Incredible Cinquecento

Honestly, I don't want to evaluate the Fiat 500 from a practical, consumer point of view at all. For me, this car is a kind of "thing in itself," like Apple laptops against the background of other "laptops." Inside, it has essentially the same filling as its competitors, and outwardly it doesn't differ much from them. But the impressions of ownership are completely different.

From a technical point of view, the Fiat 500 is an extremely simple and inexpensive car. It is based on the platform from the Fiat Panda, the most affordable and mass-produced model of the Italian brand. However, it's not always the "hardware" that decides everything! The creators of the new "Cinquecento" set themselves the task of making a car that would not be boring either outside, inside, or in motion. And they succeeded. The reason is simple: they are Italians, and they put their soul into the car.

The "500th" charms at first sight — the funny rounded body with many interesting details can be examined endlessly. The "multi-layered" silhouette with longitudinal stampings, four headlights at the front, rear lights in chrome trim, the sloping line of the fifth door, and the trapezoidal bulge in place of the radiator grille — all this is exactly like the classic "Cinquecento"!

Even standing still, in profile the Fiat 500 resembles a fox terrier rushing at full speed with ears fluttering in the wind, and the small spoiler on the edge of the rear door (in the Sport version) only enhances this resemblance.

The peak of the Italians' manic love for details is reached in the interior. The large round instrument cluster behind the steering wheel, where the speedometer, tachometer, temperature and fuel level indicators, as well as the onboard computer screen, coexist incredibly — is a solution both brilliant and "crazy." It doesn't matter that it's not very convenient; the main thing is that it's COOL! The large plastic trim on the front panel in body color is also cool! As are the massive chrome door handles, the large "Fiat" emblem in the center of the steering wheel, and the hefty power window buttons on the protrusion of the center console.

The trim materials and colors are selected so carefully that cars of a higher class could envy them! Brown perforated leather on the steering wheel, armrests, gear lever, and seats, hard but pleasant-to-touch rough plastic of the panel, a white lacquered line on it, and a light headliner — you get the feeling that you are in an apartment with modern Italian furniture. And the seats with combined fabric-leather upholstery and funny "saucer" headrests are simply a masterpiece!

For the Fiat 500, 15 interior design options are available. In addition to the brown scheme, you can choose classic dark plastic or dazzling white. In the latter case, not only the steering wheel will be white, but also the climate control unit and the radio. You can also order contrasting seat upholstery or headrests in body color.

You will have to get used to the seating position in the "500th." Especially for tall people — the seats are set high, and the steering wheel adjusts only for tilt. You sit as if on a stool, with your legs tucked up. But there are almost no complaints about ergonomics — a comfortable three-spoke steering wheel, well-readable instruments, understandable climate control, and a surprisingly convenient gear lever on the console protrusion.

In motion, the character of the "Cinquecento" also does not reveal itself immediately. At first, the chassis seems too pliable, the steering wheel too light and "empty," and the responses to the gas pedal are terribly damped. But do not rush to frown and scold the car for cheap habits. Give the "Cinquecento" a second chance! It's easy to do — press the Sport button on the front console. In this mode, the power steering works less diligently, and the responses to the accelerator become almost the right speed. Almost...

In fact, the Fiat 500 is a very interactive car. It doesn't like to solo; it wants a dialogue with the driver. The more actively you load the chassis, the more diligently it plays along. The steering wheel, a bit empty even in "Sport," becomes precise and informative in extreme modes, and the 1.4-liter engine seems to get a second wind after 4000 rpm, and there is no trace of its thoughtfulness left.

Of course, achieving refined handling from a cheap platform with MacPherson struts at the front and a torsion beam at the rear is not easy. But it is this chassis that is one of the best among inexpensive front-wheel-drive models, because it is also used on the cult Fiat Panda 100 HP. The lack of "manners" of the Fiat 500 is more than compensated by its spirited handling. Precise responses to the steering wheel, an elastic but not teeth-rattlingly stiff suspension, and, as a dessert, a magnificent tendency to oversteer.

The excessive mobility of the rear axle initially scares — on slippery surfaces, the stability system constantly pulls back the "rear," returning it to the trajectory. But if you gather your courage and turn off the electronic assistant (preferably on a closed area), then driving the "Cinquecento" can give you incomparable pleasure!

The short wheelbase and high center of gravity make sending the rear axle into a slide elementary: a slightly higher speed at the corner entry, a short throttle lift — and the rear wheels are already sliding. Then you can either stabilize the car with a short steering movement, or hold it in a slight drift a little longer, smoothly adding throttle and straightening out. The main thing is that the hatchback transitions into a slide very smoothly and predictably, so involving the rear axle in control is not scary at all. But it is terribly exciting!

True, the stability system on the "500th" does not turn off completely — if the drift becomes too deep, the electronics will intervene, brake the necessary wheels, and slightly reduce the fuel supply.

Does this "Fiat" really have no drawbacks? Of course, it does. Poor sound insulation, a cramped interior, a specific seating position, an empty steering wheel, and sensitivity to side winds. But all these disadvantages are compensated by the pleasure you get from driving.

It turns out that the "Cinquecento" is a car that is in some sense two-faced. Not everyone can see behind its cute, glamorous-chrome exterior a real rascal. It hides behind the inconspicuous Sport button on the center console, somewhere at the very end of the travel of the "long" gas pedal.

The real "Cinquecento" reveals itself only to those who are ready to accept its essence — the essence of a very small, but very fun and playful little car. For others, the Fiat 500 will remain a somewhat silly, uncomfortable, and too expensive car.

Genetic engineering The lively character of the Fiat 500 is hereditary. It is built on the same "cart" as the Fiat Panda 100HP and is equipped with the same engine and gearbox. Therefore, the "Cinquecento" simply cannot drive badly — because the same blood flows through its "fuel lines" as in one of the best hatchbacks of our time, according to the authoritative British magazine EVO. 100HP is the most balanced and exciting "little one" of recent years, if not decades. - EVO magazine, Russian edition, March 2007 (Richard Meaden).

Technical specifications of the Fiat 500

When I first saw this car, I thought it was an ordinary city subcompact, of which there are many on our roads. But already after the first meters behind the wheel, I realized: this little one can surprise. We are talking about a model that reaches only 3546 mm in length and 1627 mm in width. With such a modest size, the wheelbase is 2300 mm, which gives good stability on the highway.

Under the hood is a gasoline engine with a displacement of 1.4 liters (1368 cc), which produces 100 horsepower at 6000 rpm. The maximum torque is 131 Nm, available already at 4250 rpm. The curb weight of the car is only 1005 kg, so even such a small engine allows acceleration to 100 km/h in 10.5 seconds. The maximum speed I managed to squeeze out on a straight section was 182 km/h — for such a little one, this is a quite decent indicator.

I was especially pleased with the fuel consumption. In the combined cycle, the car is content with 6.3 liters per hundred kilometers. This makes it an excellent option for daily trips around the city and beyond.

I tested the version in the Sport trim, for which they ask 590 thousand rubles. For this money, you get not just a means of transportation, but a car with character. The handling turned out to be quite sharp — the car responds sensitively to steering wheel turns. The suspension is tuned tightly, which is felt on uneven surfaces: small joints and potholes are transmitted to the body, but in corners, body rolls are minimal.

In the cabin, as outside, everything is compact but well thought out. The seats have good lateral support, and the instruments are easy to read. Of course, it will be a bit cramped in the back, but for two people or a child, there is enough space. The trunk does not impress with its volume, but for everyday tasks, it is sufficient.

Overall, this car left a pleasant impression. It doesn't claim to be a family wagon or a sports coupe, but its main task — to be a reliable and economical city helper — it performs excellently. If you need a compact hatchback that you won't be ashamed to park and is enjoyable to drive, this option is worth considering.