Price hikes for updated Fiat 500
Another Fiat 500 upgrade brings 1800-plus changes, but sporty 500S and TwinAir engine are gone and base Pop pricing rises $2000Australian pricing for the updated Series Four Fiat 500 range has been revealed… without the efficient TwinAir on the driveline list.
The streamlined 2016 model line-up also loses the mid-range 500 S sports variant, leaving only the entry-spec Pop and up-spec Lounge among the trim offerings.
Commencing from $18,000 plus on-road costs, the entry-spec three-door five-speed manual Pop hikes some $2000 from its predecessor. Opt for the five-speed automated manual and the price grows to $19,500.
The Series Three Pop retailed for $16,000 in manual form or $17,500 for the auto. For reference, the current Pop manual is currently available in run-out for $15,500 drive away.
Both remain powered by the aspirated 1.2-litre four-cylinder, generating 51kW/102Nm. Fuel consumption for the manual is stated as 4.9L/100km, the auto undercutting that at 4.8L/100km. These represent 0.2L/100km improvements, thanks to the adoption of idle-stop tech and other efficiency measures.
Neither figure is close to the claimed 3.9L/100km achieved by the outgoing 0.9-litre TwinAir engine, as found in Series Three Lounge variants.
The six-speed manual variant starts from $21,000 plus on-roads while the five-speed automated manual scores a $1500 premium, to retail at $22,500. That’s a premium of $500 over the previous TwinAir-powered 500 Lounge.
Lounge now ups the ante to a 1.4-litre four-pot that produces 74kW/131Nm, the same engine seen in the outgoing 500 S.
It sips 6.1L/100km on the combined cycle as a manual, dipping to 5.8L/100km in the two-pedal variant. Like the 1.2 Pop, the availability of an idle-stop system aids efficiency.
If you’re up for an open-air experience, the drop-top 500 C also makes a return. Again available in Pop and Lounge specifications with the same driveline options, the convertible carries a $4000 premium over hatchback equivalents.
Fiat has said the new 500 incorporates over 1800 changes. All models gain new exterior and interior styling and feature LED DRLs. Seven airbags, six-speaker audio with Uconnect infotainment, AUX-IN/USB ports and multi-function wheel are standards across the range. A 7.0-inch TFT screen and xenon headlights will also be available.
Sales of the Fiat 500 Series Three stalled in 2015, Fiat selling 2158 units compared to 2995 the previous year -- down 28 per cent.
More specification details will be announced at the local launch of the latest Fiat 500 in Melbourne later this week.
2016 Fiat 500 pricing (plus ORCs):
Pop Hatchback 1.2 manual -- $18,000
Pop Hatchback 1.2 Dualogic -- $19,500
Pop Convertible 1.2 manual -- $22,000
Pop Convertible 1.2 Dualogic -- $23,500
Lounge Hatchback 1.4 manual -- $21,000
Lounge Hatchback 1.4 Dualogic -- $22,500
Lounge Convertible 1.4 manual -- $25,000
Lounge Convertible 1.4 Dualogic -- $26,500
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