2008 Fiat 500 specifications released
January 23, 2008 by George Skentzos
Nearly three months before its arrival in Australia, Fiat has released full pricing and specifications for the Fiat 500 ahead of unprecedented demand.
Fiat’s decision to release these details before the car even rolls down the production line is to enable owners to take full advantage of the personalisation programme before their cars arrive.
The 500 is sold-out across Europe, and already Australian allocations have been snapped up for the first four months.
“That trickle of customers has now turned into a flood, which means we have already sold the first four months of the Australian allocation, even though we have not been able to confirm local prices,” Fiat Australia general manager David Stone said
The full range of engine and trim packages will be available to Australian buyers which includes three engine variants.
The 55kW 1.3-litre turbo diesel variant is sure to be in high demand, its combined fuel economy of 4.2 litres per 100km make the 500 Australia’s most economical car, beating even the hybrids.
Along with another two petrol variants, three different gearboxes will also be on offer – five or six speed manuals and a Dualogic sequential robotised 5-speed gearbox.
“There can be little doubt, given the demand we are already facing, that the new Fiat 500 will be the most sought-after car in 2008,” Stone said.
Matched to this are three equipment packages: ‘Pop’, ‘Sport’ and ‘Lounge’ define taste rather than class. This is coupled with a raft of factory and after market accessories.
The entry level trim level is ‘Pop’, which includes Air-Conditioning, trip computer, front electric windows, remote central locking, front and rear head rests, height adjustable steering wheel, split-fold rear seat, ABS brakes and six-speaker MP3 audio system with steering wheel controls.
The Sport model adds 15-inch alloy wheels, ‘Blue&Me’ Telematics with USB connection, rear spoiler, leather steering wheel and gearknob, side skirts and red brake calipers. Over the Pop version, the Lounge gains 15-inch alloys, satin finish aluminium exterior mirrors, chrome trim pack, climate control AirCon and a fixed glass sunroof.
The comprehensive options list includes leather trim, 16-inch alloy wheels, decal options, sunroof on Sport and Pop versions, luxury and chrome packs, as well as dealer-fit options that enable owners to further personalise their Fiat 500.
All models will feature ABS, air conditioning, power windows, locks and steering, as well as a six speaker MP3-capable audio system and seven airbags – a record for this vehicle class.
The ferocious 74kW 1.4-litre model features ESP and ASR (Anti Slip Regulation) as standard to keep all those horses in check, plus a Hill Holder, to help the driver on hill starts, and HBA (Hydraulic Brake Assistance) which steps in for emergency stops.
Despite the high equipment levels, the Fiat 500 will start at a recommended retail price of $22,990 – a small price to pay for the 2008 European Car of the Year.
Print it: 
*****PRIMO!!*****
Gentleman, if Wheels was fair-dinkum, THIS would FIAT-500 will be the COTY in 08′
End of story!!
Alas, wheels are so predicable the new Falcon Orion will win it
Cheers
F-0
Any idea on weight?
Frugal good point..
And then cause it does win COTY all the rednecks will think it deserved it and wont give the Fiat 500 a chance calling it a womens car because a V8 shows how strong they are.
The Fiat 500 should deserve to win simply because it is extremely hard to make a cheap car that looks soo good and built so well.
^^ kerb weight just under 1100kgs
Yes Elitist you are correct, but i made the comment on the basis that the 500 has won just about every world auto award in Europe, its world class, and a simple brilliant small and super safe car at these difficult times.
Waiting list in Oz is out to 4 months and she is not even out yet……
Cheers
F-0
I love it. Makes more sense than a Smart4two
I’m thinking options such as leather and sunroof could boost the price of this little fella to well over $30K?
Elitist – you may think it looks good. I think it looks boring and uninspired.
I think the Orion falcon won’t have a chance at winning COTY, Frugal. Not being nasty to my Ford friends here, I’m just suspecting that it won’t be car of the year material, just like a lot of other very good cars aren’t.
WHEELS always cops a bagging for their choice, but remember it’s a points tally by individual judges against set criteria such as value, efficiency, safety and so on.
If this little Fiat comes across as an excellent all-rounder, like anything, it’s in with a chance. Looks like you’ll be able to order an interior in red, too!
Doc ive seen it in real, for a cheap car its actually better than the mini inside…
Big statement I know but ive been in both.
Obviously not everyone is going to like the same car but Im talking about judging it on the merits of its design for a cheap car. This car goes against Korean and Polo cars.
I dunno if I would pay near $30K for an optioned up Sport model but I wouldn’t say no if someone gave me one.*
* As a qualifier, if someone gave me a Holwoo Barina, I would tell them to shove it up their arse.
The 500 diesel was driven by James May in the Top Gear UK Autumn series 2007 in Hungary. He rated reasonably well but as all Top Gear Presenters bad marked the diesel engine over the little petrol units that he likes to thrash.
I see it as the most influential cars released scince the BMW Mini. Theres going to be loads of these around especially in Italy and Spain where they particularly like small cars.
Me…well i’d have the diesel if I were in the market for such a small car and would have the 500 over the Mini. Roll on the Abarth Racing Version.
Why couldnt they made it electric?
Why should the 500 win COTY 08? Wheels selects COTY based on how each car stacks up against different criteria.
Against the criteria of Value it will struggle. $30,000 on road?
Against the criteria of Technology it will also have a hard time as it doesn’t break new ground. It’s essentially a Panda in very nice clothes. The Panda is a convential small car, nothing earth shattering.
The 500 will score well for Environment and Efficiency and for Design, but that’s about it.
Don’t get me wrong, I think the 500 is a suburb car, but not COTY.
hmmm the abartho model looks nice whens that coming out here and how much will it be ?