When I first saw the Fiat 500, I imagined Pope Benedict standing over it with raised arms, blessing this nostalgic transport. It's a bizarre image, I admit, but this gumdrop-shaped car has so much novelty appeal that it must spread joy and happiness wherever it goes.
In the area I gew up in, there lived a handful of Italian families. Every weekday afternoon, as I traipsed my way home from school, an old Italian woman that lived in the neighbourhood would pass me on the road in her Fiat 500, giving a little wave as she did so. A perfect image of the spirit of ingenuity and frugality expressed by Fiat designers at the time.
Nowadays, granny would likely not be able to afford a Fiat 500; and I wonder if she would approve of its modernisation.
NOVELTY VALUE ONLY
The 500's cute-as-a-puppy appeal quickly wore off after I discovered the test model was essentially a Fiat Panda 100 in a different guise. The engine and transmission are straight off the Panda, as are the most of the cabin fittings and finishes.
The entire vehicle is a celebration of plastic. Close inspection reveals that all those chrome bits are in fact moulded. The fascia inlay has a hollow thud when rapped with the back of a hand and the door panels feel very lightweight.
Perhaps there is a sound design or engineering reason behind this but it leaves the 500 teetering between being an image of a modern redesign and a cheaply constructed novelty.
PANDA POWER
On the upside, having the Panda as a foundation provides the 500 with some notable features. It is surprisingly spacious, given its small outward appearance. The second row will seat three tweenies or two adults in comfort.
The layout of controls and switches makes them all easy to read in a glance, though it takes some adjusting to the fact that the switches for the windows are on either side of the gear lever. Speedometer, rev counter, gauges and trip data are all in one circular pod, marked by appropriate retro styling.
Getting a grip on the seatbelt from the front row requires much contortion and twisting. It's always five centimetres away from where you expect it to be.
LET DOWN
Like the Panda 100, the 1.4-litre version of the 500 has a sport button prominently displayed. Pressing the button, however, does not provoke the same response. The Panda is like a rocket-powered sled on rails; the 500 is an old nag that requires much whipping. You have to make it work hard to earn its keep.
The Pope will be pleased. Last year he asked people to pray for safe driving around the world. And it's going to be difficult to be tempted to speed execessively or drive wildly in this number.
Because of its relatively short wheelbase, speed bumps are not the Fiat's friend. Tackle a mound of raised tar at any speed above walking pace and the vehicle bucks like a rodeo bull, accompanied by jarring thuds as the suspension reaches the end of its travel.
CRISP BRAKING
At least the handling is solid and the brakes incredibly sharp. A firm tap on the pedal will rapidly scrub off speed while the 500 remains firmly planted on the tar in a straight line.
Try as I may, I couldn't get myself worked up about this number. It's cute, fun and would make a great urban runabout or second family car - but the features and performance don't seem to justify the price tag.
Prices
Fiat 500 1.2 Pop - R150 500
Fiat 500 1.4 16v Sport - R180 800
Fiat 500 1.4 16v Lounge - R180 800