Fiat 500 wins top designer award

The Fiat 500, along with contenders like the Jaguar XF, were selected as finalists at the recent New York International Motor Show, with Fiat's chic and sophisticated small car bagging the top design prize.

And Fiat says the good news is that this little design icon is available in South Africa as an entry-level model for R150,500.

While it might sound a tad ‘vulgar Dahling' to talk greenbacks when worshipping on the altar of style, it's very heartening to know that you can pick up a 21st century cult masterpiece for the same price as some soulless, pared down, anonymous econobox.

Fiat's Head of Design, Roberto Giolito, calls it ‘practical beauty' and Oscar Rivoli, Managing Director of Fiat Group Automobiles South Africa, concurs: “This design accolade is the greatest artistic endorsement of the Fiat 500 and it serves to highlight what a great value proposition the Fiat 500 Pop 1.2 is.”

The only visual differentiator between the Pop and its posher playmates (the Lounge and Sport 1.4) is that it sports wheel trims as opposed to alloys. The latter are, of course, available as cost options, as are the nearly 500,000 other customisable niceties.

A peek inside reveals the same bells and whistles as its pricier stable-mates including remote central locking, air conditioning, dual-drive power steering, height-adjustable steering, electric windows/mirrors, stereo system, trip computer and follow-me-home headlamps.

The Euro 5 compliant Fire engine delivers 51kW at 5500rpm, and peak torque of 102Nm at 3000rpm, with a top speed of 160km/h.

The Fiat 500 also leads its class for consumption, delivering 5.1L /100km in the combined cycle, with CO₂ emissions of 119g/km - one of the lowest on the market.

As with the Lounge and Sport, the Pop comes standard with 7 airbags (two at the front, two curtain-bags, two side-bags and one to protect the knees) and ABS complete with EBD (Electronic Brake Distribution). ESP (Electronic Stability Program) and ASR (Anti Slip Regulation or traction control), plus Hill Holder, to help the driver on hill starts.

The Fiat 500 has 30,000km service intervals and offers a three-year/100,000km Warranty (three years on paintwork and five years on rust anti-perforation) as well as a five-year/90,000km service plan.

All Fiat 500 models are covered by a 24-hour AA Fleetcare roadside assistance for 12 months.