Fiat 500C
by Tim Barnes-Clay, the man behind the wheel.
Date: 26 October 2010
THE FIAT 500C with its retro roll-back fabric roof and 1.3 start-stop technology diesel engine is a funny little thing.
It’s not my cup of tea because I’m a bald six footer with a goatee – so I do look a bit daft driving it.
However, my wife nearly cried when the test car went back. She loved it.
Even though I felt ridiculous driving the Fiat 500C 1.3 Multijet (95bhp) Pop 2d, it was actually a real laugh to rip around in.
On The Move!
On the move you immediately notice a bit of whistling from around the roof, but that can be forgiven, because at the touch of a button the rag-top peels back for fun open sky motoring.
It's also quick to fold back, if you get caught in a sudden shower, or if you can’t stand the cold at this time of the year.
The engine is great; the 1248cc 4-cylinder turbo-diesel is very punchy, although it does sound a bit like an angry lawnmower if revved too hard.
The car also soaks up the bumps and goes where you point it with rapid self-confidence. Ok, the steering and controls all have a weightless feel, but that’s something many people in the market for this kind of car will love.
The Fiat 500C is undoubtedly a car for the image conscious. It has that hip characteristic that its rivals - the Peugeot 207CC and Renault Wind don’t have. In my view, the only other major rival - the Mini Cooper convertible - beats it on looks.
The Fiat is also a motor for the economically minded; the petite car can go an awful long way on one tank – up to 72mpg, while pumping out just 104g/km of CO2 emissions. Now, that’s seriously cheap, recession-busting motoring!
The 500C is a genuine giggle to drive and it’s relatively spacious for what it is. The rear bench take two child seats and two kids without any problem, and when my wife borrowed the Fiat to take the children to nursery, she raved on afterwards about how easy it was to park in the manic crèche car park.
The only real downside, if you have children or you plan on doing lots of driving holidays, is the tiny boot – but at around £14,865 on the road, you really can’t go far wrong for this kind of pleasurable motoring.
PROS ‘N’ CONS
PROS
- Image
- Economical
- Fun
CONS
- Tiny boot
FAST FACTS
- Engine: 1248cc 4 cylinders
- Transmission: Five-speed manual
- Power: 95 bhp
- Torque: 148 lb-ft
- Max speed: 112 mph
- 0-62 mph: 10.4 seconds
- Combined mpg: 72 mpg
- CO2: 104 g/km
- Price: £14,865 on the road.
