The New Fiat 500: The First Official Pictures

Fiat has released the first official pictures of the most eagerly anticipated car of 2007, the new Fiat 500, which will make its debut exactly 50 years after the original car was launched in July, before arriving in Australia at the Sydney Motor Show in October prior its New Zealand and Australian launches in early 2008.

On July 4, 1957, in Turin, Fiat presented the Nuova Fiat 500, which became one of the greatest icons of the car industry, and with which Fiat concluded a revival that had begun straight after the Second World War. On July 4, 2007, exactly 50 years later, again in Turin, Fiat will present the new Fiat 500 which will go on sale in Europe immediately after the launch. The new car will conclude an equally important cycle of revival and renewal for Fiat Automobiles SpA.

Developed by the Fiat Style Centre and manufactured in the Polish Tychy factory, the new 500 is a 3-door model with very compact measurements: it is 355 cm long, 165 cm wide, 149 cm tall and has a wheelbase of 230 cm. The car is extremely entertaining to drive, due to its three engines: a 75 bhp 1.3 16v Multijet turbo diesel unit and two petrol engines, the 69 bhp 1.2 8v and the 100 bhp 1.4 16v, all of which are available with five or six speed mechanical gearboxes.

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The model confirms Fiat’s undisputed leadership in this category - a result of its extraordinary heritage of technical, design and human experience accumulated over a century of producing remarkable cars - and it takes a substancial leap forward in terms of comfort and safety, technology and equipment for this segment.

The new 500 is the most up-to-date solution for the motorist who wishes to enjoy a car in complete freedom, appreciates it for day-to-day use, but also wishes to drive a car that is entertaining and practical, environmentally-friendly and accessible, as well as which is appealing and full of fun.

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