The Refreshed FIAT 500

"PelicanHazard" (pelicanhazard) 03/03/2014 at 12:22 • Filed to: FIAT, 500, city car, refresh, geneva

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This is the refreshed 500. Mostly the same, except for minor touches like the turn signals moved to "eyebrows" over the projectors, leaving their old spots solely for the DRLs.

Inside, the most notable change is a redesigned instrument binnacle that does away with the EVIC-inside-tach-inside-speedometer of the outgoing car and instead has a big full-color TFT in the middle with other gauges curving up either side and empty areas top and bottom for the idiot lights.

Shown in the pictures is the new Cult trim level, topping the range above the Lounge. Engines are also changed around a bit, but the only ones known at the moment are Euro-spec. Unknown what will transfer over to US-bound 500s.

More at AutoBlog: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

Overall, I'm happy with the changes. I want a 500 as a city runabout, but still paying off my Dart (and unwilling to trade it in), I knew the 500 would come up for a refresh before I can grab one. I was worried they'd give it the same face as the 500L, but if it's business as normal then I don't mind waiting a few more years to pick one up.

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > PelicanHazard 03/03/2014 at 12:45

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6 speed shifter? Don't know much about these cars, but I thought the current model was a 5 speed (at least the Abarth is, yes?)?

PelicanHazard > ZHP Sparky, the 5th 03/03/2014 at 12:57

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They are or were offered in Europe with a 5 and 6-speed, but to meet US crash regs they had to redo some structural bracing up front and the 6-speed transmission no longer physically fit in the engine bay, so US models are limited to a 5-spd. The pictures are from the Euro-spec version. No word yet on whether that's coming Stateside.

Garrett Davis > PelicanHazard 03/03/2014 at 12:57

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I never really cared for the new 500. Not sure what it is, but I could just never appreciate the styling. That said, I wouldn't mind messing around in an Abarth 500 for a day.

willkinton247 > PelicanHazard 03/03/2014 at 12:59

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The Cult?

Wait, Really?

PelicanHazard > willkinton247 03/03/2014 at 13:28

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Takes an aficionado to buy the range-topping city car.

Makoyouidiot > Garrett Davis 03/03/2014 at 15:02

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Even a base model is a hoot to drive.

Makoyouidiot > PelicanHazard 03/03/2014 at 15:03

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I'll keep my self chasing speedotach, thanks!

PelicanHazard > Makoyouidiot 03/03/2014 at 15:38

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Speedotach, love it.

Ferrero1911 > PelicanHazard 03/03/2014 at 16:28

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I wish mine had that gauge cluster. The tach on the current one is fine, but it is impossible to see the speedo, I just use the small digital readout, but I wish it was bigger. I won't be trading mine though.

minardi > PelicanHazard 03/03/2014 at 16:40

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That is a 500T. See the turbo gauge?

Axial > PelicanHazard 03/03/2014 at 18:26

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I think I liked the nested gauges better. TFTs are...boring. They have no presence.

PelicanHazard > minardi 03/03/2014 at 19:17

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It's a new 900cc turbocharged TwinAir engine for Europe.

KirkyV > Makoyouidiot 03/04/2014 at 00:16

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I've heard the base model is a tad dull to drive as compared to most of its competition. At least, that seems to be the broad consensus of most European auto journos.

EDIT: My information was somewhat out of date. It looks like they revised the suspension in 2010, and made the car quite a bit better to drive.

Makoyouidiot > KirkyV 03/04/2014 at 18:33

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We've only had it in the US since '12, so we didn't drive the previous dull version :P