Fiat 500 C 2015 Review

Granted, it doesn't have the swagger of some of its more exotic compatriots. But it does have an elegantly simple roof system comprising a heavy-duty cloth roof that opens and closes like the world's biggest moon roof at the touch of a button.

Lump in the Fiat 500 C's cute design and ambitious Italian charm, and you've got a car whose sense of fun is irresistible.

Priced at $20,000 (plus ORCs) it's also an affordable way to get that wind-in-your-hair feeling.

Unlike most convertibles the Fiat 500 C retains its door/window frames when the roof is down (see images) but this does little to take away from the sense of escape it delivers. You still get the smells and the sensations of open air driving.

At 100km/h the compact car provides good wind protection but when fully retracted it blocks about 70 per cent of rearward vision. Nevertheless, it can be operated while driving and can opened just a smidgen, or all the way, alleviating the rearward vision issue somewhat.

Despite being one of Australia's least powerful cars, producing just 51kW at 5500rpm and 102Nm at 3000rpm, the Fiat 500 C Pop is still entertaining to drive.

The tiny 1.2-litre four-cylinder engine is paired with an automated manual gearbox, so it works just like a regular automatic, shifting gears by itself. But there's a twist… It's essentially a manual transmission operated by a robot; a somewhat lackadaisical robot. The result is a moment or two between gear shifts as it operates a single clutch, as opposed to more advanced dual-clutch units like Volkswagen's rapid-fire DSG.

The result, while admittedly frustrating at times, gives the car character. And that's something few vehicles these days can claim.

Most car makers don’t offer this sort of gearbox anymore due to the low levels of refinement and tardy response. But the old-school robotised manual somehow suits the car, generating the sort of persona that passengers might comment on (albeit not always positively).

Nevertheless, I learned to work with the car and after a few days appreciated its quirks – and the fact it actually required some thought to ensure smooth changes – a subtle pre-emptive lift off the accelerator pedal seemed to help.

If the gearbox is at its best when cruising along quiet country roads at 90km/h, it's at its worst in slow traffic. Low speed crawling at under 10km/h is staccato. In traffic snarls the 500 C's gear selection is juddery and inconsistent.

Despite the idiosyncratic gear shifts and meagre power output, the 500 C accelerates promptly to 60km/h, due to its light 945kg kerb weight, but takes an insipid 12.9 seconds to reach 100km/h.

It's fine on flat stretches of road but does struggle up hills, particularly at slow speeds, ascending underground car park ramps and such, where downshifting exacerbates the issue because of the lag between changes.

Other criticisms of the 500 C include the roof seal – it's not perfect. There's some noise intrusion from 60km/h, as if a rear window has been cracked open a whisker. Front seat occupants also need the flexibility of a Chinese gymnast to seize their seatbelt such is its positioning, and rear seat space is very cramped.

The boot is, um, very small. There's no reach nor height adjustment on the steering wheel and driver's seat respectively, so if you don’t like the seating position, bad luck! In its defence I had no dramas with the setup.

But for all the car's drawbacks there's many commendations. Measuring 3546mm long the 500 C can be parked inside a milk crate (in Europe they can be seen two per car space), it steers well and offers the driver a good view of the road ahead. The interior design is fashionable and many elements stand out, especially the bold instrument panel.

It's ultra-efficient too, using a claimed 5.0L/100km on the combined cycle. I managed 6.2, but that's still pretty thrifty in my book – particularly as the accelerator pedal spent a lot of time nailed to the floor.

And one of my favourite features is holding the unlock button on the key fob for five seconds, which opens the roof remotely. Brilliant on a hot day as you approach the car after work, or if you just want to be a show pony. There are loads of showy colours too. Do you opt for the pastel, solid or metallic hues, Beige Cappuccino, Mint Milkshake or Diva Pink? Either way it'll cost you an extra $500.

The cut-price drop-top Bambino is compromised in a number of ways, but is so ludicrously cute and fun to drive it's easy to overlook them. It's the kind of car you could easily live with for a year or two and then likely miss once sold.

And if the lack of power on this entry-level convertible is an issue, there are two more powerful models, costing only a few grand more.

Although it doesn't have a conventional convertible roof system, interior space is compromised, the gearbox is unpredictable and its appearance will repel as many as it attracts, the 500 C has character – something many of the most memorable Italian convertibles possess. Just don't mention that it's made in Poland…

Also consider:
>> Citroen DS 3 cabrio (from $30,990 plus ORCs)
>> smart fortwo cabrio (from $20,990 drive-away)