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Screw you, Italians! In recognition of Britain's
love for convertibles, Fiat has announced that the UK will be the first country
in Europe to receive the new 500C - the soft-topped version of the lovely Cinq - before it goes on sale in Italy. Which means we should get the chi-chi little
sardine tin in time for summer.
The only downside is that it ain't cheap. Well, not especially cheap. Prices
for the 500C start at £11,300, representing a premium of about £3,200 over the hard-top 500. In comparison, the Mini Cooper convertible costs about £2,200 more than its tin-top equivalent... and Minis are hardly renowned
for out-and-out cheapness, are they?
The premium is a little surprising considering that Fiat opted for a
convertible system with fixed side rails - as opposed to a full cabrio as seen
in the Mini - at least partly on cost grounds.
Still, just picture buzzing down a balmy Mediterranean coast road, roof down -
well, roof back at least - a pair of ludicrously oversized sunglasses on your
head, with that in-no-way-cliched Cornetto song blasting out the stereo. That
three grand premium suddenly looks well worth it, eh?
500C: reassuringly expensive
Soft-top Cinq weighs in £3k more than the hard-top, but it’s arriving in time for summer
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What do you think?
Want to comment on this?
TheArabian_Stig commented on this article
at 01:44 am on 02 April 2009
Don't get me wrong.. but it doesnot look cool ... at all the 500 abarth (or something like that) is way much cooler this is not convertible it is a usual coupe with a bigger sunroof !!!
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