Fiat 500C 1.4 (2009)

The 500 has been an unprecedented success for Fiat. Last year the company’s revitalised UK dealer network shifted 15,148 500 models, and this year that number is expected to climb some 34% to 20,310. And this sales success will be bolstered by the arrival of the 500C convertible.

On sale from 2 July 2009, the dinky 500C echoes its 1957 predecessor with a simple folding fabric roof and winning character. Only 1500 are destined for the UK this year because of production constraints – from next year this should level out to annual sales of around 3000, around 15% of total 500 sales.

How different is the Fiat 500C compared to the standard car?
The 500C shares its key componentry with the tin-top version so you get the same range of 69bhp 1.2 and 100bhp 1.4 petrol and 75bhp diesel engines, five- and six-speed manual boxes, as well as the familiar Pop and Lounge trim levels. Prices range from £11,300 for the 1.2 Pop to a rather steep £14,100 for the 1.3 Lounge. That’s a full £3000 premium over the fixed-head version, although Fiat is quick to point out that the cabrio enjoys higher levels of standard spec, with seven airbags, central locking, unique alloys, a decent six-speaker audio system and air-con on all models. And its internal and external dimensions mirror those of the standard 500, save the 182-litre boot, which is now three whole litres smaller.

Tell me about the roof then…
Fiat opted for the sliding fabric roof rather than a full pillarless convertible or folding metal hard-top for two reasons – firstly, it created a neat and exploitable historic link with the original 500 of 1957 which started life as a convertible first, with a tin-top following three years later; and secondly it cut development time and saved on engineering costs, allowing Fiat to equip the cabrio with the same active and passive safety features of the hatch which posts a full five-star Euro NCAP rating.

Engineering mods are minimal – to compensate for the loss of roof, the 500C is fitted with a more robust front cross-member behind the dash; a rear strut on which the retracted roof sits; bolstered B-pillars; a smaller but stiffer header rail for the windscreen; and the rear suspension receives the anti-roll bar setup from the frisky Abarth. In total, they add 40kg to the car’s kerb weight.