The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Fiat announces pricing for new special edition Collezione 500
Fiat has unveiled a new special edition Collezione 500 in London to mark 10 years of special 500 city car models, with prices starting from £13,875.
The Collezione is the 30th special edition of the new 500, which first went on sale in 2007. However, Fiat didn’t launch a special edition 500 until 2008.
Though the 500 has been around for some time now, with only regular special editions and a hefty facelift a few years since keeping the car fresh; quarter one of 2018 was its best period for sales, with 60,000 units being shifted.
The Collezione, unveiled originally at the Geneva Motor Show in March, is available in hatchback and convertible (500C) forms, both identically priced.
Highlights include chrome-plated front accents on the bumper, bonnet and wing mirrors – a hark back to the original. A two-tone paint finish also features, as well as chromed Collezione branding.
Exclusive 16-inch wheels come as standard, while five colour options are available, as well as optional paint liveries. Inside, it comes with two-tone seats, a coloured dashboard and special floor mats. A seven-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity is also an option.
The Collezione model is only available with a 1.2-litre petrol unit, which produces 69bhp. A 0.9-litre ‘TwinAir’ engine is available across other models, although this accounts for just 5% of UK 500 sales. It’s available with a fivespeed manual gearbox or a Dualogic automatic transmission.
The Fiat 500 was first launched in 1957 and marked its 60th birthday last year, with several iconic special edition models being unveiled in 2017. The modern, 2007 model has managed to sell two million units since then, with the car available as a hatch, convertible, MPV and crossover.
Thirty special edition models have been made by Fiat and Abarth of the 500 in just 10 years, with the Italian firm teaming up with companies such as Gucci and Ferrari on fiery (and ultraexpensive) Abarth hot hatch models.