Fad*ish- fashion and design

The time when bigger was better is slowly diminishing -- well at least outside of the United States. Who can blame us for being more environmentally conscious, when the world as we know it is getting warmer by the second? Compact cars and sedans are being abandoned for upgraded, vintage ‘small’ cars -- with new and improved add-on features. It was only a matter of time before Fiat made the leap and joined the scores of old and new ‘small’ car models on the market.

Fiat upgraded their 500 model, just as the Mini did years before, and I for one have been waiting for this change. For years the Italians have been sore losers, boasting how the Fiat 500 was the Mini’s predecessor. Though that might be true, what has the Fiat 500 done for us lately? It has been a while since they emerged from the mind of Dante Giacosa -- Fiat’s chief designer at the time -- in 1957¹. Then, the original ‘Italian Job’-- starring Michael Caine invaded the silver screen in 1969, and the Mini has hogged all the attention ever since. Also, the Mini and other vintage cars have continued to evolve, leaving the Fiat 500 lost and forgotten.

Now in the year 2007, the Fiat 500 has finally emerged with a new version sure to live up to that Italian pride. Its updated design -- and ability to go from 0 to 100 km/h in 10.5 seconds-- is sure to give any compact car in the market a run for its money. We have more than just the Mini Cooper to consider here, the world of small cars is getting bigger by the minute. Don’t let their size fool you, small cars are getting smarter, and are coming with more than just a gas saving incentive. It is just a matter of time before robots become friends, food comes in pellets, and the small car takes over the world.

For more information on the Fiat 500 visit their website at www.fiat.it.

*ms.b

^1. http://www.gizmohighway.com/autos/fiat_500_history.htm

Labels: Wheels