Fiat 500 C order book opens

Fiat is already taking orders from Australian motorists who are interested in the new drop-top Bambino, scheduled to arrive here in time for summer.

Like the tin-top before it, the Fiat 500 C is expected to be a sell out success before the cars even begin to roll off the container ship.

Based on the Fiat 500 hatch and equipped with a cloth folding roof, the new 500 C is priced from $28,990 for the manual version and $30,990 for the self shifting DuaLogic model (excluding statutory and delivery costs).

The 500 C drives via a 1.4-litre four-cylinder engine outputting 74kW/130Nm and is available with manual and automatic transmissions. Using just 6.3L/100km it's also a rather frugal engine.

"The interest in the open top Fiat 500 C has already proven as strong as it has been for the normal Fiat 500," claimed Andrei Zaitzev, General Manager for Fiat in Australia.

"So we have opened up the order books now, so everyone who wants to be seen in the chicest car this summer can be ready to take their top off the moment summer arrives!"

The iconic Fiat 500C keeps the roofline of the original -- in fact it retains the coupe's dimensions to the last millimetre -- but instead of fixed sheet metal, the roof is an electrically controlled sliding cloth mechanism which includes a glass rear window.

Fiat claims the system makes the 500 C "less of a seasonal product and one that can be enjoyed the whole year round" but we'll save our verdict until we independently road test the car.

"The 500C has been the car to be seen in during the European summer this year and the demand, like that for its solid-roof cousin, has run well ahead of supply," explained Mr Zaitzev.

"With limited numbers coming to Australia and existing pent-up interest, we expect demand to run ahead of supply here, too," added Zaitzev.

What does the car offer? Standard features include a chrome kit with shiny finishes inside and out, automatic climate control, an electronic stability program, parking sensors, 16-inch alloy wheels and fog lights.

The innovative Blue&Me telematics system is also included, incorporating a function called eco:Drive that teaches owners to drive more economically.

Safety gear is very strong for such a small car -- it measures just 3.55 metres long -- including seven airbags, ABS, EBD, ASR and a hill-holder system as standard. Boot space is minimal at 182 litres, yet compares well with the standard Fiat 500's 185 litre boot.

Read the latest Carsales Network news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at www.carsales.mobi.