FastMotoring Motor News In Speed
[singlepic id=3841 w=630 h= float=]
DO YOU KNOW, what is the lowest price entry point into roofless car? Of course, the Fiat 500C, and it is so cool. Fiat has produced its half millionth Fiat 500 within 21 months and making the award winning Fiat 500 as one of the Italian car maker’s most successful cars of all time. Since the Fiat 500’s is one of the kind and most charming retro cars out there right now, FastMotoring’s crew made an effort to Melbourne for a test drive on the Cabriolet.
Usually, retro-look cars attract the lady owner like the Beetle and Mini. I won’t see the 500 as exceptional case. The Fiat 500 is a car with more than 50 years of history behind it, offering the best in terms of technology, comfort and environmental friendly. Fiat offers the car in hatchback (500) or convertible (500C) in Australia.
This Fiat 500C is powered by natural-aspirated 1.4-litre 4-Cylinders 16V Gasoline Engine with max output of 74kW @ 6,000rpm and a peak torque of 131Nm @ 4,250rpm. It’s not a lot power but because the 500C is light enough, hence there’s plenty of performance without sacrificing fuel economy. Expect 6.3-litres/ 100km economy from the naturally aspirated twin-cam engine coupled with low CO2 emissions. The car accelerates 0-100km/h in 10.7secs and a top speed of 182km/h.
The transmission is a 6-speed manual or 5-speed robotised manual (auto). There’s a ‘sport’ button to sharpen its responses. However, the 500C feels sluggish due in part to a dulled throttle action. The six-speeder is nice to use as it offers a slick gear shift and small increments between each ratio to keep the engine on the boil. In the other hand for the robotised manual, honestly it is awful. The shifting is not as smooth and synchronise. (FYI, we seriously took a break after the drive as we felt unwell)
The Fiat 500C fitted with sporty 16-inch alloy wheels and Bridgestone Potenza RE050A tyres. This car has a fairly generic strut/torsion beam suspension that ties down the topless tiddler quite well. It has a sporty feel and you can throw corners with confidence. Thanks to the sporty setup and short wheelbase.
Moreover, the Fiat 500C well equipped with Bluetooth connectivity, audio control on steering wheel, climate control and tele-matic voice control. The rear seats offers 50/50 split folding. The roof of this cute little Italian job can be deployed at speeds up to 60km/h. So, you need to slow down to 60km/h or below to open or close it.
In terms of safety, it is well covered with ABS, EBD, 7 Airbags, Stability Control and Traction Control contributing to the Fiat 500C with a 5 Star Euro NCAP Safety Rating. The braking system comes with all wheels discs brake (Ventilated on the front and Solid for the rear).
The Fiat 500C priced from an affordable AUD 28,990 (manual) + On-Road Cost.
Photo Gallery: Fiat 500C
[nggallery id=139]