VeloceToday First Drive Exclusive: Fiat 500 Sport

The Bergstrom showroom…devoted to Fiat… is called “FIAT Studio.” Think Italian leather, functional modern Euro design furnishings, soft feminine curved walls…enjoying an espresso while reading an old 500 history book, with World Cup ski racing on the big-screen LG television. Soon there will be a FIAT logo line of Italian fashion merchandise in the boutique area. With their fixed pricing and a sales staff untainted by previous car sales employment…well, its sounding nicely Italian “Saturnesque”. After checking out the brand-new ten-day-old dealership, we were soon driving a new Fiat 500 Sport out of Bergstrom’s lot. During the test we recorded our conversation about the car.

First Impressions:
He said: The stance and profile of the “Sport” is Bad-Ass! Think bantam-weight boxer, martial arts, fighting cock, and pit bull.

She said: So, I have been asked to contribute a “she says” to this piece, and with totally sexist expectations. After protesting a tad too much, I had to admit that cup holders and color schemes ARE important to me as well as many other features that my husband could care less about. So….initial impressions. I was asked to not call this car “cute,” but that’s almost impossible. I’ll settle for “beautifully adorable.” I instantly liked the 500’s form and lines. I must admit that I’m a “butt gal,” and like petite ones at that. The 500 is definitely a bit of a fat bottom girl. And while not to my taste, I’m told that it emulates its predecessors. And after all, fat bottom girls DO make the world go round!

Interior Space:
He said: The latest generation of Euro cars in this size category feature amazing interior packaging like little netted compartments, clever folding seats, and packaging solutions that make you question America’s need for big vehicles. The 500 does as well. A tall driver and/or passenger will both need to spend some time setting the various seat height and backrest adjustments in order to be comfortable. However, our car had a sunroof that may take up headliner space. I think my helmet would clear for track days.

She said: I love small cars! I love to dart, dash and park in a vehicle smaller than a Boston Whaler! I am a smaller type person. In the 500 I could easily make the seat position work for me. I could both reach the pedals and see over the dash board with ease. Not only this, but small modifications could be made to make positioning perfect for me. My favorite car ever EVER was our wonderful Renault Twingo. We logged over 100,000 miles in this mini-wonder driving from Paris to Roma and all points in between. We used to say that the Twingo was bigger on the inside than it was on the outside. That car once hauled two cats, an aquarium, 12 potted plants, two ficus trees, two sets of skis, and enough clothes and household goods to hold us for months over the Alps. Well, the 500 has the same feel with ample room for bags, legs and knees, and even a coupla’ in-laws should one be so brave. All will fit comfortably into the 500’s interior without having to turn, bend twist or squish. Those in-laws will no longer need to throw themselves down into a black pit of a back seat as the 500’s front seats move far forward enough to allow relatively easy access to the rear.

Driving Environment:
He said: There is a blend of warm Italian tactile controls and rather harsh MOPAR plastic surrounding the driver, but no complaints at this selling price! The tall seating creates excellent visibility. The steering wheel is actually an oval, about 3/8th inch out-of-round, but it posed no issues and may improve knee space. The ergonomics are excellent. The days of the long-armed, short legged Italian driving position are long gone. The pedals are perfectly positioned for heel-and-toe downshifting and left-foot braking for you racers. The seat side bolsters and cockpit knee side support really work in spirited driving. I liked the left foot rest. The instrument cluster takes some getting used to. In attempting to replicate the old “Cinquecento,” the insistence on a single binnacle with all modern “requirements” fits far too much information into quite a small space. In 1958, we didn’t insist on a compass, radio song titles, or even a tachometer, it was just a speedo. As the tachometer is barely readable at speed, racers may want an aftermarket remote one, but perhaps the later Abarth version will be different.

She said: Who cares about the crowded binnacle, as a passenger, I just don’t want to have to crane my neck and look through the steering wheel to see whether it’s AC/DC or White Snake on the radio! (And the driver SHOULD be worrying about more important things, right?!) Seat belts are comfortable, non-encumbering and easy to get in and out of. Seats are really comfortable. There is a man-made, leathery fabric on both front seats and side panels that is to die for. It is soft, smooth and luxurious. It asks to be touched! Between this and the seat design, the 500 would probably be a great car for road trips. The field of vision from the 500 has only been enjoyed elsewhere by fish from a bowl. Aside from the A-pillars, which seemed to disappear through some kind of trick with smoke and mirrors, the view of the road from the front seats is 180 degrees. Other than riding in a cable car, I’ve rarely had such vistas during transport.

Drivetrain:
He said: The power-to-weight ratio of this street-fighter will meet or exceed your expectations. There is ample torque as well, unlike the under 2-liter FIATs of old. The soon-to-arrive Abarth hyper version may be over-the-top for most Yanks.

She said: This car shifts easily and cleanly. Shifting into first from neutral takes a bit more persistence than between the other gears, but this quickly become second nature. I was amazed by how easily this car slid from standstill to movement with little know-how needed on clutching. A good standard car to learn on.

Brakes:
He said: Today’s moderate temperature and dry pavement are unusual for Wisconsin in February. We couldn’t perform our usual necessary winter driving maneuvers. However, brake assist and proportioning were excellent, and no fade was noted after several “laps” of our city park’s 1.2 mile road course, featuring 2 long “S” sections and three tight turns, uh, with 2 stop signs right in the apexes. There was no switch to shut off the ABS. Sorry Northern ice racers.

She said: The 500 was effective at stopping on a dime–also at every enoteca that it happened to pass. I felt confident in my ability to slow and stop it–very responsive.

Handling and Perfomance:
He said: The tight turning circle is unusual for a transverse front-driver. For a Sport model, bump isolation was very good, smoother than several other “hot hatches.” Engaging the large “Sport” button on the dash reduces steering assist and sharpens throttle pedal response. This is about a 15% seat-of the-pants deal…somehow it seems to stiffen the ride. In this mode, left-right transient response and steering turn-in seem crisper. The ESP is very liberal, and never fought back against aggressive driving but you can disable it for motorsports! “Sport” is your track day setting. Of course the ride feels compromised…you don’t care as now it’s just too much fun! Under-steer is typical, but controllable with the usual racing techniques. I’m glad this car isn’t in my autocross class next year. Amateur racers take notice now.

She said: Steering was responsive and true. Steering wheel placement was adjustable, thus I could both see over the wheel and didn’t have to grasp it straight armed in order to drive. “Transient response”? Isn’t this the great program that we support to help the homeless?

He said: Gas mileage OK at maybe 40mpg, 1.4 liter seemed a bit performance-oriented for huge mpg. Really Italian boy racer! Fast enough…slower than my Mark IV GTI 1.8 turbo…0-60 in well under 10 sec.

She said: Not happy with mpg, wouldn’t it be better with 60 bhp, and 50 mpg? Why don’t they send over the diesel?

Climate Control:
He said: Ten years ago I rented a FIAT in Italy. I was shocked at the awesome heating and air conditioning! The manual HVAC system in the 500 again confirms that this manufacturer has the answer.

She said: It may have been a warm day in Wisconsin in February, but it was still cold! The car warmed quickly and held the temperature well. There was no “too hot” followed by “too cold.” We knew this soon after we warmed up, as my husband thento check the AC! All reliable.

Clever Details:
He said: FIAT has often invented simple, functional design solutions. Elegant 3-way dash vents, simple cable actuation for clutches, and the first timing belt engines are just a few. The 500 features simple blind spot eliminating mirrors and the simplest solution for inside door locks.

Of course, the bodywork emulates the lovely classic 500 (Cinquecento). I grinned at the Abarth style stinger tailpipe tip, the neo-classic 500 graphic displayed (even inside the composite headlamp) and the new retro-named Pirelli Cinturato tires. And how about custom colored keys…make mine “tricolore, per favore.”

She said: OK, so here goes the cup holder test, and let’s face it, Americans do love to drink and drive! (Non-alcoholic beverages only of course…) So, this sweet 500 will hold two 12 oz. cans/16 oz. bottles in the back cup holders and three in the front. Should you be ridiculously thirsty, as I often am, the front holder will hold one 44 oz. cup. As for 7-11’s 64 oz. Double Gulp, the 500 has not yet taken out a passenger seat in order to accommodate it. The radio is easy to use and wonderful to listen to (six Bose speakers). I especially enjoyed the easy mute button. As someone who has left her gas cap everywhere from on top of her car to on top of the gas pump to next to the 7-11 Double Gulp dispenser, I really appreciate the tether that connects the gas cap to its owner. Grazie!

Conclusion:
He said: The 500 Sport is a serious guy’s car. Fernando Alonso could be seen in one. Sure I like the Mini Cooper S, but it’s expensive, and a bit of Austin Powers, isn’t it? The 500 is a game changer. It’s a superbly designed internationally sized-automobile. It’s a North American car, with no “charming old world” Communist labor strikes and questionable parts suppliers. Parts and service are directly supported daily through the MOPAR network. The dealership also exuded enthusiastic hope that the 500 is just the beginning…a new ALFA-Romeo anyone?

She said: Yes, what he said! Except that it’s no guys’ car…! I loved it too. As an affectionado of Italian design, European engineering, great, fun cars and 44 oz. fountain drinks, I loved the FIAT 500. Just as Michelangelo labored to sculpt to the Golden Ratio, FIAT was also concerned with the art inherent in mathematics. Many touches reflect this concern, one of the coolest being the 500’s chromed “hook” door handles–positioned exactly half way between its roof top and the ground. Sign me/us up, and Benvenuto FIAT 500!

Unison: We’d both buy it, and we will! But which model? Lizzie, maybe a POP; John may wait for the ABARTH.