Updated 2014 Fiat 500 announced

Fiat is giving its ever-popular 500 city car a series of revisions, including an innovative new instrument display.

In place of the old analogue cluster there’s a 7” thin film transistor (TFT) screen that has been developed in conjunction with Magnetti Marelli. As well as the usual speedometer and tachometer, its central portion can show trip computer data, warning messages, media player information and instructions from the optional satellite navigation. It won’t be standard on every version, though.

Other cross-range cosmetic changes are fairly subtle, but they comprise some additional paint shades, refreshed wheel designs and amended upholstery choices.

Fiat 500 Cult (2014) Front Side

An additional trim grade is being launched too. Sitting above the existing Lounge model in the line-up, the 500 Cult will be identifiable by its gloss black panel behind the fixed-glass sunroof, 16” alloy wheels, gloss black taillight surrounds, extra chrome trim and gloss black or chrome door mirror caps. Also part of the specification are rear parking sensors, the TFT instruments and leather-covered seats.

The most significant technical improvement is the introduction of a more powerful two-cylinder TwinAir engine. Its 0.9 litre capacity remains the same, but outputs have been raised to 103 bhp (77 kW / 105 PS) and 145 Nm (107 lb/ft) in Sport mode. An Eco mode meanwhile delivers a fuel-saving 96 bhp (72 kW / 98 PS) and 120 Nm (89 lb/ft).

With the standard six-speed manual gearbox, those figures result in a 0-62 mph (100 km/h) time of 10 seconds and a top speed of 117 mph (188 km/h). 67.2 mpg (4.2 l/100km) with CO2 emissions of 99 g/km on the combined cycle are impressive, but it’s maybe worth remembering that TwinAir motors sometimes struggle to achieve their official efficiency stats in real-world driving.

UK sales of the 2014 Fiat 500 are due to begin in April. Prices have yet to be confirmed.

Fiat 500 Cult (2014) DashboardFiat 500 Cult (2014) Rear Side

Fiat 500 Cult (2014) InstrumentsFiat 500 Cult (2014) Interior

Related posts:
2014 Fiat Panda Cross unveiled
Fiat 500 1957 Edition
Fiat 500L Living / MPW unveiled

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts:

Saab 9-3 Aero Carlsson

Image
Saab has got experience of producing special editions in honour of rally driver Erik Carlsson, having previously named versions of the 900 and 9000 after him during the late 1980s and early 1990s. Now it has decided to do it again, this time to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the Swedish driver’s first win in Britain’s RAC Rally, which was achieved at the wheel of a Saab 96. Thankfully, the company has resisted the urge to just bung some fancy alloys and a few other extra bits onto something like a mid-range diesel model. Instead, it appears to have resurrected the limited edition Turbo X from a couple of years ago, as the new edition similarly features a turbocharged 2.8 litre petrol V6, Saab’s XWD all-wheel drive system and a six-speed automatic gearbox. The result is the 9-3 Aero Carlsson saloon, which turns out to be a very rapid car. With 276 bhp (205 kW / 280 PS) and a healthy 400 Nm of torque, the 0-60 mph (96 km/h) dash takes just 6.9 seconds. But it’s in the mid-range t...
Read more

American spec Fiat 500

Image
Fiat has released the first details and images of the North American specification 500. The tiny city car will be available in Pop, Lounge and Sport trim levels, and is distinguished from the European version by its more aggressive front and rear bumpers, bigger grille and flared sills. Another unique feature is the engine. Fiat has decided to use the 1.4 MultiAir unit currently found in models such as the Fiat Punto Evo and Alfa Romeo MiTo. Perhaps it felt that using the forthcoming two-cylinder TwinAir in the American 500 would have been too much for markets there to take? There’s no word yet on what power output the MultiAir will have, although in its current applications it comes with either 103 bhp (77 kW / 105 PS), 133 bhp (99 kW / 135 PS) or 167 bhp (125 kW / 170 PS). Similarly, prices have yet to be confirmed, but hopefully both details will have been sorted out by the time the order book for the 500 hatch opens later this year. For convertible fans, the 500C is due ...
Read more

i10 N Line versus the Up! GTI

Image
Hyundai has confirmed specifications and pricing for its sporty i10 N Line. This new variant – which arrives at dealers later this month – benefits from some cosmetic tweaks, unique suspension components and a more powerful 1.0 litre T-GDi turbocharged petrol engine.
Read more