When the new Fiat 500 goes on sale in the UK on 21 January 2008, it will be exactly 500 hours after the start of the New Year.

Designed by Fiat Centro Stile, the new car’s chic styling boasts visual cues from the past, but it is far from a simple, nostalgic interpretation of Dante Giacosa’s iconic Fiat 500 of July 1957.

Taking a quantum leap forward in terms of safety, technology, comfort and equipment for this segment, it represents a company blueprint for a future which embraces a modern approach, new brand strategies, radical innovations in customer relations and a lasting process of expansion.

Significantly, the highly innovative Fiat 500 brings several unprecedented attributes to this segment for the first time: The new Fiat has been awarded a maximum 5-star rating in the gruelling Euro NCAP crash test safety programme, placing it at the very top of its category in terms of passive, active and preventive safety. This is the first time that a car of such compact dimensions, (3.5 metres in length), has achieved a maximum rating, and the first time that a car of its type has been equipped with seven airbags as standard across the entire range.

The new Fiat 500 is also the first car to be launched with a full range of frugal, low emissions engines that are not only Euro 4 compliant, but also meet emissions limits which are expected to be set by forthcoming Euro 5 standards, more than two years before the legislative deadline.

These and other attributes have already been recognised and rewarded with prestigious international awards, including Car of the Year 2008, which is bestowed  by 58 specialist journalists from 22 European countries.

Nine versions of the new 500, priced from £7900-£10,700 on-the-road, go on sale in the UK at launch, embracing three trim levels – Pop, Lounge and Sport. The new Fiat offers levels of equipment more usually associated with cars of a far higher segment, with ABS anti-lock braking, remote central locking, seven airbags, electric front windows and door mirrors, an MP3-compatible CD player and Dualdrive electric power steering fitted as standard even on entry level models.

The new Fiat 500’s comprehensive standard equipment package is further enhanced by a range of innovative, safety and comfort-enhancing options such as automatic climate control, a SkyDome sunroof, parking sensors, an anti-glare electro-chromatic rear mirror, an Interscope Sound System Hi-Fi and Blue&Me mobile phone and MP3 player connectivity with steering wheel controls.

Moreover, the Fiat 500 personalisation programme offers an additional range of over 100 bespoke accessories which, generating more than 500,000 possible trim, colour and option combinations, gives owners the opportunity to personalise the new Fiat to levels unprecedented in this segment.

The new Fiat 500 goes on sale with a choice of three powerplants; the latest 75 bhp derivation of Fiat Group Automobiles’ widely acclaimed, state-of-the-art 1.3 litre 16-valve MultiJet turbodiesel, and two refined and economical FIRE petrol engines – a 1.2 litre 8-valve 69 bhp unit, and a spirited 100 bhp version of the 1.4 litre 16-valve powerplant.

Both 1.2 litre petrol engine and 1.3 litre turbodiesel come with 5-speed manual gearboxes, while the 1.4 litre petrol unit is mated to a 6-speed manual transmission. Dualogic – a clutchless, 5-speed sequential manual shift with a selectable fully automatic mode – is offered as an optional transmission on all petrol-engined Fiat 500 models.

With a 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating to its name, the new Fiat 500 builds on an already impressive safety portfolio with the full range of braking, traction control and stability systems available on the market today: ABS anti-lock brakes, complete with electronic brakeforce distribution, ASR to limit wheel spin during acceleration, MSR to modulate brake torque while changing down, and a sophisticated ESP to control stability through bends. Vehicles fitted with ESP – standard equipment on 1.4 litre versions – also benefit from hydraulic brake assistance and a unique Hill Holder function to facilitate smooth hill starts.

Building on Fiat's unrivalled reputation as the world's pre-eminent small car specialists, the new Fiat 500 was created in just 18 months from completed production specification to launch.

To achieve this remarkable development time, Fiat Group Automobiles employed new, groundbreaking, state-of-the-art Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) systems of unprecedented power and complexity. So sophisticated is the computer software involved, that not only could Fiat’s engineers simulate every aspect of the new 500’s structural, dynamic, NVH and accommodation characteristics to a level of unprecedented detail, but they were also able to create a virtual production-line to ensure consistently outstanding component and build quality.

The benefits of these all-encompassing developments in virtual design and engineering are clearly evident in every aspect of the new Fiat 500, from unprecedented build quality and capacious passenger accommodation, to superior driving dynamics, minimal NVH levels and, of course, outstanding safety. In recognition of its high quality construction, the new Fiat 500 recently won the world’s most prestigious prize for car bodies, (see next section).

Fiat 500 on the awards trail
It’s attracted critical acclaim, created astonishing interest and stoked up colossal passion… and now the new Fiat 500 is racking up the honours.

Good looks, superb design, safety, drive quality, versatility, fun and sheer desirability – these are just some of the attributes which judges from journalist groups, TV shows, specialist magazines and evaluation juries across Europe have cited as their reasons for putting the Fiat 500 first when it comes to 2007’s new cars.

Just six months after the international launch of the new Fiat 500, its list of top honours already makes impressive reading – and there are more to come.

Among the most important and influential crowns already awarded to the Fiat 500 last year (2007) are:

Car of the Year 2008: the major European award, presided over by 58 specialist international journalists from 22 countries. The 500 was a clear winner in this year’s prestigious competition

Auto Europa 2008: voted by the Italian Union of Automotive Journalists (UIGA). This is the most important accolade awarded by the Italian specialist press

EuroCarBody 2007: the world’s most prestigious prize for car bodies. Six hundred experts voted for their winner

Auto Trophy: votes from German magazine Auto Zeitung’s readers are collected across a huge range of car sectors

L’Automobile piu bella del Mondo: an international jury – leading artists, designers and editors – elect the best cars for the year (2007). The new 500 is best ‘City Car and Compact’

Fifth Gear Best Small Car of the Year: popular UK motoring TV show voted the new Fiat 500 its best small car for 2008

CAR Car of the Year: leading UK monthly motoring magazine gave the new Fiat 500 its top marks

BBC Top Gear Awards 07: City Car.  Sales-leading UK monthly motoring magazine makes the new 500 its top town transport.

DESIGN
Designed by Fiat Centro Stile and built at the company’s Tychy plant in Poland, the new Fiat 500 has a significance far greater than that of simple, nostalgic interpretation. While respecting the iconic original’s concept in shape, functional simplicity, reliability and economy, Fiat’s fundamental goal has not been to design a car that ‘looks like’ a 500 but, rather, one that ‘could be’ a 500 again.

Dante Giacosa’s outstandingly successful 500 – a masterpiece of industrial design of which exactly 3,893,294 examples were built between 1957 and 1975 – was launched on 4 July 1957 as a period of post-war regeneration was closing and radical renewal to the company’s product range was also coming to an end, presaging a cycle of successes in the coming decade which hallmark it as one of the brightest periods in the brand’s 108-year history.

Although parallels with the new Fiat 500 are obvious, the latter has been developed in close collusion with potential customers through a communications project known as ‘500 wants you’. Since it went on line in May 2006, the website, www.fiat500.com has been visited by over 3,700,000 users who, via the site’s Concept-Lab, submitted over 275,000 configurations, suggestions for accessories and means of personalising the new model.

As a result, Fiat Centro Stile developed the Personalisation programme in parallel with the 500 project, creating a comprehensive range of over 100 accessories which give owners a vast opportunity to personalise the new Fiat to levels unprecedented in this segment.

Styling
Derived from Fiat Centro Stile’s widely applauded Trepiuno concept car first shown at the 2004 Geneva Motorshow, the 3-door Fiat 500’s very short bonnet and minimal front and rear overhangs create an exceptionally compact bodyshell, measuring just 3546mm in length, 1627 mm in width and 1488 mm in height.

The front of the new 500 is designed to combine styling cues of the latest models in the Fiat family with the most distinctive elements of the original 500, the strongest references to the latter being a combination of circular upper headlights, separate, lower, full beam lamp housings and the trademark ‘whisker and logo’ badging derived from the name of the very first Fiat 500, the 1936 Topolino – ‘little mouse’.

The short bonnet and steeply raked, ‘cab forward’ A pillar location belie the 500’s highly compact, front engine FWD format, while the resultant aerodynamic efficiency awards the new Fiat a drag coefficient of just Cd 0.325, promoting exceptional high-speed stability, a marked reduction in wind noise intrusion to the interior, and enhanced fuel economy. Safety has also been an important design consideration, and despite the highly compact nature of the design, the tapered bumper structure and rounded front profile award the new Fiat a high standard of pedestrian protection.

In profile, muscular front and rear wheel arches and crisp door sill detailing highlight the new Fiat’s wide track and reinforce the car’s exceptional dynamic abilities. Aerodynamic, door-mounted mirrors not only further reduce interior wind noise levels, but also emphasise the 500’s tapering waistline, which, allied to a blacked out B pillar and seamless roofline, reinforces the smoothly integrated look of the design.

At the rear, a large, chrome plated tailgate handle recalls the ‘bicycle saddle’ motif of the original 500’s registration plate light holder. Large, high visibility tail light clusters flank a practical, top-hinged tailgate – with an integral roof spoiler and third stop light – which offers full-width access to the loadspace across a low-silled aperture. The new Fiat’s broad, purposeful rear stance is further strengthened by an integral lower bumper housing a full width nudge bar.

Augmented by a range of seven alloy wheel and two wheel trim designs; a choice of eight sticker kits which combined with body colours yield 19 possible personalisations; and 10 different badges combining to offer a wide variety of custom finishes themed on the chequered flag, monochrome stripes, a barcode, and even the Italian flag, the new Fiat 500 will be available in a range of 12 body colours, (eight pastel, three metallic, plus the exclusive pearl-effect Funk White), many of which have been inspired by the original shades of the first 500.

Life on board
Despite its compact overall dimensions, the new Fiat 500’s 2300 mm wheelbase affords it a capacious, flexible interior with seating for four adults. Painstaking detailing of the Seat bases and tailgate hinges has created surprisingly commodious rear Seat accommodation.

The combination of a height adjustable seat, rake adjustable steering wheel, tapering A pillar and generous glazing offer the Fiat 500 driver a comfortable, highly adaptable driving position with excellent all-round visibility. Unrivalled driver ergonomics have been achieved through painstaking detailing and the careful placement of switchgear.

Complementing a clear, functional driver's instrument binnacle which houses both rev counter and speedometer within a single, double-bezelled dial, the high quality centre console raises the gear lever to within the closest practical proximity of the steering wheel, allowing for quick, accurate changes with minimal physical effort. Careful consideration has gone into the placement of all other console-based functions, with the stereo CD/radio placed at the highest level to offer ease of access with minimal driver distraction.

The steering wheel, together with the central dashboard area which houses ventilation/air conditioning controls, may be specified in a choice of finishes, black or ivory, whilst the main fascia panel has a paint finish to match the exterior bodywork colour. Extensive cabin storage includes two large dashboard compartments, a bin under the front passenger Seat cushion, generous door pockets, small and medium sized drawers, centre console cup holders and a removable rear parcel shelf.

Via a top hinged tailgate and low loading threshold, the luggage compartment offers 185 litres of storage, and a maximum of 550 litres with the rear Seat back folded.

Fiat and the environment
Fiat is widely considered to be among the ‘greenest’ car manufacturers in the world, and its cars boast some of the most impressive CO₂ figures available.

Fiat Group has led the way in responding effectively to the need to limit the impact that transport has on the environment. And to achieve this important goal, Fiat continues to propose concrete solutions that are within everyone’s reach and are on the market today. For example, Fiat is European leader in the production of compact cars – by definition, among the most environment-friendly. And the launch of the new Fiat 500, which introduces Euro 5-ready engines, (petrol and diesel), is two years ahead of the legislative deadline.

Additionally, Fiat’s commitment to environmental concerns has resulted in the decision to introduce Euro 5 engines on the majority of its range by the end of 2009.

Protection of the environment is an essential aspect of the development of all Fiat Group Automobiles models, and this constant commitment has won the company acknowledgement as the best European brand for the reduction in CO₂ emissions. That recognition came in 2005, from an independent source (European Federation for Transport and Environment – EFTE), and in 2006 the Group achieved an 18 per cent reduction on 1995. That same year, 55 per cent of all the cars sold by Fiat had CO₂ emissions below 140 g/km – an industry voluntary target – while 13 per cent were below 120 g/km.

For 2007, the company again leads the way with regard to low CO₂ emissions, and continues to make improvements in terms of average emissions (g/km), according to the latest report from the EFTE. Its figures show that Fiat’s average CO₂ output was 144 g/km for 2006, down from 145 g/km – a change of -0.5 per cent. This puts it in second place among all the major manufacturers included in the research.

The carbon dioxide benchmark figures for an entire fleet average, form the basis of a car maker’s environmental, or ‘green’, credentials, and future European Union regulations are likely to be based upon them.

But, regardless of any decisions taken by the EU, Fiat is committed to reaching the lowest average level for CO₂ emissions for its cars by 2012. Of course, it helps that a high proportion of Fiat sales are small cars, but the company will continue to strive for improvements through a programme targeting its engines, transmissions and vehicle design.

Stop&Start, which reduces fuel consumption by up to 10 per cent around town, the Multiair electronic inlet valve control system, and a new modular two-cylinder petrol engine all feature among Fiat’s environmentally-friendly developments.

With a major objective to develop and apply innovative technologies for improving powerplant performance while cutting fuel consumption and engine emissions, the major thrust of Fiat’s research is towards integrating mechanical and hydraulic drive systems with electronic regulation schemes in order to control the combustion process and exhaust gas treatment.

With safety and the environment top of Fiat’s agenda, nowhere is this attention more evident than in the research and real-world application made in several key areas. These include:

• reducing emissions of pollutants and greenhouse gases
• reducing fuel consumption and dependency
• developing emissions-curbing systems such as diesel particulate filters
• extending the range of vehicles that are powered by alternative fuels
• continuing work on diesel engines equipped with the MultiJet system

Additionally, Fiat has teamed up with software giant Microsoft to help teach motorists to drive their cars more economically and to reduce emissions. Using a system called EcoDrive, owners will be able to download information about their fuel consumption, driving conditions, emissions and how the car has been driven after every journey, and replay it on their personal computers.

The system will encourage drivers to set themselves challenges such as CO₂ reduction targets for each journey or over a set period of time. In a business community, several drivers could be encouraged to come together to achieve joint targets to make a bigger, collective impact.

Finally, all the vehicles in the Fiat range are already 95 per cent recoverable, anticipating the homologation deadline imposed by Directive 2005/64/CE, which will become obligatory for newly homologated models in December 2008 and for new registrations from July 2010.

At the same time, to improve the environmental impact of its cars at the end of their life-span, Fiat has reduced the use of PVC and thermo-setting polymers, and has considerably increased the quantity of recyclable materials – thus making a significant contribution to the re-use of materials from scrapped cars.

SAFETY
A first for vehicles in this segment, the new Fiat 500 has been awarded a maximum 5-star safety rating in the gruelling Euro NCAP crash test programme, placing it at the very top of its category in terms of passive, active and preventive safety.

This is an important accolade which, together with similar safety ratings already achieved by the Grande Punto and new Bravo, is further confirmation of Fiat’s commitment to all aspects of driver and occupant protection.

To achieve this outstanding result, several thousand hours of computations were carried out, along with innumerable crash tests, simulations with the HyGe sled and tests on components and subsystems, encompassing every possible type of accident: head-on and lateral collisions, rollovers, rear-end collisions and fire. Other factors taken into consideration included the different speeds at which accidents occur, obstacles, pedestrian protection, and the protection of occupants with widely differing physical attributes.

PREVENTIVE SAFETY
The new Fiat 500 meets preventive safety needs with an adjustable cockpit that adapts to drivers of any size. The combination of a height adjustable driver’s Seat and rake adjustable steering, allied to an extensive glazed area, allows the best possible view of the road ahead. User-friendly ergonomics allow drivers to operate all instruments and controls without taking their eyes off the road, and the headlamps incorporate a switchable Daylight Running facility controlled via the vehicle’s on-board computer.

PASSIVE SAFETY
State-of-the-art passive safety is provided by a chassis/platform designed to provide maximum torsional stiffness yet absorb impact with maximum efficiency. Moreover, the new Fiat 500 is the first car in its class to offer seven airbags fitted as standard throughout the range, while front Seat belts with pretensioners and load limiters, three-point rear Seat belts, anti-submarining seats, ISOFIX child Seat attachments in the rear seats and an FPS Fire Prevention System are also all fitted as standard.

Airbags
The new Fiat 500 is fitted, as standard, with no less than seven airbags: driver and passenger front and side airbags, a driver’s knee airbag, and two side curtain airbags providing head protection in the case of side impacts. Their operation is controlled by an electronic control unit that evaluates crash severity via a number of sensors located throughout the car.

The front passenger airbag may be deactivated via the menu of the vehicle’s on-board computer; a dashboard warning light indicates this condition. The seatbelt pretensioner remains active, however, so a rear facing baby Seat can be safely fitted.

Automatic Door Locks
Fitted as standard across the range, switchable automatic door locks can be activated on all doors as soon as the new 500 reaches 12 mph – an important safety and security feature.

ISOFIX Attachments
All versions of the new 500 are fitted with Isofix mountings to ensure the easy and safe installation of child seats. The attachments take the form of two pairs of brackets located at the base of the rear Seat squab. The bracket sizes and settings are in accordance with European standards so that the Seat can be re-used on any other vehicle.

Fire Prevention System
The FPS includes a cut-off valve and an inertia switch which immediately immobilises the electric fuel pump. This prevents fuel loss in the case of impact, roll-over or damage to the fuel lines. The fuel tank, located in a protected position in front of the rear axle, is resistant to mechanical stress and fire. The 500's interior trim is also flame resistant.

ACTIVE SAFETY
The new Fiat 500 offers the full range of braking, traction control and stability systems available today: ABS anti-lock brakes, complete with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, ASR to limit wheel spin during acceleration, MSR to modulate brake torque while changing down, and a sophisticated ESP to control stability through bends. Vehicles fitted with ESP also benefit from hydraulic brake assistance and a unique Hill Holder function to facilitate smooth hill starts. ESP is standard equipment on 1.4 litre versions, and a remarkably low cost option on 1.2 and 1.3 MultiJet versions.

Brakes and Tyres
The servo assisted braking system features two independent crossover hydraulic circuits to ensure prompt, linear braking and short stopping distances. The pedal has a short stroke designed to exploit the assistance characteristics of the 9” servo to the full.

New Fiat 500 versions powered by the 1.2 litre FIRE petrol engine and the 1.3 16v MultiJet are equipped with 240 mm diameter front discs – ventilated in the latter case – and 180 mm drum brakes at the rear. 100 bhp 1.4 16v versions of the new Fiat are fitted with 257 mm x 22 mm ventilated front discs and 240 mm x 11 mm solid rear discs.

Allied to a choice of seven alloy wheel and two wheel trim designs, all Sport and Lounge versions of the new Fiat 500, as well as the 1.4 16v Pop, are equipped with 185/55 R15 tyres. 1.2 8v FIRE and 1.3 16v MultiJet Pop versions are fitted with 175/65 R14 tyres.

ABS
An advanced ABS anti-lock braking system, featuring four active sensors, four channels and a hydraulic control unit with eight solenoids, is fitted as standard across the entire Fiat 500 range.

The system is complemented by an Electronic Brakeforce Distributor (EBD) that governs the braking action on the rear axle to prevent the wheels locking and ensure full control of the car in all situations. The system also adapts its operation to wheel grip conditions and brake pad efficiency to reduce pad overheating and brake servo thrust requirement.

ESP
As part of its comprehensive safety systems, the new Fiat 500 is available with a permanently engaged Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) which activates to help control the car when stability is at risk. This is standard equipment on 1.4 litre versions.  Customers who opt for ESP on 1.2 and 1.3 MultiJet versions benefit from this sophisticated system’s remarkably low price – the lowest on the UK market at just £200.

Via sensors monitoring car body rotation, lateral acceleration and steering wheel input, the system assesses vehicle stability and the proximity of either an understeer or oversteer slide. The system restores stability by applying smoothly modulated braking to the appropriate wheel individually, and simultaneously reducing engine power. Engine power reduction is also carefully modulated to ensure a minimum of performance loss and, hence, continued driver satisfaction.

ASR and MSR
The new 500 is also available with a sophisticated Anti Slip Regulation system (ASR) to restrict wheel slip in cases of reduced grip. ASR traction control works at any speed, and prevents the driven wheels from slipping by adjusting torque according to available levels of grip.

The MSR (Engine Torque Regulator) cuts in when a gear is abruptly shifted down under conditions of low grip. The system restores torque to the engine to prevent skidding as a result of wheel lock-up.

Both ASR and MSR are incorporated as part of the ESP package, along with Hydraulic Brake Assist.

HBA
On Fiat 500 versions without ESP, emergency brake assistance takes the form of Emergency Valve Assistance (EVA); a mechanical system located inside the brake servo. On vehicles fitted with ESP, the function is carried out electronically by the ABS control unit and is known as Hydraulic Brake Assistance (HBA). Both systems carry out an identical function with equal efficiency.

Hill Holder
Fiat's Hill Holder system helps drivers pull away smoothly from an upwards-facing hill start. Operating via the ESP longitudinal acceleration sensor when first gear is engaged and both clutch and brake pedals are pressed, the control unit maintains front calliper pressure for about two seconds after the brake pedal is released to eliminate the risk of rolling backwards and ensure a smooth pull away. Hill Holder does not operate when setting off downhill in first gear, but does so when reverse is engaged and the driver wishes to back uphill.

MODEL RANGE AND EQUIPMENT

The new Fiat 500 will become available in nine versions at launch, as follows:

EQUIPMENT
The new Fiat 500 range is available in three trim levels – Pop, Lounge and Sport. A particularly generous equipment specification has been carefully considered to simplify and enhance life on board, with ABS anti-lock braking, remote central locking, seven airbags, electric front windows and door mirrors, an MP3-compatible CD player and Dualdrive electric power steering fitted as standard, even at entry level.

The three specification levels include the following:

Pop:

• ABS anti-lock braking with EBD
• Remote central locking
• Seven airbags
• Electric front windows and door mirrors
• Height adjustable driver’s seat
• Seat-back pockets
• Radio with MP3-compatible CD player and 6 speakers
• Front passenger under-seat stowage
• Dualdrive electric power steering
• Folding rear seat
• Follow Me Home headlights
• Trip computer

Lounge:
In addition to the Pop specification, Lounge adds:

• Leather steering wheel with Blue&Me controls
• Blue&Me
• Air conditioning
• Luxury interior trim
• 15” alloy wheels
• Body coloured door mirrors
• Exterior chrome trim
• Glass roof (fixed)
• 50:50 split/folding rear Seat with head restraints

Sport:
In addition to the Pop specification, Sport adds:

• Sports leather steering wheel with Blue&Me controls
• Blue&Me
• Air conditioning
• Sports interior trim
• 15” sports alloy wheels
• Body coloured door mirrors
• Dark tinted rear windows
• Spoiler
• Foglights

Dualdrive electric power steering
All new Fiat 500 versions are equipped with this innovative, speed-sensitive power steering system, which comes with two operating modes and uses an electric motor, rather than a hydraulic pump driven by the engine, which results in a considerable reduction in both fuel consumption and noise.

The system offers a choice of two settings: the first ensures maximum feedback and driver involvement, the second lightens the steering to minimise effort, and is therefore ideal for urban driving and low speed manoeuvring.

Pressing the 'City' button on the fascia activates the latter mode. But, to ensure maximum safety under all driving conditions, both settings offer identical power assistance over 44 mph, thus ensuring a steering wheel response suited to high speed driving.

Follow Me Home headlights
A practical, safety-conscious innovation that has been designed to light the interior of a garage or the path to the front door after the car has been locked. Follow Me Home activates the dipped beams and sidelights of the new Fiat 500. The driver simply operates the light flasher stalk within two minutes of switching off the engine. Each time the stalk is operated, light activation is extended by 30 seconds up to a maximum of three-and-a-half minutes.

Sport function (1.4 litre versions)
Pressing the SPORT button on the dashboard engages Sport mode which features a more responsive throttle pedal and increased steering wheel effort and ‘feel’.  When the function is active, the message SPORT is displayed on the instrument panel.  Pressing the button again deactivates this function.  When the Sport button is pressed, the function becomes active after about five seconds.

OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT
The new Fiat 500’s comprehensive standard equipment package is further enhanced by a range of innovative, safety and comfort enhancing options such as automatic climate control, a SkyDome sunroof, parking sensors, an anti-glare electro-chromatic rear mirror, an Interscope Sound System Hi-Fi and Blue&Me mobile phone connectivity with steering wheel controls.

Blue&Me
Blue&Me is an innovative, Windows Mobile-based system arising out of a joint venture between Fiat and Microsoft. The easy-to-use system features USB music player connectivity, and employs Bluetooth technology to allow vehicle occupants to communicate with the outside world via mobile phones.

One year after its launch, the Blue&Me system is enjoying considerable commercial success and is the recipient of numerous awards including business research and consulting firm Frost and Sullivan’s 2006 Excellence in Technology of the Year Award for European Automotive Telematics and Infotainment, and Telematic Update of Detroit’s Best Telematic Solution of the Year 2006. Furthermore, Automotive News Europe awarded the Eurostats 2006 prize to Giuseppe Bonollo, Vice President, Product Portfolio Management, for the success of the system installed in Fiat Group cars.

Blue&Me is fully integrated into the vehicle, and offers a sophisticated handsfree system with voice recognition, that allows customers with Bluetooth mobile phones to make and receive calls without operating the mobile handset itself. The control keys are located on the steering wheel, and include the facility to scroll search through a mobile’s phone book, as well as muting the system for a private call. Users store their mobile number only once on the system, and a personal phone book may be transferred fully and then automatically updated whenever the system detects the mobile phone.

No voice learning stage is required, due to the state-of-the-art voice recognition system. Blue&Me is able to store up to five mobile phones simultaneously, thus permitting more than one vehicle occupant to make immediate use of the system.

In addition, the system features a USB port located on the 500’s transmission tunnel to allow playback of music audio files via any digital system with an analogue connection, such as MP3, WMA, WAV, Smart phones or a USB flash drive.

Interscope Sound System Hi-Fi
Designed and calibrated specifically for the new Fiat 500 passenger compartment, the new Interscope Sound System combines a 30 watt amplifier, six speakers and a 100 watt subwoofer with three different methods of processing both the signal and the related acoustic effects simultaneously.

The first, Trubass, extends the perceived bass frequency field without the aid of a subwoofer, to produce very deep, extended bass notes. The second, Focus, raises the apparent position of the sound sources to ear level, giving the sensation of listening to speakers positioned higher than they actually are and producing clear ‘colour’ free sound across the frequency spectrum. The third method, 3D, spatially equalises stereo reproduction, correcting any errors resultant from speaker positioning and improving spatial perception. The result is a more embracing sound, which recreates an accurate stereophonic reproduction, even for listeners positioned away from the symmetrical axes of the speakers.

SkyDome sunroof
The SkyDome, a large, crystal-glass sunroof, is available in both fixed and opening versions on the new Fiat 500. The opening version consists of a mobile glass panel and a fixed, black polished sheet metal front section which creates a seamless visual link with the windscreen. An interior sunblind may be independently retracted towards the rear of the car.

Via a button adjacent to the central courtesy light, the retractable glass panel becomes a raised spoiler in the first position, thereafter sliding on aluminium guides to the fully opened position. Releasing the control button stops the movement at any required position. Both glass front panel and sunblind may be fully opened in just seven seconds.

Parking sensor
The parking sensor, which is activated whenever the ignition is switched on and reverse gear engaged, consists of four ultrasound sensors fitted in the rear bumper linked to an electronic control unit and a buzzer.

The four detectors cover the rear corners of the new Fiat 500 from a distance of less than 60 cm, and the area immediately behind the car from a distance of less than 150 cm. Proximity information is transmitted to the driver in the form of bleeps at intervals. The bleeps are emitted with increasing frequency, becoming a continuous signal when the car reaches a distance of 30 cm from any obstacle.

PERSONALISATION
In addition to an extensive range of optional equipment, the Fiat 500 also benefits from a dedicated Personalisation programme which gives owners the opportunity to take the new Fiat to levels unprecedented in this segment, with a range of bespoke accessories generating some 549,936 possible combinations of colour, trim and options.

The Personalisation programme has been developed in close collusion with potential customers through a communications project known as ‘500 wants you’. Since it went on line in May 2006, the website, www.fiat500.com has been visited by more than 3,700,000 users who, via the site’s Concept-Lab, submitted over 275,000 configurations, suggestions for accessories and means of customising the new model.

As a result, Fiat Centro Stile developed the Personalisation programme in parallel with the 500 project, creating a comprehensive range of over 100 accessories designed to reinforce the new Fiat’s unique styling, increase comfort and further enhance the quality of life on board.

Building on a range of 12 bodywork colours, a choice of eight sticker kits and 10 different badges combine to offer a wide variety of custom finishes themed on the chequered flag, monochrome stripes, a barcode, and even the Italian flag. A sports kit is also available, adding bespoke sideskirts and a front and rear air dam. Additional chrome detailing is available for bonnet trims, door mirrors, exhausts, bumpers and bumper nudge bars, and a range of seven alloy wheel designs is augmented by a choice of two wheel trim designs.

On board, a range of 14 upholstery solutions, including Frau leather with matching steering wheel and gear lever, augments the choice of black or ivory interior finishes. The Fiat 500 interior may be further personalised with steel kickplates, sporting aluminium pedals and carpet mats with bespoke graphics. A new ignition key design features a nine-strong range of easily interchangeable covers which can be tailored to match both bodywork and sticker graphics, a unique jacket hanger may be attached to the front Seat head restraint, and an innovative fragrance diffuser fits in the cup holder. Drawing power from the 12V socket, the button-activated diffuser may be adjusted for fragrance intensity.

The luggage compartment benefits from numerous storage organisation accessories, and bespoke luggage bars located over the 500’s rear window can be adapted to carry skis or snowboards. Finally, paying homage to its iconic status, a bespoke car cover is decorated with an image of the original 1960s 500.