Fiat has just issued these first official pictures of the new 500C convertible ahead of its Geneva show debut. You’ll quickly spot that this isn’t a full cabrio version – instead Fiat has revived the rollback soft top for its new fresh-air Cinquecento.
The Fiat 500C lands in showrooms in spring 2009, with UK deliveries pencilled for June. This cabriolet pays homage to the open-top 1957 model, with its simple rollback roof sliding back between the existing cant rails, and was created in-house at Fiat’s design centre in Poland.
Closest rival to the Fiat 500C? Easy. It’s aimed square at the Mini Convertible, but with a price tag more mini than Mayfair – kicking off at some £9000.
A car to ventilate the masses
The Fiat 500C cabriolet has an identical profile and front section to the already successful hatch on which it is based. Unlike the supermini, a canvas roof runs along the length of the car, folding back to where the rear window would be, in a Citroen C3 Pluriel-esque manoeuvre.
We worry the mound of material will impede rear vision terribly, but at least the largely untouched structure will keep some of the hatchback’s rigidity and safety.
Two new colours will arrive with the Fiat 500C – Pearl Red and Warm Grey – and the soft top will come in Ivory, Red or Black canvas.
The full range of 1.2 and 1.4 petrol and 1.3 diesel engines will be offered in Pop, Lounge and Sport guises as with the hatch. However, a price hike of over £1000 is expected across the range. Current gearboxes will still be used, as well as Fiat’s new Stop/Start technology.
Although an Abarth 500C is yet to be announced, Fiat have told us to never say never…
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