It was inevitable that once Fiat 500c 2012 (Sports Car) assumed control of Chrysler, we'd see Fiat products back in the U.S. market sooner or later.It turned out to be sooner, as the tiny Fiat 500c 2012 (Sports Car) showed up early this year not at Chrysler dealers, but at dedicated Fiat dealers -- some of which also happen to sell Chryslers. To get a Fiat franchise, dealers had to agree to open a separate showroom for the Fiat, with a dedicated sales staff. Most Fiat dealers are doing that now, and the others must eventually. (By the way, Fiat dealerships are called "studios," which seems a bit precious.)
Fiat was requiring dealers to make a substantial investment not so much for the opportunity to sell the Fiat 500c 2012 (Sports Car), but to sell future Fiat products that will arrive in the next decade or so. Rust, electrical problems and traditionally complicated Italian mechanicals earned Fiat the unfortunate "Fix It Again, Tony" nickname.
What would Fiat stand for this time around?
Essentially following in the Mini's footsteps in the U.S., Fiat is hoping the 500 will capture younger buyers looking for something fun and frugal.
2012 Fiat 500C
Base price: $19,500
Price as tested: $26,050
Engine: 1.4-liter, 101-horsepower four-cylinder
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Length: 139.6 inches
Wheelbase: 90.6 inches
TESTED 2012 Fiat 500C
1.4-liter MultiAir in-line 4-cylinder (101 horsepower, 98 pound-feet of peak torque) with a 5-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive.
ALTERNATIVES? Mini Cooper convertible, $25,550; Smart Fortwo Cabrio, $18,440.
The brown car in question was the 2012 Fiat 500C, finished in an Espresso paint job with Marrone leather seats that looked as comfortable as a well-worn catcher’s mitt.
The 500C is the drop-top version of the 500 hatchback, a small and exceptionally cute car that’s big on style and economy, though rather short on rear legroom.
Acceleration is leisurely. After spending time with both the manual and automatic gearboxes, I’d counter the conventional wisdom and recommend the automatic. The magic stops momentarily at what Fiat refers to as the “spoiler” position, where the glass rear window stays upright. Rear visibility suffers when you roll back the roof, because the retracted top takes up much of the space where the rear window had been. All 500Cs come with antilock brakes, electronic stability control, traction control and enough air bags (seven altogether) to turn the Fiat into a four-wheel flotation device.
Fiat returns to U.S. with city-friendly models
I have been anxiously anticipating the opportunity to get behind the wheel of the Fiat 500c 2012 (Sports Car) and 500c models that usher in Fiat’s return to North America.
The front-wheel drive, four-passenger subcompact is ideally suited for city driving. When equipped with the six-speed automatic, it has an EPA of 27 mpg city, 32 mpg highway.
While almost all of my driving this week was conducted in city driving conditions, I had no trouble at all on the highway — or cruising at highway speeds.
The new Fiat 500 and 500c Cabrio are worth a test drive.
MODEL:
2012 Fiat 500 and 500c
4-seat subcompact coupe and convertible
Front-wheel drive
Trim packages:
Pop, Lounge
PRICE RANGE:
$15,500 (coupe base) - $19,500 (Cabrio base)
ENGINE:
1.4-L I-4 (101 hp/98 torque)
TRANSMISSION:
5-speed manual
6-speed auto
EPA: 30/27 mpg city, 38/32 mpg highway (MT/AT)
FUEL: Regular unleaded (premium recommended)
TRACTION CONTROL:
Traction control with electronic stability control program
BRAKES: ABS
LENGTH: 139.6 inches
WHEELBASE: 90.6 inches
WIDTH: 64.1 inches
HEIGHT: 59.8 inches
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