Fiat 500 C Goes On Sale

The convertible version of the iconic Fiat 500 goes on sale in its first market which turns out to be the UK.

Today, Europe

So far, so good. Here at LotPro.com, it seems like the Fiat alliance that created the “Newest Chrysler” (not to be confused with the “New Chrysler”) seems to be going as planned – with the obvious exception of the brand’s continued sales slide.

To that end, most of us here are eagerly anticipating the arrival of Fiat’s small cars on this side of the pond – something that can’t happen soon enough, given the company’s dearth of appealing small cars (a small stable that includes the unfortunate-looking Dodge Caliber).

To that end, fans of the small car and of Chrysler find themselves looking to Europe, where, today, Fiat is bringing the new Fiat 500 C to market.

Fiat 500 C

We’ve written about the new 500 C here before and whether you call it a convertible or a vehicle with the world’s largest cloth sunroof, the fact remains that the latest incarnation of the Cinquecento is nothing short of an instant classic.

“The Fiat 500 C is not merely the open version of the 500,” explains Roberto Giolito, Fiat & Abarth Style Director. “In fact, thanks to the wide range of available versions, this new model is really a whole new car in its own right, with a strong personality inherited from the original 1957 model and an undoubted sentimental value brought to it by so many fans over the years. If, on the one hand, the Fiat 500 C respects the original version, on the other it enriches it with new features which, thanks to stylistic choices, afford each one of us maximum freedom of use.”

Not a chop job

Although the C maintains the same dimensions as its hatchback brethren, the windscreen on the convertible is deeper due to the fact that the upper cross member had to be resized to increase the torsional rigidity of the (nearly) topless body.

The top, itself, is electric and contains a glass rear window as well as the third brake light, which is contained in a color-keyed spoiler and is always visible – whether the top is up or down. With the top closed, the press of a button folds the top back to the rear spoiler position (much like a sunroof), while a second press fully opens the roof (a feature that remains active up to 37 mph). The first step can also be accomplished with the vehicle remote.

Even with a soft top, storage capacity in the trunk is 6.4 cubic feet, nearly the same as the hatchbacks 6.5 cubic feet. And although the top, when folded, intrudes on the trunk opening, when the trunk release is activated, an electronic system automatically lifts the lid a few centimeters to allow the trunk to be fully opened.

Model range

In the U.K., the 500 C starts with the Pop version, which includes seven airbags, ABS and EBD. Also included is A/C, electric power steering, power windows and locks as well as a vehicle remote. All three engines are available and the 1.4-liter 100 hp 16v engine, if chosen, includes ESP stability control.

The Lounge version adds the element of chrome to the side windows, tail pipe, interior door handle inserts, gear lever and front and rear bumpers. Also included is automatic climate control, standard ESP, fog lights, parking sensors, 185/55 R15 alloy wheels and electric outside mirrors.

Xenon headlamps with integrated washers, leather interior, Interscope sound system and special 16-inch alloy wheels are stand alone options on both the Pop and Lounge versions. Also on the list is a multifunctional portable navigation system with Bluetooth functionality.

All images courtesy of Fiat

Tags: 500 c, abarth, Chrysler, Dodge, Dodge Caliber, fiat, fiat 500, fiat 500 c