Fiat 500 C drop-top to debut at Geneva show
Click above to view the Castagna's 500-based Tender Two in high resolution
The Fiat 500 has been a runaway success, but so far only the standard hatchback body-style has been offered The first derivative, however, is tipped to debut at the Geneva Motor Show this March.
Like the test mule spotted previously (and unlike Castagna's concept shown above), the 500 C, as the convertible version will be called, will feature a solid frame between which a canvas roof can be deployed or retracted. Earlier reports suggested that this targa-style convertible would later be supplemented by a full cabrio, but we'll have to wait and see on that, as well as the engine options. The standard 70-hp 1.2-liter four will likely carry over along with the 100-hp 1.4L unit that transformed the ho-hum Panda – with which the 500 shares its underpinnings – into the much-loved Panda 100HP go-kart. Diesel and Abarth versions may follow as well, along with a start-stop system anticipated to save 8% on fuel consumption to be offered on both the open and closed versions of the 500. We'll bring you more on the 500 C as we approach the show in March, after which the retro targa will go on sale in England first and then other markets this spring to do battle with the new MINI Cabrio.
[Source: 4Car]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jesse Fuller 9:44AM (1/15/2009)
They ought to make it look exactly like the Castagna & put wicker seats on it like the vintage Fiat Jolly's, that'd be wicked
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DCragtop 9:50AM (1/15/2009)
uhhmm...it looks like a theft-recovery car.
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casey 10:10AM (1/15/2009)
vintage Jolly all the way! reminds me of the cars on Fantasy Island, RIP Ricardo Montalban btw.
the spyshots of the upcoming convertible seem to show a roof like the original 1950 Rambler-the canvas roof slides between outer rails from the windshield to the C pillar, or one of the versions of the Citroën Pluriel.
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RIck 10:21AM (1/15/2009)
I can't look at that without thinking Jolly. By the way, there's a tourist trap in Orange County, CA called Balboa Island. Some of the locals who reside on this little ferry-fed colony own a little fleet of original Jollys. I had no idea they were there until a couple of years ago. If you're in the area, and want overpriced food and such, check it out.
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Travis 10:35AM (1/15/2009)
don't care. want Abarth 500 SS. NOW!
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MJL 10:45AM (1/15/2009)
Not the strongest-looking roof supports I've ever seen
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Cory 10:54AM (1/15/2009)
Probably not going to have girls like that draped over a car like this. I'm not complaining about the pics, I'm just saying it might be a tad over-optimistic. This truly is Fantasy Island.
Also, unless one of them is willing to ride in back, you'd have to choose only one.
This car would not sell well in the upper MidWest right now.
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13enS 11:31AM (1/15/2009)
So that's where my golf cart went....
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Andrew 4:01PM (1/16/2009)
autoblog.com, the image is very misleading.
that's why the comments above are basically wrong.
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