Comments on: 2008 Fiat 500 specifications released

By: snob

snob — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 03:47:01 +0000

hmmm the abartho model looks nice whens that coming out here and how much will it be ?

By: Rich

Rich — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 08:19:27 +0000

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.

By: Duck

Duck — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 01:19:40 +0000

Why couldnt they made it electric?

By: No Name

No Name — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 15:05:09 +0000

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.

By: supercujo

supercujo — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 14:31:51 +0000

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.

By: Elitist

Elitist — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 13:50:14 +0000

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.

By: golfschwein

golfschwein — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 13:27:43 +0000

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!

By: Doc

Doc — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 13:08:22 +0000

Elitist – you may think it looks good. I think it looks boring and uninspired.

By: Anthony

Anthony — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 12:14:52 +0000

I’m thinking options such as leather and sunroof could boost the price of this little fella to well over $30K?

By: Anthony

Anthony — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 12:11:39 +0000

I love it. Makes more sense than a Smart4two

By: Frugal One

Frugal One — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 12:00:56 +0000

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

By: Lcat

Lcat — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 11:57:58 +0000

^^ kerb weight just under 1100kgs

By: Elitist

Elitist — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 11:51:04 +0000

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.

By: jbot

jbot — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 11:16:55 +0000

Any idea on weight?

By: Frugal One

Frugal One — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 11:05:51 +0000

*****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