Evergreen Fiat 500 defies the hands of time

There is a cliché in sport that while form is temporary, class is permanent. The famous adage fits the Fiat 500 like a glove.

Despite a few minor updates over the years, the Fiat 500 in its current guise is all of 15 years old. Yet quite remarkably, its timeless design is so good that it can hold its own against many newer, flashier and even pricier hatchbacks introduced over the last decade.

We were recently given a reminder of its addictive prowess by spending a week in the updated little icon in Dolcevita Cabriolet guise, priced at R324 900.

The retro-styled Fiat 500 has carried the can for the Italian moniker during some turbulent times on the local front.
It has since become a star performer for the Stellantis group after last year’s merger which saw Fiat Chrysler Automobile join forces with the French PSA Group.

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Last month, out of its 24 Stellantis stable mates, only the Peugeot 2008 and 208 managed to outsell the Fiat 500. No mean feat for a car launched in 2007!

Powering the Fiat 500 Dolcevita is an absolute peach of an 875cc, two-cylinder turbo petrol engine. It sends 62kW of power at 5 500rpm and 145Nm of torque at 1 900rpm to the front wheels via five-speed automated manual transmission or MTA.

Equipped with a clutch – but not clutch pedal – the car automatically engages as it shifts gears, a smoother ride is achieved by coming off the accelerator similar to a manual car.

The truly remarkable part of the drive is how well balanced it is. Its sticks to the tarmac like glue around corners with hardly any body roll, while its suspension has no problem dealing with bumpier roads at higher speeds.

While the little two-pot mill should be able to run on fumes, we averaged 7.2L/100km over the 672km we covered. We made no attempt at driving it economically and the total distance included a delightfully ambitious 360km open road trip carrying a fair amount of weight.

Inside the cabin the Fiat 500’s retro yet elegant finishes and switchgear help it defy its true age, while the addition of the uConnect system helps it keeps up with the times. The 6.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system allows Bluetooth and smartphone connectivity, taking care of the demands of the digital age.

While the Fiat 500 isn’t big enough to seat four adults in comfort, it can get two adults and two primary school children to their daily destinations without hassle. The 185-litre boot even swallowed two chunky trolly bags on the daily school run.

The Dolcevita Cabriolet’s practical soft top offers three settings. If can open one third to offer a sunroof, slide back all the way to the rear for a full open panoramic roof or fold back all the way for a proper open top experience.

Contrary to the notion that the older the car, the more outdated its safety features, the Fiat 500 has serious hardware to keep you safe. Standard safety spec includes seven airbags, side impact bars in the front doors, electronic stability control and a hill holder.

We can’t always explain why certain things never go out of fashion, like a Vespa scooter or a Smeg refrigerator. They are just timeless, full stop. Like the Fiat 500.

For more information on the Fiat 500, click here.