2008 Fiat 500 1.3 JTD Lounge
April 3, 2008 by Alborz Fallah
When we saw the Fiat 500s going around Albert park prior to this year’s Australian Formula 1 grand prix, there was a sense of excitement from everyone, not only was Fiat back for good, but now it had a fighting chance.
The current Fiat 500 range starts at $22,990 for the 1.2-litre 5-speed manual pop hatchback and goes all the way to $29,990 for the 1.4-litre lounge hatchback. But now there is a new variant, the Fiat 500 1.3 JTD Lounge.
There are now six models to pick from:
- Pop Hatchback 3dr Man 5sp/SMac 5sp 1.2i
- Pop Hatchback 3dr Man 6sp/SMac 5sp 1.4i
- Pop JTD Hatchback 3dr Man 5sp 1.3DT
- Sport Hatchback 3dr Man 6sp/SMac 5sp 1.4i
- Lounge Hatchback 3dr Man 6sp/SMac 5sp 1.4i
- Lounge Hatchback 3dr Man 5sp 1.3 JTD 1.3DT
The 1.3-litre JTD Lounge comes in response to the changing attitude of the Australian market. Many more new-car-buyers are now aware of the benefits of diesel motors and given the rising price of petrol, it makes perfect sense.
The small oil burner only uses 4.2-litres of diesel per 100 km and comes equipped with the best that Fiat has to offer in the 500 range.
“Australian customers increasingly want the economy and environmental ability of diesel matched to a chic, luxurious car and cars don’t come much more stylish and chic than the 500 or, with the top of the line Lounge equipment package, luxurious.” says Edward Butler, General Manager for Fiat cars in Australia.
The 1.3-litre turbodiesel JTD lounge has a top speed of 165 km/h and goes from 0-100 km/h in 12.5 seconds. It puts out only 111 g/km of CO2 emissions (only 5g/km more than the Toyota Prius!). The engine develops 55 kW at 4000 rpm and a respectable 145 Nm of torque at 1500 rpm.
The 1.3-litre unit only weighs 130 kg and measures 50 cm long by 65 cm tall. According to Fiat, it will be able to travel around 250,000 km without needing any maintenance to the mechanical components.
The 500 has has taken the Volkswagen Beetle’s place as the cool stylish city car with character. But its popularity has caused some problems with the waiting list now extending out for the next four months.
“We are working with Fiat to get an extra allocation of cars for Australia for 2008, but even with the boost in Australian supplies for which we have asked, there’s little doubt that demand will continue to run well ahead of supply.” explains Mr Butler.
The entry into the 500 world comes in the Pop package which despite its name, is packed with a load of features such as air conditioning, trip computer, electric front windows, remote central locking, ABS brakes and six airbags. It receives a five-star safety rating from EuroNCAP.
Moving up to the Lounge grade, a climate control unit and a fixed glass roof with a sun blind join the party as does the chrome exterior trim pack, alloy wheels, front fog lights, Bluetooth communications package with steering wheel mounted controls, leather steering wheel and gearknob.
Safety is further strengthened by electronic stability control (ESC) with traction control and brake-assist (hill holder).
The new Fiat 500 JTD Lounge retails for $28,990 and is available to order now. If you’re after the new ‘cool’ city car, better get into your nearest Fiat dealer because the waiting list is only getting bigger.
Print it: 
******PRIMO!*****
Best little retro car on the planet, will buy a 2nd hand one as soon as they are avail.
Great Car
Winning every award. its a gold-olympic-champion!
Cheers
F-0
Finally a car as cool and as good, if not better than the Mini at a reasonable price.
I agree Frugal-One. A reasonable price but realistically I will also wait until a second hand one is available.
Well, I have been meaning to go into a Fiat dealership and put my order in for one. However I am still waiting for a review on this website, my husband thinks there is a lot of hype, is there?
Interesting car, would be great if they dropped a 1.5-litre turbo in there and marketed it a little more towards men.
I want to buy one, but I am scared of the potential ‘chick’s car’ comments!
Hmm.. great looking car, would make a great first car for the kids, but how did it get 5-stars when it has no ESP on the base model? Can the pop be optioned out with ESP?
I’ve been told that there’s already a 9 month wait on these.
It actually looks overpriced to me, I think it’s stablemate Punto with the 1.9TDi is much better value, although not quite as chique.
Not bad
yay bye september 2009 ill have my licence and might be able to pick one up for 17k
Don’t know about the waiting period, my local dealer has a few sitting in his yard.
Also a recall has been issued for some of them regarding a head gasket problem, not sure which version though.
Sorry, I don’t get it. $29,990 for such a little car there are much bigger and to me better cars at this price.
I sat in one of these when i was in Florence last July, man is the interior classy!! Wish i had driven it!
Fiats in Australia are notoriously overpriced, so yes, wait for a second hand bargain, as they are bound to come up, as some folks trade them in for something a little bigger.
You’re right though, it’s not a lot of car for $29,990. Its bulit in Tycha, Poland (not that there is anything wrong with that) along side the Ford Ka and Fiat Panda.
In Italy, the 500starts at 10,500 euro which is near enough to AUD$17,920 plus import costs of course.
It’s not overly quick either, with the top performing 1.4 16v model slugging it out from o-100 in 10.5 seconds and no, it doesn’t come with pedals!
Love it BUT will never be able to own one cos at 6 foot 4 inches i think i screwed!!lol
My god that is damned expensive. I am sure they will score a lot of sales from the yuppie fraternity but will lose heaps from the normal side of town who desire a nice looking small car. It is almost like they are trying to make big car profits from a tiny engined small car.
As tested on Top Gear, James May preferred thrashing the 1.2 to within and inch of its life.
Small city diesels don’t actually pay due to the higher purchase costs and the low mileages they usually cover. So it will take much longer to recover the distance on the basis of lower fueling costs.
Me personally if I had a choice I’d do the diesel.
great little car i tested one in the 1.3 diesel
and the engine was great to drive and the turbo seemed to come in around 2000 mark great little power plant fiat says it will last 250,000km the only noise you find is from the road tyre roar at mid range speeds and the 5 speed gearbox is fantastic its light and positive gear change so when mine comes i will put some sound deadning under the carpet ect to make the car 100%
as i live in the uk you can buy the 1.3 lounge for 10,900
its been 3 weeks waiting for mine to come and the one i orderd is in white so if its diesel you want you cant go wrong with this lets face it if suzuki needs the power plant for there cars well what more can i say
car 1-10
engine…..super quiet (9)
gearbox….smooth (9)
cluch……light (9)
comfort (seats) (10)
road noise (6)
handling (8)
braking (8.5)
a/c (10)
great little car its worth the wait