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What is it?

This is the diesel version of the new Fiat 500, available at last in right-hand drive. And if you believe Fiat’s advertising spiel, this car is like a pencil sharpener. Why? Because it’s an everyday masterpiece – an elegant, brilliant piece of design that slips seamlessly into everyday life.

And if a city car is to be functional as well as funky, it has to be cheap to run. This is where the 1.3-litre Multijet diesel comes in. It emits just 111g/km of CO2 and retu...Read the full article

This retro fad really shouldn't work.. but it does. Porsche perfected the art with the constant evolution of the 911 afterall. This cheeky chappy looks good on the street in black and white versions and Fiat deserves praise and the sales for this retro-chic itteration. 

Interesting that we have the test of this car (the Fiat 500) and the Daihatsu Materia in the same week. It raises an interesting clash of styles and motoring philosophy. The Fiat would seem to be for those who have a wish (and attitude) to dance their way through the city (and life), while the Materia (with its armored car looks) would probably be attractive to those intent on bludgeoning their way around (but cannot afford an SUV).

Its Rome on a sunny June day - the Fiat 500 and Vespa scooters are in harmony passing a city water-font - their occupants and riders smile and wave at each other and agree to meet for an authentic espresso.

A Materia driver scowls at the world on his way to Starbucks....

The 500 is a great little car ... can't wait till mine arrives ...

However one thing that seems to have been glossed over is the actual detail of the "innovative financing" that was promised by Fiat at their July launch and in their press releases. It appears as though the free 5 year or 500,000km warranties that are available in other European markets as part of the 50to500 and 500cents a day financing aren't being offered here. Is this another example of UK customers getting a raw deal? Mini can offer a TLC package so why can't Fiat offer something that can rival that aftercare package?

The new 500's iffy ride is mentioned in every review I've seen, and despite the UK's appalling network of potholed tarmac, writers here are still heaping praise on a car that - to quote this very article - "crashes and thumps over road scars". Why so many awards? Who wants to be crashed and thumped round London roads? Surely a modern city car needs to do a lot more than come in a fashionably tiny package...

This sounds like the perfect engine for the car, frugal with enough zip to make it interesting. I love the styling and hope they succeed with this car.