Photo: Fiat
Instead of reviving the brand with superior reliability and better products, Fiat appears to be caught in a loop. Special edition after special edition is how the Italians are minding their business, and the same stands true for the automaker’s operations in Australia.
Enter the 500 Collezione Fall/Winter, based on the Lounge trim level and scheduled to go on sale this August. The special edition’s name is somewhat confusing if you remember that summer is here, and obviously enough, Fiat decided to borrow fashion nomenclature.
It’s as if the higher-ups and bean counters don’t have the slightest bit of imagination, and neither do they feel the need for something a bit more exciting than a special edition of an old car. Adding insult to injury, Fiat also talks about exclusivity given that only 30 examples of the breed will be available at a suggested retail price of $21,990.
There’s also a convertible on offer, priced at $25,990 before options. So what makes this 500 the Fall/Winter and not a bone-stock model? The list of upgrades is not all that impressive, starting with a two-tone exterior (Bordeaux and Grey Solid), a copper line on the sides, chrome detailing, 16-inch wheels with copper garnish, and plenty of badging.
Moving on to the interior of the city car, 500 logos are complemented by piping on the seats and striped inserts, grey accents on the dashboard along with copper trim, and embroidered floor mats. On the technological front, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay come standard for the 7.0-inch Uconnect touchscreen infotainment system. A 7.0-inch screen for the instrument cluster, cruise control, automatic climate control, and rear parking sensors are also featured.
Described as “one of the very few fashionable vehicles available in Australia” by director of product strategy Guillaume Drelon, the 500 Collezione Fall/Winter comes with a 1.2-liter engine with 69 PS (68 horsepower) and a five-speed manual transmission. Very fashionable indeed…
On a more optimistic note, Fiat is working behind closed doors towards a big launch for 2020. More to the point, the 500e will return with a bigger battery and more range than the outgoing e-city car.
It’s as if the higher-ups and bean counters don’t have the slightest bit of imagination, and neither do they feel the need for something a bit more exciting than a special edition of an old car. Adding insult to injury, Fiat also talks about exclusivity given that only 30 examples of the breed will be available at a suggested retail price of $21,990.
There’s also a convertible on offer, priced at $25,990 before options. So what makes this 500 the Fall/Winter and not a bone-stock model? The list of upgrades is not all that impressive, starting with a two-tone exterior (Bordeaux and Grey Solid), a copper line on the sides, chrome detailing, 16-inch wheels with copper garnish, and plenty of badging.
Moving on to the interior of the city car, 500 logos are complemented by piping on the seats and striped inserts, grey accents on the dashboard along with copper trim, and embroidered floor mats. On the technological front, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay come standard for the 7.0-inch Uconnect touchscreen infotainment system. A 7.0-inch screen for the instrument cluster, cruise control, automatic climate control, and rear parking sensors are also featured.
Described as “one of the very few fashionable vehicles available in Australia” by director of product strategy Guillaume Drelon, the 500 Collezione Fall/Winter comes with a 1.2-liter engine with 69 PS (68 horsepower) and a five-speed manual transmission. Very fashionable indeed…
On a more optimistic note, Fiat is working behind closed doors towards a big launch for 2020. More to the point, the 500e will return with a bigger battery and more range than the outgoing e-city car.
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