Fiat

 

On 11 July 1899, Giovanni Agnelli was part of the group of founding members of FIAT, Fabbrica Italiana di Automobili Torin. The first Fiat plant opened in 1900 with 35 staff making 24 cars. By 1903 Fiat made a small profit and produced 135 cars this grew quickly to 1,149 cars by 1906. During World War I, Fiat had to devote all of its factories to supplying the Allies with aircraft, engines, machine guns, trucks, and ambulances. during the second world war Fiat made military machinery and vehicles for the Army and aeroplanes foo the Regia Aeronautica  (Air Force). In 1970 Fiat employed over 100,000 in Italy alone when production peaked at 1.4 million cars, over the following decades Fiat’s fortunes declined and in 2014 Fiat Chrysler Automobiles became the new owner of Fiat Group, FCA then merged with the French manufacturer PSA Group in 2019, with the new conglomerate being named Stellantis in 2020.

 

 

500

The Fiat 500 is a small three door car, two doors and a hatchback boot, there is room for four adults and light luggage but not for too long a journey. The Fiat 500 is just about the best looking car on the roads today, it’s almost impossible to pass one without raising a smile. If you only have need for a small car then the Fiat 500 will keep you happy come rain or shine. The new 1.0 litre mild hybrid can offer a (very) small assistance under acceleration and for economy on the 69bhp engine that is manual gearbox only. Prices for the petrol are £Nil Advance Payment in ‘Top’ trim, £295 AP in the Limited ‘Red’ trim and £595 in the luxury Dolcevita plus trim.

The Convertible 500 Sports starts at £Nil Advance Payment in ‘Red’ or ‘Top’ trim.

The Electric 500 is now only avaialble on the Scheme in the smaller output, the 24kWh battery paired to a 70kW motor with a claimed range of 118 miles.  The 500 Sports is  available only with the 42kWh battery and 87kW motor that offers an impressive range of 198 miles, charging from an 11kW point will take around 4h 15m or  0-80% in 30 minutes from a suitable DC point as it is able to draw power at an increased rate of 88kW. The sole Electric hardtop 500 is priced at £595 Advance Payment in ‘Red’ trim paired to the small 24kWh battery. The 500 sports (ragtop) has the larger battery, 42kWh and is £1395 Advance Payment in ‘Icon’ trim.