Photo: Ferd
On July 4th of 1957, the Dante Giacosa-designed Fiat 500 was launched in Italy. Fast-forward to the present day and we’re preparing to say hello to the 500 facelift in two days’ time. Ladies and gentlemen, the Cinquecento Tipo 312 is preparing to reinvent itself, and things appear to be good.
A crash course in modern Fiat 500 history will highlight that the cheeky Italian supermini started production in 2007. As such, the Fiat 500 facelift is a mid-cycle refresh that comes eight years after the model was introduced. Put frankly, this timeframe is better suited to launch a new generation, not a mid-cycle update. The 500 makes an exception though.
You see, Roberto Giolito designed the modern Fiat 500 in a timeless manner, with curvatures and details that don’t show their age. With demand for the 500 city car still through the roof, it would’ve been foolish for Fiat to change the sure shot recipe we all know and love, mostly in Abarth-branded form.
With the 2016 Fiat 500 facelift, automotive tipster Ferd shows us some exclusive spy shots of the exterior and interior of the teeny-weeny three-door urban runaround and all is right with it. From the 500X crossover-inspired headlights to the mildly remodeled radiator grille and chrome trim, to the LED-licious taillamps and so forth, the 2016 Fiat 500 facelift is a winner.
From the interior spy photo, we need to point out the three visual differences we identified over the outgoing pre-facelift Fiat 500: the redesigned steering wheel and the Uconnect 5-inch infotainment system that resembles the unit equipping the Alfa Romeo MiTo. These two and the central air vents represent all there is to the interior makeover of the facelift.
Because the original 500 was born in Turin on July 4th, the Italian brand will use the same date and place to launch the updated Fiat Cinquecento. Having sold more than 1.5 million examples since 2007, the Italian manufacturer promised that the reveal will be “an unforgettable event” for 500 enthusiasts.
You see, Roberto Giolito designed the modern Fiat 500 in a timeless manner, with curvatures and details that don’t show their age. With demand for the 500 city car still through the roof, it would’ve been foolish for Fiat to change the sure shot recipe we all know and love, mostly in Abarth-branded form.
With the 2016 Fiat 500 facelift, automotive tipster Ferd shows us some exclusive spy shots of the exterior and interior of the teeny-weeny three-door urban runaround and all is right with it. From the 500X crossover-inspired headlights to the mildly remodeled radiator grille and chrome trim, to the LED-licious taillamps and so forth, the 2016 Fiat 500 facelift is a winner.
From the interior spy photo, we need to point out the three visual differences we identified over the outgoing pre-facelift Fiat 500: the redesigned steering wheel and the Uconnect 5-inch infotainment system that resembles the unit equipping the Alfa Romeo MiTo. These two and the central air vents represent all there is to the interior makeover of the facelift.
Because the original 500 was born in Turin on July 4th, the Italian brand will use the same date and place to launch the updated Fiat Cinquecento. Having sold more than 1.5 million examples since 2007, the Italian manufacturer promised that the reveal will be “an unforgettable event” for 500 enthusiasts.
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