By Mauricio Lezcano / carsntravel.com / Photos FCA US.
Beautiful Italian styling combined with functionality, efficient design and innovative technology have been hallmark attributes for the Fiat 500, making it a timeless icon for nearly 60 years. And for 2016, the Fiat 500c Easy Cabrio will continue to deliver on these attributes by introducing new features and exterior paint colors to enhance the customer’s driving experience and personalization options.
Exterior
The Fiat 500c Easy Cabrio features city-friendly proportions and iconic Cinquecento cues, wrapped in modern Italian styling that conveys simplicity and strength.
With its signature whiskers and logo face, circular projector headlamps and lower park lamps, the Fiat 500c Easy Cabrio combines the family resemblance of the latest Fiat models with the distinctive elements of the original Cinquecento in stylistic harmony. To show its road-holding stance, the vehicle’s front fascia tapers outward toward its large wheel arches and features horizontal chromed trim for an added touch of sophistication.
Even the rear is stylized with its signature chromed license plate brow, a motif from the original Cinquecento that was inspired by a bicycle saddle. To keep the rear design clean, the rear tail lamps are neatly set between the edges of the lift gate, and the lighting functions are divided vertically following the door’s cutline.
New exterior paint colors for 2016 are Spitfire Orange, Grigio Cenre (light gray), Rhino (dark gray) and Latte Menta (light green). Celeste Blue (light blue), previously only available on the Fiat 500 1957 Edition, is now available throughout the Fiat 500 lineup.
Interior
The interior design is an artistic blend of clean lines and conveniently located features inspired by the historical model. The concentric instrument cluster features the speedometer, tachometer and trip computer in a distinct and effective manner.
Designers made an amazingly roomy and capable cabin within its city-friendly size. With built-in storage spaces including two in the instrument panel, map pockets in the door panels, another below the center console’s shifter bezel and one below the passenger seat, the Fiat 500c Easy Cabrio can quickly and conveniently store mobile devices and travel gear. In addition, the luggage compartment is spacious, providing a maximum of 30.1 cubic feet of gear.
The rear seat is designed to be comfortable for two adults and delivers the same high-quality comfort and craftsmanship as the driver and front-passenger seat. To highlight the fact that the car is roomy, the rear passengers’ upper seatbacks are raised and bolstered for added back support.
New for 2016, the Fiat 500c Easy models build on the Pop models to provide customers with additional features and personalization options. The Easy models include a unique interior with premium cloth bucket seats, standard 7-inch color high-definition cluster display, premium audio system and the all-new Uconnect 5.0 system, which includes a 5-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth capability and integrated voice command, is also standard on the 500c Easy models.
Open-air freedom with an intelligent power cloth top
With just the push of a button, the Fiat 500c Easy Cabrio power-operated cloth top retracts up to the rear spoiler during speeds up 60 mph. Press the roof button again, and the roof will neatly fold all the way open and tuck neatly behind the rear head restraints. The power operated cloth top is also intelligently designed.
For access to the trunk, parallelogram lift gate hinges conveniently position the lift gate out of the way, while the power-operated cloth top automatically retracts back to the rear-spoiler position to avoid any obstruction.
In addition to its cleverly designed multi-position power-retractable cloth top, the Fiat 500c Easy Cabrio fully stamped body-side silhouette retains the iconic Cinquecento form while delivering added structural strength. In addition, its longer windshield and minimized header design maximize rear-seated passengers’ outward visibility, while minimizing cabin turbulence.
Engine and Transmission
Fiat’s 1.4-liter engine with state-of-the-art MultiAir technology powers the 2016 Fiat 500c Easy Cabrio, and reduces emissions while improving fuel economy and power.
Delivering spirited driving and well-suited for the Fiat 500’s lightweight design and city-friendly size, Fiat’s efficient and responsive 1.4-liter MultiAir in-line four-cylinder engine provides 101 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 98 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,000 rpm.
The six-speed automatic transmission provides smooth shifting and excellent fuel economy. For more engaging driving, the driver can select the Sport mode; Should the driver select Sport mode on the instrument panel, the all-new six-speed automatic transmission provides greater driving enjoyment. Through advanced powertrain management, Sport mode enables quicker gear changes, a unique throttle map for improved engine responsiveness and allows each gear to be held for longer periods near the redline.
Summary
Like the original Cinquecento, the Fiat 500c Easy Cabrio showcases the brand’s ingenuity to build world-class small cars that ignite a spirit of the times through simple design, beautiful craftsmanship and timeless value; More than 50 years later, and thanks to its stylistic and modern technological features, the Fiat 500c Easy Cabrio represents the spark of another milestone along the lasting process of expansion. And this is where history starts again.
The manufacturer’s suggested retail price starts at $21,395.00, the one I drove included GPS Navigation, SiriusXM Sat Radio with 1 Year Radio Subscription, Auto Dimming Rearview Mirror with Microphone, Auto Temperature Control Air Conditioning with Micron Filter, Beats Premium Audio System, Avorio (Ivory) Seats and the 6 Speed Automatic Transmission, and it came in at $25,990.00 including destination charge. The EPA fuel economy estimates 27 MPG City and 34 MPG Highway.
mlezcano@carsntravel.com
