Fiat’s 500 has been back with us since 2008, and although it has never set the sales charts alight in this country, the new twin-cylinder versions are easy to drive and super economical. We examine how good they are for first-time drivers.
Fiat’s 500 is based on the original twin-cylinder 500 Nuova that began scurrying around the alleyways of Italy in 1957. That car was seen as Italy’s answer to the German “people’s car”, the VW Beetle, and the 500 was a huge success in Italy, being produced until 1975, with close to four-million units sold.
The spiritual successor to the 500 came in in 2007, with the “new” 500 being sold initially with a small-capacity four-cylinder engine. Fiat has also sold the highly-tuned Abarth versions here, following on a sporting tradition started in Italy with the original 500, thanks to efforts of legendary “tuner” Carlo Abarth.
The new 500 Twin Cylinder
In 2016 Fiat South Africa introduced the latest version of the 500 which featured a twin-cylinder engine once again. This time around the little 900 cc twin-cylinder engine is turbocharged, and about four times as powerful as the 1957 original. The entire Fiat 500 range here now uses the so-called TwinAir engine, and it is available in either 63 kW or 77 kW form.
Is the Fiat 500 suitable for first time drivers?
In many respects the Fiat 500 is the ideal “starter pack” car. The chief reason for this is its size which makes it easy to drive in crowded city streets and also to park.
The Fiat 500 is only just over 3,5 metres long. By comparison, a Renault Captur Cross Over is 4,1 metres long and a BMW X3 is 4,7 metres long. This very short length with virtually no overhangs, handy when honing your parking skills!
The steering is also very light and easy to use in parking situations. The car is nevertheless stable at freeway speeds.
The power output is more than adequate for a first time driver. However, there is quite a gap between second and third gears, so the driver has to learn to rev the car a little higher in second gear to make sure it pulls properly when third gear is selected.
Manuální nebo automatické?
The Fiat 500 is available in both manual and automatic form, with five-speed and six-speed gearboxes used, depending on the model chosen.
We would recommend learning on a manual. It’s much easier to convert from a manual to an automatic than it is to convert the other way around, so get manual transmission experience at the outset of your driving career. This way, if you are forced to hire a manual car at an airport due to budget or availability, you won’t have any problems, even if you generally drive an automatic car. For an article on the ideal car for students, which lists the Fiat 500 but offers many alternatives, klikněte zde.
Bezpečnost
Generally speaking, the bigger the car, the safer it is in an accident, as there is lots of sheet-metal around you. In this respect you could feel a bit vulnerable in such a small car. However, the Fiat 500 has good manoeuvrability, which makes it ideal for avoiding accidents! It also has very good roadholding.
As far as safety equipment is concerned the Fiat 500 is excellently equipped, with traction control, ABS braking, brake assist, and no less than seven airbags, unusual for a small, relatively inexpensive car.
Obraz
One thing’s for sure, if you are buying this car for your son or daughter, they are going to thank you for providing a first-time car with lots of street-cred. The Fiat 500 has become a bit of a cult city car in the fashionable suburbs in South Africa’s major centres.
Úspora paliva
The Fiat 500 is also extremely economical. In fact the manufacturer claims a figure of just 3,8 ltres/100 km. In reality, overall consumption will work out at between 5,0 to 6,0 ltres/100 km which is still excellent.
So what’s our verdict?
As a first car, this is one smart set of wheels. If you buy it new it will set you back between R206 900 and R323 900. We suggest going for the base Pop model in manual. Better still, why not consider a pre-owned Fiat 500? You can klikněte zde to see an article on the differences between new and used Fiat 500s. These earlier (pre-2016) Fiat 500s will be available with the 1,2-litre and 1,4-litre four-cylinder engines, but they will still prove very economical.
Of course there are many alternatives to the Fiat 500 in the small city car segment, and many of them are less pricey. You will find an interesting article on the safest small cars for new drivers if you klikněte zde. But if it’s a funky image you are after, you won’t go far wrong with the little 500, which is so cute looking it makes you want to take it home and spoil it.
Klikněte zde to check out AutoTrader’s 80-plus listings of new and used Fiat 500s for sale.
FIAT 500, FIAT 500L, Fiat 500X A FIAT 500 ABARTH SPECIFIKACE
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Středa, leden 27, 2016
How The Fiat 500 Handles Snow
The Fiat 500 may be small, but it packs a lot of capability within its lean frame. Take for instance driving in snow. Fiat has given the 500 a sophisticated traction control system. Throw a set of snow tires on when you’re in the really deep stuff and you have a surprisingly good snow car. As Italy is a mountainous country, it should be no wonder! Watch these videos and you’ll be a believer.
This Fiat 500 tackles a steep icy driveway with 7 inches of fresh snow.
Here is a look at the technology that helps the Fiat 500 tackle slippery conditions and maintain its composure.
PROTIBLOKOVACÍ BRZDOVÝ SYSTÉM (ABS)
The Fiat 500 combines its Antilock Brake System (ABS) with Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and All-Speed Traction Control (TCS) to help the driver maintain control. ABS prevents wheel lockup during braking, helping retain directional stability and steering control.
The anti-lock brake system consists of the following components:
- Integrated Control Unit (ICU)
- Hydraulická řídicí jednotka (HCU)
- Antilock Brake Module (ABM)
- Four Wheel Speed Sensors (WSS) — Four sensors (one at each wheel)
- Steering Angle Sensor — integrated into Steering Column Module.
- Dynamics Sensor Module — includes Yaw rate and lateral acceleration sensors
Good demonstration of the Fiat 500’s Electronic Stability Control System.
The ABS operates at vehicle speeds above 5–8 km/h (3–5 mph). During braking, if wheel locking is detected by Wheel Speed Sensors (WSS), the hydraulic pressure in the four wheel circuits is modulated to prevent wheel skidding. Each wheel circuit has their own electric solenoids to maximize braking, but to ensure vehicle stability, both rear wheel solenoids receive the same brake pressure as the wheel with the highest slip. The system switches off when the car slows to a speed of 5–6 km/h (3–4 mph), which may allow the wheel to lock up, and is normal and can help when on snow or gravel.
An interesting fact it that although the ABS prevents complete wheel lockup, some wheel slip is desired in order to achieve the best braking performance. Wheel slip is allowed to reach up to 25–30 percent, and may result in the typical tire chirping noise heard during ABS operation. This should not be thought of as wheel lock up, and can be seen on the road surface as light patch markings and not the dark black markings made by a skidding tire.
ELEKTRONICKÉ ŘÍZENÍ STABILITY (ESC)
The Fiat 500’s Electronic Stability Control (ESC) helps maintain directional stability under all condition, including snow, ice or gravel. If there is a discernible difference between driver input through the steering wheel and the Fiat 500’s path, ESC applies selective braking and throttle input to guide the vehicle back on to the driver’s intended path within the limits of available traction.
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) includes Hydraulic Brake Assist, Traction Control, Electronic Roll Mitigation, and Brake Lock Differentials.
ESC uses the ABS along with the following components to operate:
- Dynamics (ESC) Sensor — under the center console, near the center of gravity of the car for efficient sensing.
- Steering Angle Sensor (SAS) — located in the steering column.
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) has two modes in Fiat 500 models. Abarth models have an additional OFF mode.
Plný
This is the normal operating mode for ESC and is on when the vehicle is started. This mode is used for most driving situations and should only be turned to Partial Off for the reasons listed below.
Partial Off
This mode is intended to be used if the vehicle is in deep snow, sand or gravel conditions and more wheel spin than ESC would normally allow is required to gain traction. In Partial Off mode, Traction Control is deactivated, and ESC doesn’t intervene as quickly as in the Full-On mode.
ALL-SPEED TRACTION CONTROL (TCS)
Traction Control System (TCS) prevents wheel slip when accelerating on slippery surfaces and works up to 85 mph (137 km/h). The system uses signals from the ABS wheel speed sensors to determine when to apply the brakes to one or more wheels and when to reduce engine torque output to prevent wheel slip during acceleration. Because TCS can precisely control engine torque as well as applying the brakes, it is possible to achieve a smooth torque application to the wheels which greatly enhances traction.
The system is identified as “all-speed” traction control because by reducing engine power, braking effectiveness is maintained and the system can operate throughout the normal vehicle speed range.
The traction control system may be turned off or on by depressing the ESC Off switch button.
BRAKE LOCK DIFFERENTIAL SYSTEM (BLDS)
The Brake Lock Differential System (BLDS) is part of TCS and offers similar performance as a locking differential. If one wheel starts slipping, the ABS slows the spinning wheel. This automatically transfers more drive torque to the wheel with traction. The advantages of BLDS over a mechanical locking differential are faster and more progressively intervention and lighter weight.
HYDRAULIC BRAKE ASSIST (HBA)
Hydraulic Brake Assist helps the driver overcome the tendency not to apply the brakes hard enough or quick enough to achieve the minimum stopping distance during a panic stop. In an emergency brake situation, the system applies maximum braking power, minimizing the stopping distance.
ELECTRONIC ROLL MITIGATION (ERM)
Electronic roll mitigation (ERM) anticipates if vehicle at risk of entering a potential roll situation and applies brakes individually and modulates throttle position as needed to keep the car stable.
