And on July 4, 2007, exactly 50 years later, again in Turin, Fiat will present the new Fiat 500 which will be marketed immediately after the launch.
Developed by the Fiat Style Centre and manufactured in the plant in Tychy (Poland), the new 500 is a 3-door model with very compact measurements: it is 355cm long, 165cm wide, 149cm tall and has a wheelbase of 230 cm.
There are three engine available - a 54kW 1.3-litre turbodiesel unit and two petrol engines, the 50kW 1.2-litre and the 73kW 1.4-litre. Transmission choices include five- or six-speed gearboxes.
The 500 is expected to make its South African debut in the first half of 2008.