Fiat 500 Convertible Ready for Geneva Motor Show

Even if the 2009 North American International Auto Show is not over yet, people are already talking about the upcoming Geneva Motor Show which opens its doors on March 5. According to Channel4, Italian automaker Fiat will unveil its new 500 Cabriolet at Geneva, with the model expected to go on sale soon after the show. Obviously, Fiat plans to release the Convertible before summer, with the United Kingdom likely to be the first market to get the new model, the aforementioned source explained.

There are only a few details available at this time, but we do know the upcoming Convertible will be a four-seater despite the fact that the rear seats will be a bit smaller than the ones on the base model. The trunk will also be reduced, Channel4 wrote quoting a source familiar with the manufacturing process. The interior is pretty much the same with the one seen on the base Fiat 500 model, without too many additions.

Fiat didn't modify the Convertible too much as it only installed a folding canvas roof, without modifying the door pillars and the roof structure. However, the rear side of the car is a bit different as it houses the removable roof, reducing the total interior space and the trunk volume.

In terms of engines, the same source says the Convertible may get almost the same configurations as on the base 500 model but without a 75 bhp 1.3-diesel configuration. However, all engine choices will come with Fiat's stop and go system that reduces fuel consumption, especially in city driving. The base Fiat 500 variant will be upgraded with this system in early 2010, Channel4 said.