By Khulekani Dumisa and Otsile Kadiege

Fiat has launched the updated Fiat 500. The economical and chic Italian car comes in 5 flavours with pricing starting from a competitive R219,900. The 0,9 turbo-charged engine making 62.5kW and 145Nm continues. Its power figures may not blow you away but the claimed fuel consumption of 4l/100km will leave your bank balance smiling. The refreshed Fiat 500 is available in manual and automatic.

Model line-up

Fiat 500 Cult

The new entry into Fiat 500 range is known as the Cult. Key features are a striking new Arancio Sicilia orange colour, 14-inch steel wheels with hubcaps and black exterior mirrors and LED day-time running lights.

The interior is highlighted by blue fabric seats with Fiat Monogram and a body coloured dashboard. A new option for the Cult is a Techno Blue Matt dashboard. UconnectTM five-inch radio with DAB, USB ports and manual air-conditioning are all standard, as is a speed limiter.

Fiat 500 Connect

Adding onto the Cult standard specification, Connect models are identified by 15-inch alloy wheels and specific side skirts, rear spoiler and fog lights. Additionally, there is a new Silver bi-colour treatment with gloss black roof.

Inside, there are new “flashy” seats which are height adjustable and a multi-function steering wheel with eight buttons. The dashboard can be ordered in Matt Silver. Other interior upgrades include cruise control, Uconnect seven-inch infotainment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and two additional rear speakers.

Fiat 500 Dolcevita

The Dolcevita models come with bespoke badging and chrome accents on the two-tone paintwork. With bespoke 16-inch alloy wheels, the Dolcevita also gets the Techno-leather multi-function steering wheel, glass roof, Matelassé fabric seats with techno leather details, and a 50/50 split rear seat.

Fiat 500 Sport

The Fiat 500 Sport includes 16-inch alloy wheels, Sport badging, and specific side skirts, bumpers and rear spoiler. A new Cloud Grey colour can be contrasted with the new “arrow electro” seats and a Titanium dashboard with red 500 logo. A TFT seven-inch digital cluster accompanies automatic air conditioning.

Safety

The Fiat 500 is equipped with seven airbags, ABS, Electronic Stability Control, hill-holder and speed limiter, to name but a few.

Pricing

The Fiat 500 range is priced as follows:

Cult 0.9L, FWD 5MT: R219,900;

Connect 0.9L, FWD 5MT: R260,900;

Sport 0.9L, FWD 5MT: R269,900;

Dolcevita 0.9L, FWD 5AT: R274,900;

Sport Cabriolet 0.9L, FWD 5MT: R 319,900; and

Dolcevita Cabriolet 0.9L, FWD 5AT: R324,900.