As the Fiat 500 makes its first American debut in 27 years, the automobile’s designer said that a mixture of classic and modern designs inspired his new creation, according to the New York Times.
History of the 500 model
The original Fiat 500 model was manufactured in Italy during the 1930′s as an attractive but affordable car for working class families. Then known as the Il Topolino – the Italian nickname for Mickey Mouse – the model’s designer, Dante Giacosa, created more versions of the car over the years. However, the Times said his crowning achievement was the 500 model of 1957, known as the Nuovo 500. The vehicle’s “double bubble” curved aesthetic became synonymous with images of Italian life, with the model even included in the 2006 Pixar film “Cars” to depict an Italian racecar fanatic.
Roberto Giolito, the designer of the new Fiat 500, told the paper he included touches of Giasco’s double-bubble look in the new 500, as part of his goal to create a vehicle with a look of “timelessness and purity.” As for modern influences, Giolito said he was also inspired by the streamlined appearance of the Apple iPod.
The American reception
U.S. News and World Report gave the 2012 Fiat 500 – which was recently introduced in the states – an overall score of 8.3 and ranked it 13 out of 33 for Affordable Small Cars, although the source still questioned how well the European car would be received by Americans. While the review said the Fiat 500 has a “cute, petite exterior that makes it hard to dislike,” and receives up to 38 miles per gallon of gas on the highway, it still isn’t as energy efficient as other subcompact vehicles such as the Honda Fit or Ford Fiesta. In addition, while the Fiat 500 has generally been met with positive reviews, some industry experts question whether Americans – who tends to lean toward larger and more powerful cars – will warm up to the model.
The Fiat 500 may face some stark competition from similar vehicles like the Mini Cooper, which is one of the only European subcompact vehicles on the market that has been successful in the U.S., according to the source. However, the Mini Cooper, which starts at $20,100, is considerably more expensive than the basic Fiat 500, which costs about $15,500.
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