The Auto Writer

Introduced at the Geneva Motor Show, the Fiat 500 cabriolet is an eye catcher, just the sort of model needed to build on the success of the widely popular 500 line.

I don’t report all that often on cars sold around the world that aren’t also available in North America. Given that the overwhelming majority of The Auto Writer readership is from the United States and Canada, why tease people with what may never be?

But, I know my readers like to follow the trends as what happens elsewhere may set the tone for what we’ll see in a few years here. One example of this is the Fiat 500, a subcompact car from the Italian automaker which was overhauled for the 2008 model year. This top selling model is a good entry point for the Fiat brand and may find its way across the Atlantic if Fiat and Chrysler are able to forge an alliance.

What’s Playing In Geneva?

At the Geneva Motor Show, Fiat rolled out a cabriolet version of the 500 and it is a nice looking car at that. Fiat says that the fabric roof is available in three colors (ivory, red and black) and includes a glass rear screen and high, center-mounted tail light.

In addition, Fiat developed two new paint colors for the cabriolet model only — Brilliant Pearl Red and Warm Grey. The latter color Fiat says is typical of sports supercars — did they have Ferrari in mind when developing this color?

Engine choices include a 1.2L and 1.4L gas motor as well as a 1.3L TDI version. Should the 500 eventually be sold in North America, I can’t see anything but the 1.4L being the base engine here. All engines are paired with a standard five-speed manual transmission which shuts down the engine when the car is in idle, such as when in traffic.

Stylish Roofline Hearkens Back to the 1960s

Back to the roof line — Fiat fans who are familiar with the original 500 will see a styling cue straight out of the 1960s — a full length roof. Electrically operated, the roof recedes much in the same way that the cabriolet Smart ForTwo roof does.

Source: Geneva Motor Show