New car news

31 March 2009 - 12:00

500C: reassuringly expensive

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?