

Launched in 2007, the current generation F500 has won many hearts thanks to its fashion-led approach, flair and a stand out cabin. The original Fiat F500 of 1957 as well captured the minds and the hearts of the public. It has been a two-time win for Fiat.

The new F500 is bigger than the original with a modern touch and profile, just like the Mini and the Beetle. Only Mini and the Beetle reinvented their icons for today’s market.

The F500 has been a favourite, thanks to its fashion led approach and retro styling connecting it to its strong Italian personality. Personalisation is also a strong selling point, such as selection of body wrappings known as ‘second skin’, which can be added throughout the car. This gives a feeling of being distinguished.

This second skin includes decor like roses, butterflies and camaflouge. I connect this decor of roses and butterflies to tattoos found on some would-be buyers.

Simplicity is what the interior is about. It has a familiar mushroom-land interior that we have come across in similar sized Nissans and Toyotas, though having more simplicity just like cars used to have. The most differentiating thing is the glove-box lid and fascia which have the same colour coding as the exterior, emphasising a retro style theme in a way that speaks of fun, femininity and the outdoors. (Lipstick too.)

Sitting in the elevated front seats, you will discover that headroom and legroom are sufficient (to our surprise), though the rear is not the best place for adults but a perfect place for the adorable munchkins.

Deliberately not emphasized is a modern touch; a charming five-inch ‘Uconnect’ infotainment display, a DAB radio, aux-in and USB slots, Bluetooth, TomTom integrated sat-nav with 3D mapping and traffic data. But it lacks a CD player.

In the engine bay is a vigorous two-cylinder turbo 875cc TwinAir unit packing 104bhp. This allows it to run from 0 to 100 km/h in 12 seconds. The peppy engine sound is reminiscent of the old Fiats, emphasizing a fun drive.

For a car this size, anything other than responsive handling would be a disaster. The steering is very light and very responsive too; I am short of saying Fiat didn’t forget the Mafias getting away in Sicily when they gave it such good handling.

Safety features include driver, passenger, side, curtain and driver’s knee airbags as standard, ABS brakes and Isofix child seat mountings too. The hazard lights come on under hard braking to warn traffic behind but the trigger point is over-sensitive.

We think the F500 is a piece of art. It’s as feminine as high heels and it has a very strong character. It captures very well the Italian style and charisma that inspired it. It has inspired new market entrants such as the Opel Adam, VW Up and Audi A1. It’s made for fun, soul and swag and you will love it in the urban jungle. It lives up to its rich legacy and it’s well worth your consideration.

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