Prices are up, there’s still no reversing camera, the clever 1.2-litre turbocharged ‘TwinAir’ engine has been scrapped and styling changes are minimal…but the updated Fiat 500 doe score some touchscreen technology inside and bigger brakes underneath.
For Australia the model range has been reviewed and the mid-grade ‘S’ model has been dropped so we have the entry-level Fiat 500 ‘Pop’ powered by the 51kW/102Nm 1.2-litre, four-cylinder engine (driving through either a five-speed manual transmission or the ‘Dualogic’ five-speed automatic) and the range-topping ‘Lounge’ gets the 74kW/131Nm 1.4-litre powerplant driving through either a six-speed manual or the five-speed ‘Dualogic’ auto.
Wisely only minimal styling changes for the iconic Italian cutie – slightly revised lights front and rear and some different air intake ducts.
Inside, the 500 picks-up Fiat-Chrysler’s ‘Uconnect’ infotainment system with a five-inch or seven-inch screen, Bluetooth hands-free calling, voice recognition and DAB+ digital radio.
The new Fiat 500 lineup is:
Pop $18,000 ($19,000 ‘Driveaway’).
Lounge $21,000 ($22,000 ‘Driveaway’).
