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The Fiat 500 has been a big success thanks to its combination of style and quality. Now Fiat has brought that winning combination to the convertible market, can it succeed here too?
The 500C isn’t actually a full convertible but it does have a full-length canvas roof which is close enough to get into this section. One of the benefits of this is the extra rigidity of keeping the sides. It also means that the Fiat keeps its good looks and its boot so we think it’s a good compromise.
Under the bonnet you get a 1.3 litre turbodiesel engine producing 95 bhp at 4,000 rpm and 148 lb.ft of torque at 1,500 rpm. This gives the 500C great fuel consumption and it has a diesel particulate filter as standard. Performance and fuel economy are helped by a very modest 40 Kg weight gain over the hardtop.
The interior is shared with the hatchback which means lots of style and a surprising amount of substance too. The little Fiat offers far higher quality than previous efforts which means that you don’t have to decide between style and longevity anymore. It’s also decent to drive. It isn’t the sharpest but it isn’t bad either; there is fun to be had.
The Fiat 500C is a welcome addition to this market. If you want a super-stylish convertible car there is little competition for this money. The presence of a particulate filter and the preservation of the boot make it a great all rounder.
Read our full Fiat 500C review
