Fiat is updating the 500 for 2015, and while it is being unveiled across Europe tomorrow, the 4th of July (an auspicious date in 500 history - the original 500 was revealed on the 4th of July 1957) it will actually go on sale here in September.
You will be hard pressed to spot the new 500 from the outside, unless you're a colossal car anorak. There are new front and rear lights (including LED daytime running light units that mimic the zeroes in the 500 badge) and a very slightly reprofiled front end.
Inside, there are much more significant changes. While the overall architecture of the cabin is basically the same, there are fresh materials, a new instrument cluster, which, as an option, can be all-digital, and a new Uconnect five-inch touch-screen stereo, which is standard across the range. The basic model just really has a radio and a media player but ritzier versions get TomTom satnav and DAB radio too. Standard equipment across the range includes seven airbags, Uconnect Radio with six speakers, aux-in and USB ports and steering wheel remote controls, as well as LED daytime running lights. The Pop Star version adds air conditioning, body-coloured mirror caps with defrosting function, 15-inch alloy wheels and a 50/50 split folding rear seat with headrests, while the Lounge model adds luxury equipment including a panoramic glass sunroof, rear parking sensors, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, front fog lights, chrome front grille and the touchscreen Uconnect infotainment system.
A full range of Mopar accessories is also available from launch, including vintage-style wheel trims; a range of alloy wheels with different designs, colours and finishes; mirror caps either in chrome-effect or painted in a variety of colours; distinctive side badges; chrome roof mouldings; a rear spoiler and a range of decals for sides and the roof. A tailgate rack is also available with two systems for transporting winter sports equipment, like skis and snowboards.
New customisation kits with original roof wraps and mirror caps will also be available. Five colours are available: microcarbon black, matt silver, matt titanium, military green and jeans. The microcarbon black and military green variants also extend to the dashboard to pick up the special exterior inside the car.
The colour palette now totals 13 hues (seven pastel, one solid and five metallic) including two new colours: Glam Coral and Avantgarde Bordeaux. Two striking black-yellow and black-red variants are also available as part of the Fiat 500 'Second Skin' initiative, which offers a range of customisation options capable of satisfying every creative taste imaginable. There are two types of second skins, the first features a fashionable, geometric pattern along the belt line only, while the larger skin options cover the pillars and roof - and in some cases the bonnet and tailgate as well. Five patterns are offered: Ethnic (geometric pattern); 'Lord' (classic tartan); 'Comics' (pop decoration) in combination with the new two-colour body paintwork; 'Navy' (nautical patterns) and 'Camouflage' (fashionably military).
The engines have been lightly updated too. The good old 1.2 petrol remains more or less unchanged, but there will be an 'eco' version of this engine, with tweaked alternator etc. to bring it in under 100g/km of CO2. That's not confirmed for Ireland yet, but there will be the option for 85hp two-cylinder TwinAir (with 90g/km) or 105hp TwinAir (with 99g/km) if you fancy something a bit more sporty. The 1.3 95hp Multijet diesel is also there, with CO2 emissions of 89g/km. Fiat says that the 85hp TwinAir can average 74mpg.