Oldest Nameplates still in production part III: Fiat 500
This article is a followup to
http://boyracer.blogspot.in/2013/01/oldest-nameplates-still-in-production.html
and
http://boyracer.blogspot.in/2013/02/oldest-nameplates-still-in-production.html
When Germany was busy building large cars along with Ford in US post world War II, Italy started building small cars albeit with style essences only the Italians or French can enthuse in a car. The 500 or the Cinquecento as it is often called has been a runaway success for the company.
First Generation (1936-1955)
Fiat began production of the Fiat 500 'Topolino' in 1936 and was the smallest car in the world at the time. Equipped with a 569 cc four-cylinder, side-valve, water-cooled engine, the car redefined the word small in the car industry. The car was sold in two door coupe, two door cabriolet and 3-door stationa wagon versions of which 525000 copies were sold.
Second Generation ( 1955-1975)
After the success of Fiat 500 Topolino. Fiat 600 was launched by Fiat in 1955. A bigger engine in a small car made it a success and it sold 5 million copies. Also along with making a bigger car, Fiat found space to build an even smaller car for the shrinking city streets and in 1957, Fiat 500 was born again launched as 500 Nuova. This car went on to give Fiat a name on the world stage along with carmakers like Chevrolet Ford, Opel and Toyota.
Considered as the first of the city cars, Fiat 500 measured only 9feet and 9inches and was powered by a 500cc engine (hence the name). The twin cylinder engine was good for 13bhp upto 17bhp for some models. some of the versions also came with suicide doors.All cars had engine in the rear.
Third Generation (1972-2000)
The third generation Fiat 500 was named Fiat 126. It was mostly an amalgamation of Fiat 500 and Fiat 600 platforms. The design had a radical change from the Previous Fiat 500 with Squarish and angular designs replacing Rounded forms. Ironically the better and more powerful cars never touched the record sales units of the previous Fiat 500. The car had many nicknames such as Maluch, maly, duzy, KasZlak, cougher, kikirez, peglica,bolha, pici-poki, kalimero, kispolzski, nagypolzski, Kispolak, torpe-polyak, egerkamion, bambino, polaquito and bototo.
The name 500 was replaced as the car had different engine options bigger than 500. The rear engine rear drive layout was continued as this was technically the same car underneath.
Fourth Generation (1991-1998)
Even the 20 odd nicknames and futuristic design didn't work. This led to Fiat's management quitting the 126 moniker and Reinvented the 500 as Cinquecento. Designed by GiuGiaro, The Cinquecento replaced the Fiat 126 officially. While the car was named Cinquecento (500 in Italian), the lowest engine was a 700cc going upto 1100cc. The car was now a Front engine Front wheel drive layout but retaining the 3 door layout.
THe CinqueCento also had an electric version named the Elettra. This was also the first of the 5 series generations to have Abarth Performance versions.
Fifth Generation Fiat Nuovo 500 (2007- Present)
The current generation Fiat Nuovo 500 was launched. The car has grown in size over the years and now the car has grown 116 inches to 140 inches. Fiat went all out for this latest car which was to be a make or break model for the company. The car was displayed in major squares of 30 cities. Fiat also turned up with a creative way of selling the car by offering 250,000 options for customization including more than 200 colour options. Also for the first time the car sported a 1.3L diesel alongwith a 1.4L petrol engine.
The company rolled out a millionth model within a span of five years proving to be a success for Fiat. Cashing in on the success of the model, Fiat went ahead with the launch of Abarth version (133bhp), Essesse (160bhp), Abarth opening edition ( 133bhp), Assetto Corse (200bhp), Start and Stop ( 120bhp), PUR-02 (120bhp), By Diesel (fashion Brand) (75hp/120hp), Aria (75bhp), ferrari edition (100bhp), felippe massa edition (120bhp), Barbie ( 120bhp), Tributo ferrari (180bhp), Speedgray( 165bhp), Pink (120bhp), Blackjack (120bhp), Gucci edition (100bhp), 500 first edition (101 bhp), Cabrio Italia (180bhp), 500 America ( 100bhp), tributo maserati ( 180bhp), Competizone ( 135bhp), and many other special editions.
An electric version named Micro Vett was also launched. with a 120kms range.
Sixth Generation (2012- present)
Having finally learnt its lesson, FIAT has decided to use the 500 name for a bigger size MPV naming it 500 L (L stands for Large). The car has been designed to sell in 100 countries. The engine options are a 0.9L, 1.4L (Chrysler), 1.3L D(India),and 1.6L D. THe car is a Front engine front wheel drive.
This is also the first platform built on the joint Fiat-GM small car platform.
http://boyracer.blogspot.in/2013/01/oldest-nameplates-still-in-production.html
and
http://boyracer.blogspot.in/2013/02/oldest-nameplates-still-in-production.html
When Germany was busy building large cars along with Ford in US post world War II, Italy started building small cars albeit with style essences only the Italians or French can enthuse in a car. The 500 or the Cinquecento as it is often called has been a runaway success for the company.
First Generation (1936-1955)
Fiat began production of the Fiat 500 'Topolino' in 1936 and was the smallest car in the world at the time. Equipped with a 569 cc four-cylinder, side-valve, water-cooled engine, the car redefined the word small in the car industry. The car was sold in two door coupe, two door cabriolet and 3-door stationa wagon versions of which 525000 copies were sold.
Second Generation ( 1955-1975)
After the success of Fiat 500 Topolino. Fiat 600 was launched by Fiat in 1955. A bigger engine in a small car made it a success and it sold 5 million copies. Also along with making a bigger car, Fiat found space to build an even smaller car for the shrinking city streets and in 1957, Fiat 500 was born again launched as 500 Nuova. This car went on to give Fiat a name on the world stage along with carmakers like Chevrolet Ford, Opel and Toyota.
Considered as the first of the city cars, Fiat 500 measured only 9feet and 9inches and was powered by a 500cc engine (hence the name). The twin cylinder engine was good for 13bhp upto 17bhp for some models. some of the versions also came with suicide doors.All cars had engine in the rear.
Third Generation (1972-2000)
The third generation Fiat 500 was named Fiat 126. It was mostly an amalgamation of Fiat 500 and Fiat 600 platforms. The design had a radical change from the Previous Fiat 500 with Squarish and angular designs replacing Rounded forms. Ironically the better and more powerful cars never touched the record sales units of the previous Fiat 500. The car had many nicknames such as Maluch, maly, duzy, KasZlak, cougher, kikirez, peglica,bolha, pici-poki, kalimero, kispolzski, nagypolzski, Kispolak, torpe-polyak, egerkamion, bambino, polaquito and bototo.
The name 500 was replaced as the car had different engine options bigger than 500. The rear engine rear drive layout was continued as this was technically the same car underneath.
Fourth Generation (1991-1998)
Even the 20 odd nicknames and futuristic design didn't work. This led to Fiat's management quitting the 126 moniker and Reinvented the 500 as Cinquecento. Designed by GiuGiaro, The Cinquecento replaced the Fiat 126 officially. While the car was named Cinquecento (500 in Italian), the lowest engine was a 700cc going upto 1100cc. The car was now a Front engine Front wheel drive layout but retaining the 3 door layout.
THe CinqueCento also had an electric version named the Elettra. This was also the first of the 5 series generations to have Abarth Performance versions.
Fifth Generation Fiat Nuovo 500 (2007- Present)
The current generation Fiat Nuovo 500 was launched. The car has grown in size over the years and now the car has grown 116 inches to 140 inches. Fiat went all out for this latest car which was to be a make or break model for the company. The car was displayed in major squares of 30 cities. Fiat also turned up with a creative way of selling the car by offering 250,000 options for customization including more than 200 colour options. Also for the first time the car sported a 1.3L diesel alongwith a 1.4L petrol engine.
The company rolled out a millionth model within a span of five years proving to be a success for Fiat. Cashing in on the success of the model, Fiat went ahead with the launch of Abarth version (133bhp), Essesse (160bhp), Abarth opening edition ( 133bhp), Assetto Corse (200bhp), Start and Stop ( 120bhp), PUR-02 (120bhp), By Diesel (fashion Brand) (75hp/120hp), Aria (75bhp), ferrari edition (100bhp), felippe massa edition (120bhp), Barbie ( 120bhp), Tributo ferrari (180bhp), Speedgray( 165bhp), Pink (120bhp), Blackjack (120bhp), Gucci edition (100bhp), 500 first edition (101 bhp), Cabrio Italia (180bhp), 500 America ( 100bhp), tributo maserati ( 180bhp), Competizone ( 135bhp), and many other special editions.
An electric version named Micro Vett was also launched. with a 120kms range.
Sixth Generation (2012- present)
Having finally learnt its lesson, FIAT has decided to use the 500 name for a bigger size MPV naming it 500 L (L stands for Large). The car has been designed to sell in 100 countries. The engine options are a 0.9L, 1.4L (Chrysler), 1.3L D(India),and 1.6L D. THe car is a Front engine front wheel drive.
This is also the first platform built on the joint Fiat-GM small car platform.
This cars seems so cool from any of the angle it doesn't seems old models.
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