Fiat is giving the 500 - and not just the tiny, baby 500, but the whole 500-badged family - a general update and refresh for the 2021 model year. We're not talking major mechanical changes, here, but rather trim and colour updates and refreshments.
Fiat 'monogram'
On basic 500, 500L, and 500X Pop models, there's a new colour option - Sicilian orange - which can be complimented (we're sure that's the word...) by new blue fabric seats, which come with a Fiat 'monogram.' There's also an optional matching bleu textile finish for the dashboard.
Spec up to a Connect model, and you'll get a seven-inch Uconnect infotainment system with DAB radio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus a new matt-silver finish for the dashboard.
Standard equipment on Connect 500 hatchbacks includes cruise control, parking sensors, sports steering wheel with audio controls, 15-inch alloy wheels and fog lights. Oh, and you can also have the new Perbene grey/Vesuvius black two-tone livery.
The 500X Connect also has black seats, techno-leather steering wheel with audio controls and 17-inch alloy wheels. It also features dark tinted rear windows, fog lights, LED DRLs, parking sensors and dusk and rain sensors. Meanwhile, the 500L Connect comes with 16-inch alloy wheels, body-coloured door mirrors.
Doclevita models
Fancy a little more spec? Well, how about a 500 Dolcevita (which, as any Italian film fan knows, means The Good Life)? The Dolcevita, apparently, "harks back to the Nuova 500 when it was launched in 1957 with its glamorous style and fine aesthetic details." Standard spec (and this is for the hatch 500) includes a body-colour dashboard, while outside chrome-plated details, a glass sunroof, 15-inch alloy wheels and the Dolcevita badge complete the exterior changes. A two-tone livery is optionally available alongside Bossa Nova White and Lunar Grey paint.
Oh, and there's also a Dolcevita Plus spec which comes with automatic climate control, seven-inch TFT screen instruments, 3D satellite navigation and 16-inch alloy wheels.
On the 500X compact crossover, if you go for the Connect spec, you can also add on the Cross pack, which comes with camouflage-patterned centre panel and vinyl inserts, plus 19-inch alloy wheels, roof rack and automatic air conditioning as standard. There's also a 500L Cross, which comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, fog lamps, rear parking sensors, dusk and rain sensors, automatic air conditioning. Camouflage-motif interiors or optional black leather seats are also available.
Range-topping Sport version
Range-topping 500 Sport models come with optional matt grey paint, and a bespoke Sport badge. As standard, the 500 Sport comes with 16-inch alloy wheels, new electric heated seats, automatic air conditioning, a titanium colour dashboard, seven-inch TFT screen and privacy windows.
The 500L Sport has 17-inch alloy wheels, City brake control, electrochromatic rear view mirror, interior in black technoprene, privacy glass and ambient lighting. Finally, the 500X Sport has 18-inch alloy wheels in burnished black, or optional 19-inch wheels, and exclusive matt fashion grey livery.
Oh, that's not all. There are also some value-added options packs which you can tick to have added to your new 500, 500X, or 500L. Those include the Magic Eye pack (it includes front parking sensors and rear camera, NAVI pack and ADAS pack with blind spot detection and adaptive cruise control - it's available on Connect and Cross); the Comfort Pack (automatic air conditioning and adjustable seats, visibility pack with xenon headlights, electrochromatic rear view mirror and dusk and rain sensors - it's available on Pop, Cross and Sport); and the Style Pack (which includes chrome-plated details and privacy glass with the full-LED pack and is available on Connect models).
The 500 engine lineup now includes the 70hp mild-hybrid unit, while the 500X comes with the 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo 120hp petrol 'Firefly' engine, or the 1.3-litre 150hp version, with a DCT automatic gearbox. The 500L can be had with a 1.4-litre 95hp petrol. Order books for the updated 500 family will open in February.
We're waiting to get confirmation of Irish prices and availability and will update this piece when we know more.