For buyers of small cars, cost and design
are important aspects of the purchasing consideration. The Fiat 500, when it
arrived here five years ago, had plenty of design clout, but was waaay too
close to $30k to be a big mover. Recently, Fiat distribution came under the
umbrella of the newly formed Fiat Chrysler NZ, and now the entry-level Pop can
be had for under $20k. That makes the diminutive Italian much more interesting
and on the radar of far more buyers. Imagine getting an iconic European weenie
for the same price as a Swift GL. Most Kiwis would quite rightly opt for the
Suzy, but is the repriced Pop something of a bargain or is it all flash, and no
substance?
The
Fiat 500 Pop is a small, cheap, utilitarian car that has become an icon
On paper you'd probably say hell no to
Fifi, not with her anaemic 1.2-litre four-cylinder engine which emits a scant
51kW and 102Nm. Is that enough to blow the froth off a cappuccino? Bear in mind
this is a wee thing on the outside, at 3,546mm, and it weighs in at only 975kg.
Inside it seems bigger; it's a four-seater and will actually take real people
in the back, just not big ones. Certainly, my Labradoodle would have preferred
it to the two-seater V8 ute we had the previous week. But he would not have
appreciated the fact there's a set of Isofix fittings in the back for toddlers.
He doesn't like to share. The hatch isn't handbag-sized either, at 185L.
Dash
is very attractive with its bright splash of body colour and glass-like
switches
What makes Fifi more interesting still is
that she comes with a reasonable amount of gear. Sure, the steel wheels with
plastic covers ruin the Italian supermodel image, but your $20k nets you
halogen headlamps, dual-mode steering (urban/rural settings), seven airbags,
hands-free comms, ESP, air con, and even a comprehensive trip computer.
Fast she ain't, at least not in a speedy
way. Figure on 13sec to get to 100km/h. And there's no real kick in power
delivery anywhere. But she will cruise at 100km/h out of town, and chassis
dynamics easily exceed performance. Better that way than the other. Given the
small size of the engine, it uses fuel at a commensurate rate of 4.5L/100km
cruising on at motorway speeds, 5.0L/100km on Broads.
Rear
seats are cramped for adults; recesses in the side panels aren’t just for show
What we also admire about Fifi is her
timeless design. The latest model 100ks just like the one that arrived here
half a decade ago. And that 100ks like a supersized version of the original.
The best retro design? Perhaps. Like Beetle, you'd never mistake it for
anything else.
City folk may not like the odd driving
position but will appreciate the great outward view, the tiny turning circle,
and the lightweight, fluid nature of its manual gearbox. Add $2k if you want a
self-shifter, but it's a jerky automated manual. The central instrument houses
both revs and speed, neither that easy to read instantly but chic all the same.
I kind of like that the body colour extends into the cabin, with paint splashed
across the dash. It's funky.
An Italian thoroughbred for $20k then? Not
quite, but you can almost smell the cigar.
