Wednesday 19th September 2007

New 500 Gets More Attitude

Fiat's baby gets all macho

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Lean, Mean Cool-looking Machine

While the length of the waiting list for the new Fiat 500 is testament to just how good the design is, the cutesy looks aren’t to everyone’s taste. Lucky for them, then, that German suspension specialists H&R have applied their considerable expertise to giving the 500 boost in the man-points department.

Key to the modifications is a set of height/damper adjustable coil-overs which drop the car around 30mm. Add in a set of TRAK+ wheel spacers to push the alloys to the edge of the wheelarches and the car gains a much more squat and purposeful stance.

The car’s standard skinny rubber has also been ditched in favour of some tasty split-rim eMotion 17” wheels, while the make-over is completed by the addition of a cheeky boot spoiler and plenty of the oft-overused “sporty-look” honeycomb mesh.

Don’t know about you, but in black it’s certainly the pick of the new range. However, we hope that the H&R boffins have left plenty up their sleeve for the forthcoming Abarth and SS versions.

[L100NYY]

I can't wait to have a go in one of these wee beasties, it will be interesting to see what the official Abarth version is going yo be like.

[sidesauce]

I must say that the "black on black" look (ie black wheels on a black car) really works for me on this model...

[nickjm]

[Louis Walsh mode]

I like it!

[/Louis Walsh mode]

[PhantomPH]

What a good looking little car.

[Daggerpie]

And another...

[CooperS]

I like it alot, cant help think that it would look better with fatter arches?

[Hendry]

At the risk of running against the grain, I think these visual mods strip the car of what made it stand out in the first place. It now looks like another modded Micra or Ford Ka.

[MK4 Slowride]

little cutie.

[Marki]

MK4 Slowride said:

little cutie.

Yes both are

[vrooom]

All work done no engine/suspesion mod? BAH!

[JKDesign80]

CooperS said:

I like it alot, cant help think that it would look better with fatter arches?

Fiat 500 Cup by MS Design

[edx]

Really liking the new 500, can't wait to see the Abarth version, reckon this could be the next car on my shopping list (for the missus of course )

[Daggerpie]

I tried putting my name on the Abarth for when it comes out "hopefully" nx year but the Fiat salesman had never even heard of it! Filled me with confidence no end...

[collateral]

It wants minilites and high profile rubber IMHO

[waynepixel]

I am slowly fooling in love with this little car. Great work, and yes the H&R black car looks great. Now if there was only a V6 version.

[cvegas]

Looks great lowered. Style of the wheels look a bit dated and cheap. Look forward to seeing it with alternative black wheels.

[jimbro1000]

Hendry said:

At the risk of running against the grain, I think these visual mods strip the car of what made it stand out in the first place. It now looks like another modded Micra or Ford Ka.

Given that the new KA shares the same platform and the basic shape seems more than reminiscent to start with I don't think that should come as a huge surprise really..

roll on the abarth version with a bit more taste though

[sad61t]

Looking at Car magazine's exclusive on the 500 SS here http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/print.php?sid=1057

Key points appear to be 175bhp (+-10bhp) with major updates to front end styling to allow breathing and cooling, aero tweaks to side skirts and boot scoop. No major wheel arch extensions, but a genuine twin exit exhaust adds style. It also looks like they're going to strip all the Fiat badging for Abarth... maybe limiting sales to only selected Fiat dealers?

[redpen]

The version to have of the original 500 was the Steyr Puch 650TR, somewhat modified by the Austrian truck and bus manufacturer to enable it to whiz up mountains a bit faster - very successfully! The ultimate pocket rocket.

[Silver993tt]

The problem with all these mods is that it's not a Cinquecento any more. 17" wheels? Pointless, should have 13" or smaller to keep in touch with what the car really is - a great city car like the original Mini, that's the whole point of it. All these mods ruin it and make it look like a chav's estate special