Fast Facts

Verdict:
A cleverly thought out package that brings a classic bang up to date

Well-packaged interior space, cute looks, almost infinitely customisable

Steering lacks feel, a little too much hard plastics used inside the car

The new Fiat 500 packs plenty into a tiny package

By Lionel Kong and Justin Lee

THREE CARS THAT will forever go down in history as the ones that motorised much of the world are the original Mini, Volkswagen Beetle and the Fiat 500. They were cheap to buy, easy to maintain, and due to their simplicity lasted a very long time. All but the Fiat had a retro revival in the last decade, and while the world watched, Fiat went about redesigning its classic compact car and waited for the right time to re-introduce its legendary 500.

The new 500 first showed its face last year, when it was released in Europe in time for the original car’s 50th anniversary. It met with overwhelming demand as the older customers remembered the original with fond memories and the younger customers were drawn to the car’s cute looks.

It now arrives on our shores, and can be bought with either a 1.2 or 1.4-litre engine. The engine is now mounted in front rather than the rear of the original design. The car’s styling is undeniably cute, and even though there are no rear doors the backseats are easily accessible thanks to the car’s compact size. It drew stares wherever we went, not surprisingly with Mini drivers sizing us up the most.