Here's what the Sunday Times UK published yesterday:
http://driving.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/driving/new_car_reviews/article2036127.ece
I have copied the text below my signature.
DAS
For direct replies replace nospam with schmetterling
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From The Sunday Times
July 8, 2007
Fiat 500
The new king of cute
Richard Bremner
If the original Fiat 500 were still around it would be celebrating its
50th
birthday. This twin-cylinder, puttering bubble of a car helped motorise
postwar Italy, driving its way into the heart of the nation, and much of
Europe too.
Alas, the last Fiat 500 rolled off the production line 22 years ago but,
inspired by the success of other relaunched classics like the VW Beetle
and
the Mini, Fiat has revived it. The (re)launch party was in Fiat's home
city
of Turin, accompanied by a fireworks display. Fiat has more to celebrate
than the rebirth of its most famous product; the company is now in profit
after three perilous years of loss that had its survival in doubt. A
fast-renewing range - it is also about to release the Bravo hatchback -
has
turned its fortunes around.
This new Fiat 500 makes you pleased that the Italian company didn't go the
way of Rover. A glance at it has you smiling - this is an old friend in
modern wrapping. You will be amused by the reappearance of the circular
headlamps that created the earnest little face of its predecessor, and the
Mona Lisa-like smile suggested by the chrome strip on its nose. There are
retro references inside too, including a circular instrument pod and a
body-coloured dashboard.
Though instantly identifiable as an interpretation of the original, the
substance of this new 500 couldn't be more different. The 1957 edition was
rear-engined, its air-cooled twin cylinder hard pressed to push the Fiat
far
beyond 60mph. Today's 500 is based on the Fiat Panda, its four-cylinder
water-cooled engine driving the front wheels. This time you get a choice
of
engines, including a 69bhp 1.2 litre petrol, a 100bhp 1.4 litre twin-cam
six-speed version of the same engine, and a 75bhp 1.3 litre turbodiesel.
Car or myth? The new Fiat 500
An updated version of the unlikely trans****t of the Latin lover has been
met
with an outpouring of nostalgia and pride
a.. Small but still perfectly formed - Italy unveils new Fiat 500 at
50th
birthday extravaganza
a.. Fiat - back from the brink
a.. Fiat brings back famous 500
Background
a.. Fiat Croma review
a.. Fiat Multipla review
a.. Fiat Panda review
a.. Fiat Punto review
Background
a.. Fiat Panda 100HP review
a.. Fiat Panda 4x4 review
a.. Fiat Punto review
a.. Fiat Panda review
a.. Fiat 500
Multimedia
a.. Fiat 500 picture gallery
More impressive still is that this baby car, aided by seven airbags,
scores
the full five stars in the Euro NCAP occupant protection crash test. It
has
antilock brakes as standard and can be ordered with electronic antiskid
control.
But enough of the serious stuff: this car is meant to be fun and in that
spirit Fiat will offer it with myriad paint jobs, trim and accessory
options. There are also 100 accessories to choose from including a
fragrance
diffuser, a navigation system, chromed door mirror capping, a ski rack and
an additional front bumper bar just like the one worn by deluxe versions
of
the original 500.
None of it would matter much if this Fiat didn't measure up, but the good
news is that it is a thoroughly capable and hugely enjoyable car to drive.
It is both refined and quiet: conversation is easy even at the 100mph
maximum of the basic 1.2 tested, and the lack of wind, road or engine
noise
at speed makes long journeys - for two, at least - entirely palatable.
There's
room for four but adults will feel confined, and they'd have to travel
light
because the boot is compact. However, for a city car, accommodation is
fine.
Although the 1.2 is not the briskest thing its lower power and lower price
are true to the spirit of the original, and the engine's smoothness makes
you more than happy to work the gearchange hard, just as old 500 owners
did.
They would have had to double-declutch to deal with the unsynchronised
cogs,
whereas the new box is light of movement, its lever capped with an
amusingly
oversized gobstopper of a knob.
As with many Fiats, the power steering has two settings, the lighter for
town work, and it changes the 500's direction with alacrity. That makes it
a
game partner on a twisty road. It's not quite as sharp as a Mini, or
Ford's
ageing but still excellent Ka, but it's good enough to be fun. Better
still
is a surprisingly pliant ride, and a robust feel over rough roads,
confirming the impression that this is a very well made little car.
Quality, claims Fiat, is of a higher order than Toyota achieves, and
underpinning this claim is an extended warranty - admittedly optional -
that
will cover the car for five years and a staggering 300,000 miles. That
alone
is a sensible reason to buy. But we suspect that for most people the
decision to purchase this excellent Fiat will be made with the heart, not
the head.
Vital statistics
Model Fiat 500 1.2 8V Pop
Engine type 1242cc, four cylinders
Power/Torque 69bhp @[EMAIL PROTECTED]
5500rpm / 75 lb ft @[EMAIL PROTECTED]
3000rpm
Transmission Five-speed manual
Fuel/CO2 55.4mpg (combined cycle) / 119g/km
Performance 0-62mph 12.9sec / Top speed: 100mph
Price £9,300 est
Verdict Cute, well made, practical, charming and hard to resist
Rating
Date of release January 2008
The opposition
Model Mini One £11,525
For Cute and cultish, finish, verve and economy
Against Pricey, poor space efficiency
Model Ford S****tka 1.6i SE £9,995
For Stylish, brilliant to drive, surprisingly practical
Against Old, low quality interior, soon to be replaced
"Tommy" <Tommy@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message
news:f_xji.19917$%Z3.5498@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> ato_zee@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
wrote:
>> On 5-Jul-2007, Ted <Use-Author-Supplied-Address-Header@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> The advantages of making cars in Poland rather than Italy are
>>> striking in terms of labor costs.
>>
> BUT If the new Ford KA is basically the same car and at least in the UK
> the
> base model will be around £3k ($6k) cheaper than equivalent 500 whats
the
> USP of the 500?
>
>
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