Cinquecento
With the Cinquecento (Italian for “500”), which has been on the German market since February 1993, Fiat once again proves its expertise in contemporary compact cars. Tailored to today’s requirements, the Italian mini presents itself as a fully fledged car in terms of space and safety, performance and comfort – and all this as compactly, as ingeniously and as inexpensively as possible. It starts with the design: a short, sloping bonnet, a long wheelbase and a vertical rear end that is a hand’s breadth higher than usual – in this way five people can be accommodated on a minimal road footprint. The small body overhangs are striking, and the drag coefficient of 0.33, proof of the city car’s good aerodynamics, is excellent.
On the German market the Fiat Cinquecento, which is produced at the Tichy plant near Krakow (Poland) and of which more than one million units have already come off the line, is offered in six versions.
Cinquecento 0.9 i.e.S: it is the basic model of the range and is powered by an environmentally friendly and economical four-cylinder engine which draws 29 kW (40 hp) from 899 cubic centimetres, reaches a maximum torque of 65 Nm at 3,000 rpm and meets the D3 emission standard. The ultra-compact Fiat accelerates from a standstill to 100 km/h in 18 seconds, has a top speed of 140 km/h and uses 6.1 l combined according to 93/116/EC (premium unleaded).
The Cinquecento 0.9 i.e.S comes from the factory practically equipped with, among other things, a driver’s airbag, belt tensioners at the front, a five-speed gearbox, exterior mirrors adjustable from inside, height-adjustable front head restraints, heat-insulating glazing, a digital clock, hinged rear side windows, remote release for the fuel filler flap, an electronic immobiliser (Fiat CODE) and many storage compartments.
Cinquecento 0.9 i.e. SX: the SX version, also powered by the 0.9-litre engine, is additionally equipped with electric windows, side protective mouldings, bumpers painted in body colour, single-colour rear lights and a centre console. Central locking, a glass/pop-up roof, metallic paint and an asymmetrically split rear seat bench are available on request. The boot of the smallest Fiat holds 170 litres; with the rear seat folded down the load space can be increased to 810 litres.
Cinquecento Suite 0.9 i.e.: this version of the small Fiat clearly focuses on comfort and comes as standard with air conditioning, electric front windows and central locking. Here, too, the 0.9-litre unit provides the drive.
Cinquecento Soleil: the airy edition of the Cinquecento, which is also powered by the 0.9-litre engine, has an electric Webasto folding sunroof which at the push of a button lets the sun shine into the interior of the Italian compact car or keeps the rain out. The double-layer folding sunroof of the Cinquecento Soleil opens up an aperture 1.08 metres long and 0.79 metres wide and is made of hard-wearing PVC. With the roof open a wind deflector reduces the direct draught, and an aluminium surround with sturdy guide rails and firm seals ensures untroubled driving pleasure in all weathers.
Cinquecento Sporting: the sporty version of the range offers driving pleasure, safety and a sporty look at an attractive price and is aimed above all at young buyers looking for a compact and capable car. The Sporting is powered by a 1.1-litre four-cylinder engine which produces 40 kW (55 hp) at 5,500 rpm and reaches a maximum torque of 86 Nm at 3,250 rpm. This enables the car, which weighs only 735 kilograms, to sprint from a standstill to 100 km/h in 13.8 seconds and reach a top speed of 150 km/h. (Consumption according to 93/116/EC 6.2 l combined). The 1.1-litre engine also meets the D3 emission standard.