Luca De Meo, the youthful Fiat brand boss, admits the success of BMW’s revisionist Mini did influence some of the reborn 500’s traits. Like the Mini, the 500 is ripe for customizing. There are 11 exterior colors, seven trim levels, 19 decal packs, and more than 100 accessories available at launch. And like the Mini, there will be a family of 500s, including a convertible and a wagon.

There is a big difference between the price of the Fiat and a Mini Cooper. Fiat 500 prices in Europe start at about $16,000. If that seems high, blame the weak dollar; this price point is about $6000 less than what the cheapest Mini costs in Europe. And although its German owners are content for the Mini to be a stand-alone brand, the 500 is actually Fiat’s halo car, albeit its smallest model, but one that sells for a premium and will likely enhance Fiat’s reputation. You could call it bottom-up marketing.

Riding atop the Panda’s front-drive platform, the 500 handles well. With a lower center of gravity than the Panda and a wider stance, the 1.4-liter 500 feels better than the equivalent Panda. It is an entertaining drive, with enough power to spin its front wheels, a slick six-speed gearbox that does a good job of compensating for the engine’s lack of torque, and a sport button that increases the effort of the electric power steering while increasing throttle sensitivity. The seating position is a bit too high and the interior trim doesn’t feel quite as good as it looks, but the designers deserve credit for the new-old style of the single instrument, which houses a speedometer and tachometer in concentric circles and has an electronic display at the center.

It is a bit ironic that this very Italian car is built in Poland. But it’s built alongside its platform mate, the Panda. Could this be the car that brings Fiat back to America? De Meo isn’t ruling out that possibility. An upcoming turbocharged version with 135 horsepower will be sold under the Abarth name (known for high-performance Fiats), and that most powerful of 500s is being considered for the U.S. as the next stage after the reintroduction of Alfa Romeo to the U.S., which is expected in the next two years.

VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, front-wheel-drive, 4-passenger, 3-door hatchback

ESTIMATED BASE PRICE (Italy): $16,000

ENGINES: SOHC 8-valve 1.2-liter inline-4, 59 hp, 75 lb-ft; turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve 1.3-liter diesel inline-4, 68 hp, 107 lb-ft; DOHC 16-valve 1.4-liter inline-4, 94 hp, 94 lb-ft

TRANSMISSIONS: 5-speed manual, 6-speed manual

DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 90.6 in Length: 139.8 in Width: 65.0 in Height: 58.7 in
Curb weight: 2150 lb

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