Fiat 500 facelift unveiled

Fiat, the Italian autogiant, has taken the wraps off the 500 facelift, which it calls as ‘New Fiat 500’. It is being available in two body styles – hatchback and convertible. The company is offering it in three trim levels – Pop, Pop Star and Lounge.

It is presented with two engine options: a 0.9-litre TwinAir engine with 85bhp or 105bhp, and a 1.2-litre 69hp unit. The sales of New Fiat 500 are expected to start by September in UK. It is not expected to be launched in India in near future.

Talking about the changes in the new Fiat 500 over the preceding model, it can be said that the company has updated both exterior as well as interior. The new hatch is also bigger and comes with advanced technologies, improved efficiency and even more customisation ideas. The most prominent changes at the outside are the new front headlights with LED daytime running lights and the new rear light clusters. Also, the restyled dashboard and improved plastic quality inside the cabin is worth a look. As for features, the Fiat 500 comes with LED daytime running lights, seven airbags and a Uconnect infotainment system with six speakers, AUX-IN/USB ports and steering wheel remote controls as standard equipment.

Mechanically, it would be offered with two petrol engines, as said earlier. The 0.9-litre TwinAir engine delivers power in two states – 85bhp and 105bhp. The 85bhp power trim variants would return a smashing fuel efficiency of 26.

3 km/l (3.8 litres/100 km). Talking about the other 1.2-litre Eco Engine, it would develop a maximum power of 69bhp, while having the best CO2 emissions of 99g/km. It is also said that new Fiat 500 would also be launched in diesel fuel trim with company’s 1.

3-litre, four-cylinder mult-jet engine which would generate a maximum power of 95bhp. All these engines would be on offer with five- and six-speed manual gearboxes or a Dualogic robotised transmission.