We knew the new 500 was maneuverable, but Fiat's local marketing schemes have enabled the car to go up in the air and down under ground, too. Following the British unveiling of the car on the London Eye, the German debut of the 500 takes it around Berlin's subway on flatbed railway cars.

The subway cars also carry the slogan "Happy New Car of the Year Everybody", highlighting the proverbial feather in the 500's cap of awards, the 2008 European Car of the Year citation. The 500 was only the second A-segment (read: really small) car to win the award, following the 2004 citation for the Fiat Panda, on whose platform the 500 is based. Since the award was inaugurated in 1964, Fiats have won the award nine times, with another three going to vehicles from sister companies Lancia and Alfa Romeo.

We're not sure if we'd be entertained or annoyed to see a promotional subway train carrying the 500s roll past while waiting for our train, but if you're in Berlin between now and the end of the month, head down into a U-Bahn station and see for yourself.

[Source: Italiaspeed]

Fiat 500 handles like its on rails for German debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Jan 2008 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.