Open-Top Fiat 500 C Headed for Geneva

Fiat 500 Cabrio

Convertible version of adorable Fiat 500 is on the way

By Christopher Jackson
January 15, 2009 7:46 PM
Filed Under: European, Fiat, Rumours

As if the cuteness factor of Europe's highways hadn't been boosted enough by the new Fiat 500, an open-topped version is just around the corner. Fiat plans to introduce the cabriolet, named the 500 C, at the Geneva Motor Show this March.

Fiat says that the transition from closed coupe to convertible has been accomplished without much sacrifice in interior room (such as it is). The 500 C has four seats; most of the space for packing the canvas top has come from the trunk. Although our sources say that the 500 C's door frames have been kept intact, in the style of classic Fiat micro-convertibles and the prototypes that have been spied suggest that this is the case, one of our photos seems to show a full convertible version with frameless doors.

The powertrain choices are more certain. Fiat insiders say it'll have the same 1.2 liter and 1.4 liter gasoline engines as the coupe, though the diesel is not as likely. A stop-start system which shuts off the engine when the car is idling for extended periods and provides an 8% overall economy boost is new on the 500 C. The stop-start system will expand to the coupe in the spring, and is expected to turn up on other Fiat models going forward. A tuned Abarth version of the 500 C is also expected.

The 500 C will be on sale shortly after its introduction, just in time for summer. Pricing hasn't been released yet.

 

Source: 4car

Comments

Bristol411S3
January 15, 2009 7:51 PM
This looks like a full length sun roof in teh style of the 2CV and C3 Pluriel, rather than a full convertible. Surely the fully chopped version is just a Photoshoppers fantasy?

jandrews90
January 15, 2009 8:12 PM
"One of our photos seems to show a full convertible version with frameless doors" Can you guys maybe put that picture up? lol None of these pictures look like that, they all cleary have full B and C pillars.

BrianWCF
January 15, 2009 11:14 PM
Hmmm, it's the top page photo. You can't miss it...

jandrews90
January 16, 2009 4:28 AM
haha, not that one :P thats obviously not a spy shot it's just computer generated

joey
January 15, 2009 10:15 PM
http://autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/Fiat-500/236956/

Has a rendering and spy pics of 500 C

eric_92
January 15, 2009 10:56 PM
this thing will be a totla hit! very good idea fiat

GONDOR
January 16, 2009 12:12 AM
so whats next for the 500

500 GTR joined the DTM ??

enough versions fiat you Spoiled the little car

Cyx
January 16, 2009 12:47 PM
What a lovely car!!!

joelynn
January 16, 2009 3:07 PM
a model with a roll-back roof is traditional, a full convertible would be fun though. I dont see how there are too many versions of the 500- at the moment there's only 1 body style compared to MINIs 3.

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