Fiat 500 - 1.2 Pop 3dr Quick Stats :
	0-60mph Maximum Speed Insurance Group Contract Hire	12.9 seconds 99 mph 3 from £139+VAT pm

rom the first moment you lay eyes on Fiat's new 500, it's easy to become infatuated.
Like BMW's Mini, this is a slick, modern recreation of a much-loved retro design, and it's hard
to be cynical about it. Best still, beauty runs more than skin-deep with this diminutive Italian - it deservedly romped away with the 2007 European Car of the Year accolade.

Having already driven the the diesel 1.3 and the 1.4 petrol, we were quite keen to try the
1.2 69bhp engine, the cheapest in the 500 range.

If you go hunting, it's possible to dig up some dubious-quality plastics, but overall, Fiat has
done an outstanding job to make the 500 feel special. It's a cut above other city cars and mercifully, as well as feeling special, it all feels well screwed-together too.

But will it be reliable? We expect so; as it shares most of its underpinnings and mechanicals with the now well-proven Panda, we are thinking that the little gremlins should have been ironed out.

It's refreshing that even with the entry level 1.2 69bhp engine, it's still possible to have plenty of fun
in a 500. Thank the 1.2-litre 8v engine's smoothness and willingness to spin sweetly to the red line.

The 1.2 also feels more relaxed compared to the frenetic 1.4. That's because it delivers its maximum torque at 3,000rpm, some 1,250rpm lower than the bigger engine.

Its tempting to say that the 1.2 is our favourite engine in the 500 range, but it's not quick: 0-62mph takes 12.9 seconds. For most buyers, it will be perfect for city driving, but on the motorway plenty of momentum – (and gear changing) - will be needed to cope with inclines.

The 1.2 has a five-gear transmission rather than the larger petrol's six-speeder, and a fractionally less precise gear change action, but this gearbox is lighter-weight and quicker-shifting. Otherwise, the handling is business as usual for the 500 - near class best.

As far as safety goes, the 500 has been given 5 star Euro NCAP rating which is pretty much as good as it gets. It is a shame that Fiat decided to leave out ESP (stability control) as standard – this is a cost option of £200.00. Maybe some will feel that this is a small price to pay for peace of mind, but we are finding that most buyers will ignore this option in lieu of bonnet stripes and wheel upgrades.

This is a very environment friendly little car with very low emissions. It will also give you around 55mpg if you drive it nicely, and we mean, nicely.

Overall, if you are looking for small city car but can’t afford the high costs of a MINI, maybe you should consider the Fiat 500. The 1.2 Pop delivers style and fun at an affordable price.