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Fiat's cut-price cabrio hits SA

<b>VALUE CAB: </b>Fiat's 500C 1.2 is a stylish boost to the mini-cabriolet club.
<b>VALUE CAB: </b>Fiat's 500C 1.2 is a stylish boost to the mini-cabriolet club.
Fiat has released South Africa’s “most affordable cabriolet” - the Fiat 500C 1.2 with a price well below the crucial R200 000.

The retro 500 has a 1.2-litre engine producing 51kW at 5500rpm and 102Nm at 3000rpm, so there probably won’t be too much wind in your hair, although you will be doing your bit for the environment – the engine produces only 119g/km of CO2 emissions.

It’s frugal, too, with the runabout averaging 6.4 litres/100km in the city, Fiat says.

Despite its diminutive stature and puny engine, the 500C delivers a sucker punch in the safety stakes.  It comes standard with seven airbags and anti-lock brakes.

LOOKING GOOD


Convenience features include power-assisted steering, power windows, aircon, daytime running lights and Fiat’s Blue&Me hands-free system with voice recognition, remote audio controls and a USB socket.

Fiat 500C 1.2

NOT LACKING: This 500C's price does not translate to a bargain ride.

This 500C looks the part, too, with its 15” alloy rims and chromed exterior trim although, as with the rest of the 500 range, a number of options are available to personalise the little drop-top. 

The main attraction, of course, is its fully-auto canvas roof that can be operated by a button in the headlining or the key fob. To reduce turbulence in the cabin to a minimum there's an optional wind deflector for attachment behind the rear head restraints (though why such an obvious necessity comes as an option is a puzzle - optional steering-wheel next?).

The cabriolet is sold with a three-year or 100 000km warranty and a five-year or 90 000km service plan, as well as roadside assistance for 12 months.

Fiat’s 1.2 500C costs R175 000. Plus the wind deflector...
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