2016 Fiat 500 gets up-to-date upgrades

With the new Fiat 500 hatch and convertible driving into Australian dealerships this week, Fiat has announced a hike in the entry price for the popular baby Italian car.

The revised 500 includes slight style modifications, technology improvements as well as some changes to the variants on offer.

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Here’s what you need to know about the new 500:

• The 500 will feature revised styling including refashioned headlights, a Chelsea-Grin like front grill and minor changes to the rear.
• With better equipment in the 500, Fiat has decided to drop the mid-spec 500S. So only entry level Pop (pictured above) and up-spec Lounge will be on sale in Australia.
• While the Pop will see a $2000 price increase, the top-spec Lounge will see a $1000 decrease. Fiat is also throwing in a sweet $1000 deal to cover on-road extras, so drive-away prices sit at $19,000 for the Pop and the Lounge at $22,000. The 500C convertible is slightly more expensive (pictured below)

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• The Pop will feature a new five-inch display with the UConnect infotainment system also found in Chrysler and Jeep, two-tone seat covers, Bluetooth and leather steering wheel.
• While the Pop features a bunch of standard gear you’d expect in most modern cars, such as electric stability control, tyre pressure monitoring, power adjusted and heated exterior mirrors and manual air-con, the Lounge gets all that plus seven-inch touchscreen, sat-nav, height adjustable driver’s seat, parking sensors, lighting in the boot, premium seat trim with check design, and superior finishes.
• Fiat has also promised improvements to soundproofing throughout the cabin for a quieter ride.
• While the Pop’s engine stays the same, the Lounge now features the same engine previously found in the 500S – a 1.4-litre engine with six-speed manual or five-speed Dualogic auto.