The first model Fiat 500 was Topolino, it was collected from 1936 to 1955. Two more modifications of this truly epoch-making model were produced with minor changes: the Fiat 500B, which had an engine power of 16.5 hp, appeared on the market in 1948, and Fiat 500C - in 1949. In France, Topolino was manufactured by SIMCA. In Italy, the last Fiat 500C was assembled in 1955. In the same year, the Fiat 600 came to replace the “mouse”.
In total, almost 520,000 Topolino were produced. The model carried a lot of progressive solutions. In the design of this 2-seater sedan, an X-shaped frame made of box spars with openings was used to reduce its mass; the engine in the same block with the clutch housing and gearbox stood at the front end of the frame, all of which was mounted on a stamped subframe, which increased the rigidity of the chassis. With dimensions of 3215/1275/1377 mm, the Topolino was one of the most compact cars in the world. Moving side windows without protruding window handles protruding from the doors allowed to slightly increase the useful volume of the cabin.
There was a trunk in the back of the body, where, if necessary, two removable seats for children could be arranged. A four-cylinder in-line engine with a capacity of 0.569 liters and a power of 13 hp was installed on the vehicle. water-cooled, with a radiator located behind the engine. The maximum speed reached 85 km / h, gas mileage was about 5.5 liters per 100 km. Topolino had a 4-speed synchronized manual transmission. The front suspension was applied independent on the transverse arms and the transverse spring, the rear - on the semi-elliptical springs. Hydraulic drum brakes.
The curb weight of the car was 545 kg, and he could "take on board" 2 people and 50 kg of cargo. The Fiat 500 Nuova minicar, released in the summer of 1957, became the bestseller of the company. The car had a 2-seater 2-door sedan with a length of 2.97 m. The 500 Nuova used air-cooled engine for the first time in this class of cars. The 2-cylinder 0.479-liter 0.479 liter overhead valve engine was located at the rear and had a power of 13 hp. at 4000 rpm The maximum speed was 85 km / h.
The model is aggregated by a mechanical 4-speed gearbox. Independent front suspension on a transverse leaf spring with hydraulic shock absorbers, rear suspension on semi-elliptical springs. Brakes all wheels drum. The Five Hundreds have been modernized several times. In the autumn of 1957, the assembly of the improved version began. Engine power increased to 15 hp and the speed increased to 90 km / h.
The interior has made many changes: the side windows are lowered, the sun visor, the light switch on the steering column. In 1958, the Fiat 500 Sport made its debut with a 0.5 liter engine with a capacity of 21.5 hp. He had a two-color body and developed a speed of 105 km / h. In 1960, the Fiat 500 Nuova was discontinued and the production of the 500D and 500K Giardiniera with a 0.5 liter engine began; At the same time, the 500K Giardiniera had a body elongated by 10 cm.
Issue 500D ended in 1969, and the 500K Giardiniera lasted until 1977. In March 1965, sales of the Fiat 500F Berlina began, with the doors opening in the direction of the car, and not against, as on previous models. In 1968, a modification appeared Fiat 500L Lusso - the most comfortable version, which had a solid bumper, improved instrument panel and interior, seat belts, as well as radial tires. Both models were discontinued in 1972. In 1972, the Fiat 126 was introduced at the Turin Auto Show, which became the successor to the 500th.
For marketing reasons, the FIAT concern has been producing a parallel version of this model Fiat 500R with an engine of 0.594 liters and an 18 hp capacity for several years. and somewhat simplified compared to the 126th finish. Its release was discontinued in 1975.
The Fiat 500 was marketed as a cheap and practical city car, and it bore fruit: the 500th was extremely popular, without exaggeration, a cult vehicle everywhere in Europe. Over 20 years, about 4 million of these cars have been produced. The world premiere of the new generation Fiat 500 took place on July 4, 2007. Reincarnation was a tremendous success. An independent international jury consisting of 58 journalists representing 22 countries awarded the Fiat 500 the title “European Car 2008”, and the new “500th” won the competition with a convincing margin.
He also became the winner of the annual European competition EuroCarBody 2007, held by the International Automobile Association, and received a prize for the best body, the design of which was developed in the company's Style Center Fiat. In the exterior, the progenitor features are preserved, which, in combination with the techno style, produced such a deafening effect. The dimensions of the front-wheel drive 3-door hatchback are 3550/1650/1490 mm, the wheelbase is 2300 mm, the track is 1414/1408 mm. At the heart of the new Fiat 500 is the same platform as the Fiat Panda. Both models are manufactured at the company's plant in Poland.
The package includes three engines, four equipment levels, twelve body colors, fifteen variations of the upholstery, two of them are leather, nine types of wheels R16, an ignition key for body color, a huge list of additional equipment, and an air freshener with three flavors to choose from. The manufacturer also provides a warranty of 5 years or 500,000 kilometers. The interior of the new Fiat 500 is made in a modern style. Salon ergonomic and roomy.
The finish is made of quality materials. The dashboard is a large dial that combines a speedometer, tachometer and on-board computer. It is convenient to sit in the front seats and rear. Separate 50/50 back sofa and two head restraints are designed for two passengers.
On the Fiat 500 set 4-cylinder 16-valve turbo diesel Multijet 1.3 liters (75 hp, 145 Nm) and two petrol engines: 1.2 liters R4 8V (69 hp, 102 Nm) and a new one the VVT system is a 1.4-liter R4 16V (100 hp, 131 Nm), complying with Euro 5 toxicity standards. The first two engines are well known and are also installed on the Panda and Punto models. With engines of 1.2 liters and 1.3 liters, it takes 12.5-12.9 seconds to accelerate to 100 km / h; the maximum speed is 160-165 km / h. With a 1.4-liter engine, the “five hundredth” is more dynamic: 10.5 s to 100 km / h, and the maximum speed reaches 182 km / h.
The fuel consumption of the 1.2 l version is not more than 6.4 l / 100 km in the urban cycle and 4.3 l in the extra-urban, for 1.3 l, respectively 5.3 / 3.6 l, and for 1.4-liter 8.2 / 5.2 l. In 2008, the Abarth version with a 1.4-liter 150-horsepower turbocharged engine is expected. Acceleration to 100 km / h will be her only 8 s. The engines are aggregated with a 5- or 6-speed manual gearbox, or with a 6-speed robotic Dialogic gearbox. Lightweight due to the electric power steering and energy-intensive and elastic improved suspension from Panda (front independent McPherson spring with a stabilizer, rear wishbone) provide good controllability.
For a better feeling of the road, you can turn on the Sport mode, while the steering wheel becomes more reactive (“heavier”). Front disc brakes, rear drum. The standard tire size is 185/55 R15. Already the basic equipment includes two front airbags and ABS and EBD systems. In the series of crash tests of the organization EuroNCAP for the safety of passengers, the “500th” scored 35 points out of 37 possible, receiving five stars.
Fiat 500 is an absolutely modern car with a stylish appearance that carries the aesthetics of a cult prototype, comfortable and practical in urban environments. Having successfully survived the reincarnation, the car found more than 770 thousand owners all over the world. Not surprisingly, as a result of this success, the manufacturer decided to step with his successful little car into a more serious class. At the Geneva Motor Show in 2012, the five-door compact van Fiat 500L presented to the public. The presentation was timed to the 55th anniversary of the release of the very first Fiat 500 on July 4, 1957.
By the way, this model is designed to change the Fiat Idea monobody, which has been manufactured by the company for almost 10 years. It should be noted that in the history of the Italian manufacturer, starting from 1968 and up to 1972, the five hundredth model was already produced, having the index “L” in its name. But then, forty years ago, the letter “L” in the name meant Lusso, which translates into Russian as “luxurious”.
Now, this letter means something completely different, indicating the class of the car and its dimensions. In the Fiat 500L 2012, the “L” index means Large, i.e. "big". The five-door version is 594 mm longer, and also 153 mm wider and 175 mm higher than the usual three-door Fiat 500.
The appearance of the car turned out fervent. The attention in the design of the car is immediately attracted by triangular glass inserts between the front door glass and the large windshield, as well as the headlights of bold and unusual geometry. A two-tone body color is offered, the options may be the most daring. Three colors for the roof, 11 body colors, 3 disc colors and 4 different configurations - a total of 333 possible variants. The salon is characterized by a large internal space, the possibility of transformation, a huge number of trim options and a bright personality.
Climate control using convenient “krutilok”, easy to read instruments and touch-screen monitor - everything is very simple, but convenient and functional. Colored or suede inlays on the instrument panel look appropriate and stylish. Backseat passengers will enjoy seats with an excellent profile, spaciousness, headroom, plenty of compartments and pockets. In addition to the basic equipment, Fiat offers thousands of different accessories for the 500L, from clothes hangers and iPad fasteners, to bicycle fasteners on the roof and hitch. The car is equipped with a drive on the front wheel axle.
The line of power units consists of three engines. Two petrol: twin-cylinder 0.9 TwinAir Turbo 105 l.c. and four-cylinder 1.4 16V Fire 95 l. with., working with a 6-speed manual. And another diesel 1.3 Muiltijet 85 l. with., preferring 5-step "mechanics". In 2013, they announced a 7-seater version of the Fiat 500L, which received the prefix Living. According to the creators, this model combines the charm of the 500th, the quality of a city car, the convenience of a C-class wagon, the space and the versatility of a minivan.
Hence the word Living (living space) in the name of this car. Compared with the usual Fiat 500L, this version added 21 centimeters in length (up to 4.35 meters) and “grew up” a centimeter in height (up to 1.67 meters). To compensate for the loss of space in the luggage compartment, the rear seats fold flush with the floor. In this position, the trunk volume reaches 638 liters - almost 238 liters more than the standard Fiat 500L.
The interior is offered in Pop Star and Lounge variants, including the execution in leather. Interior colors can be selected from 19 basic tones and 11 two-tone combinations. In addition, 15 different wheel drive options have been proposed. The buyer can choose from two petrol and two diesel engines. The petrol range is represented by a 1.4-liter 95-horsepower unit, as well as a 0.9-liter TwinAir, giving out 105 horsepower.
The diesel versions of the MultiJet II have a volume of 1.3 and 1.6 liters and deliver 85 and 105 horsepower, respectively.
