17 February 2009 - 10:00
Let’s play sardines
Time to party like its 1957. The Fiat 500C is heading to Geneva next month, and it’s more exciting than, er, the resignation of Anthony Eden as Prime Minister.
Designed with just a little help from our Foreman, Paul Horrell, the cabriolet 500 remains true to the original convertible Cinq, as it features a ‘sardine tin’ roof - fixed side rails with a sliding soft-top.
This is good news for boot space – which remains at 185 litres – and rigidty, which should mean that the convertible handles with much of the pizzazz of the hard-top.
Unlike the original, though, the 500C’s roof is electrically operated, and slides back into a neat ruffle of fabric atop the glass rear window.
Yes, the whole package is about as masculine as a Sex and the City box set, but you can’t deny it’s a deeply cute cabrio. If anyone mentions the words ‘Citroen’ and ‘Pluriel’ now, we can’t be held responsible for our actions.
The 500C will launch with the option of the same three engines as the hard-top: a 1.3-litre turbodiesel and two 1.2-litre petrol engines in 69bhp and 100bhp flavours. Fiat’s recently announced Start&Stop system will be standard issue.
Expect to pay a £1500 premium over the hard-top 500 when the cabrio goes on sale in the UK this spring. In 1957 currency, that’s 19 groats, three bushels and, er…
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Ok, it's a bit girly, but so was the old MX-5, it didn't stop people raving about it did it. Style's what this car's all about, so let it be.
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This is a car for people without trouser vegetables, that is certain, but if you are one of said ladies, the question you have to now ask is "why would you buy a hard top 500?". This has all of the benefits of a hard top 500, yet on the 3.7 days a year when we do get nice weather, you can have a open top motoring. My concern is this though. If this car has stop start tech as standard, it is saving the planet, and to make full use of the soft top, surely you would want the planet to heat up and get more sunny days so this fancy engine is preventing you from enjoying open top motoring more often.
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I hope they design some 'roof' to cover that soft-top roof. Because if it stays like that, it: a) looks random b) will fly away c) you can see through it
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c) you can'T see...
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Also note how the picture is of the roof DOWN. I'd imagine it'd look hideous with the roof up. Which it will be, given that it rains 360 days a year in the UK.
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Well, they don't make that car for UK only... :D
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I think it's cute, but best driven by a skinny blonde Italian bird... who doesn't need to see out the back.
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i want this car ^ ^
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I can report its very popular with a bunch of teenagers. this car is way cute, but tbh, i wouldnt buy one. when i eventually make my millions with a career as Jeremy clarksons protege, i will buy this car as a collectors item! because really, thats all this is. its a great wee car tho, you cant deny it that. i will definately be getting the 500 abarth when im older!
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Now my sister would love this car because it is soo girly and really its about time they came out with a good girly convertable because the 500 coupé is good, right. Well taking the roof off just makes it perfect for girls, i could not imagine Simon Cowell looking good in this.
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im speechless i have never seen such an ugly car
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in britian because it rains 379 days a year your not going to have the down so your going to have it up. it doesn't even match the colour of the car so it look like you got a replacment from a scrapheap plus it looks like a citreon pluriel
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Weeds. Only English weeds don't like convertibles. People might see you picking your nose in them. I own a '69 Mustang convertible and a Mini Cooper convertible. I'm a ragtop kinda guy, like Nick Nolte in 48 hours. And I'm getting a Cinquecento convertible when they come out. So there.
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Thats very Clever, i like it. Has any one seen the Barbie Version? it makes me sick.
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Well ive ordered mine, pick it up in june, had a mini cabrio, an audi tt roadster, a z3, z4 and now for something ive never had in my life a fiat 500c, i took a 1.3 multijet out fel in love with it, and ordered 1, cant wait....
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AshHorne commented on this article
17 February 2009
Citroen. Pluriel. There, I said it. The 500 was 'cutesy' enough for our liking. This just makes me sick. And that roof? How long before you see it flying across a motorway thanks to good ol' italian build quality?
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