Fiat 500: Retro-style party

We have long been accustomed to comfort and practicality. Every year, cars become more and more alike — whether under a European or Asian brand. Even small hatchbacks and huge SUVs have not escaped the fate of globalization. Perhaps that is why we are increasingly drawn to the past — when trees were taller, the sky was clearer, and cars were much more interesting.

The Italians did not stop at mere nostalgia and gave the world a revived icon of the 60s — the Fiat 500. There is not a drop of utilitarianism in it. It is impractical, cheerful, standing out from the crowd, and incredibly charming.

The success of the retro car exceeded the wildest expectations of the Italians themselves — the emotional little cars flew off the shelves like hotcakes, and even the initial production plans had to be revised upward. Cinquecento, Cinquecento — try saying this juicy Italian word, which translates as "five hundred", without smiling! It also resonated in Russia, where Fiat was no longer perceived as "Zhiguli". And the new model was eagerly awaited.

Forward to the past, or Back to the future

 

In press releases of modern cars, including city runabouts, the scary word "aggressiveness" is everywhere. It seems that soon the headlights of all new models will reach the rear pillars, and logos will take up half the hood. Just look at the new Chevrolet Spark!

Grazie, Italia, for the Fiat 500 not being like that!

I never thought it would be so hard to write about the Cinquecento's appearance. Every phrase is a ready-made advertising slogan, every detail is a compliment to the designers. But what can you do if it just comes out that way?

You can scold me, but I will praise it.

On the outside, the "Fiat" somewhat resembles the Volkswagen "Beetle" (which, by the way, was also resurrected for nostalgic reasons) and the Nissan Micra. But the 500 has one undeniable advantage — charm. The style is made up of little things: a chrome trim on the trunk lid, edging on the rear lights, adorable handles that, with this body color, remind you of old refrigerator handles. Besides the round headlights, the parking lights are separately placed on the "face". Usually they are combined into a single lighting unit, but this is a Cinquecento. No utilitarianism, remember?

Fortunately, our test Fiat was not red — that color had already become tiresome with its brightness and banality. Instead, it was an appetizing creamy shade. The pearl color suits the car incredibly well. It looks like a mother-of-pearl toy. You're even afraid to leave it in the yard at night — what if someone steals it!

Style in details

The interior is beyond all praise. Here, the Italian passion for beauty reaches its peak. On one hand, everything is simple and ascetic; on the other, there are many details that create a surprisingly cohesive picture, quality trim materials for this class, perforated leather, and that very delicious smell of a happy past!

The circle reigns in the cabin design — round "windows" and clusters of climate control buttons, three round shiny buttons in the very center of the console, a round recess on the power window buttons, round air vents, round headrests, a round emblem in the center of the steering wheel. The gearshift lever is "recessed" into a leather circle surrounded by a chrome strip. But the most ingenious thing is the interior door handles! Despite the retro design, a quite modern central locking mechanism is cleverly hidden in them.

The shiny surfaces do not cheapen the car, and the plastic insert on the dashboard with the 500 logo in the body color causes a burst of delight. On the leather of the gearshift lever, a plate with the gear layout is sewn on — seemingly so simple, yet so refined.

Fiat not only delights with its "features", it invites the owner to play designer. The "Cinquecento", like the MINI Cooper, another brilliant representative of revived retro, can be configured to your liking: a dozen wheel designs, many body sticker options, different interior trims. Even the key can be customized to your taste!

That very crazy stool

The negativity begins when trying to find a proper driving position. Alas, it's impossible — the driver's seat in the 500 seems designed for a miniature girl under 160 cm tall, and the steering wheel itself only adjusts for height. You sit as if on a stool, with your legs tucked, a head taller than drivers of neighboring sedans and hatchbacks. You can't spread out in width — you'll bump into the passenger.

Not to mention the rear seats! There's plenty of legroom, but at any change in terrain, passengers — unless they are five-year-old children — will hit their heads on the ceiling, quite literally.

The power window buttons are not very conveniently placed; you have to reach for them. And it's hard to immediately grasp all the information displayed on one large instrument — inside the overall circle are hidden two circles: the speedometer and tachometer scales with their needles, and a round display for the onboard computer with temperature, fuel level, odometer readings, etc. It's inconvenient, but how does it look — does anyone else have one like that!

But how does it drive?! The headlights of cars behind seem to shine right under the 500's bumper, your back hurts from the uncomfortable seating, your legs go numb, the steering wheel is so light that you barely manage to stop it from spinning when changing lanes, and the little one responds to the gas sluggishly and reluctantly. Under the hood is a 1.4-liter engine with 100 hp, and driving is boring even in a dead traffic jam.

But potholes and other road irregularities make the Fiat bounce and throw it from side to side. When driving over tram tracks, it feels like the little car is about to flip over. Driving over 120 km/h is simply scary.

But this Italian "stool" can be made a little crazy!

This is just a celebration!

The secret of the excitement is a shiny round button labeled Sport. Pressing it seems to inject the "Cinquecento" with a few cubes of adrenaline. The car tightens up, becoming firm from the wheels to the steering wheel. At first, the steering wheel feels a bit empty, but as speed increases, which the "spurred" Fiat gains quite actively, it fills with reactive force, the gearshift lever clicks not often (due to the stretched gears), but cheerfully and sonorously, delighting with its precision and ergonomics. The car briskly jumps from lane to lane between rows of Moscow's highway, at the last moment squeezing between a heavy truck and a leisurely SUV, charmingly purring something in Italian with its little engine.

Despite the aching back, you'll be drawn to the wheel of the "Cinquecento" again and again. Calling it nimble would be a sin against the truth; here the Italians didn't quite reach the MINI. But with its excitement and recklessness, it lifts your spirits. Everyone who gets into a Fiat 500 starts smiling.