Frankfurt Motor Show 2007: A Hands-Free Fiat 500 Test Drive
Few people would turn down the chance to test drive the chic Fiat 500, even if it meant leaving the driving to the car.
The Frankfurt auto show is the international debut of the production version of the Fiat 500. Already an enormous sales hit in Europe, the new 500 is reminiscent of the classic Fiat model of the same name produced from 1957 to 1975. The original 500 (or Cinquecento) is a cult classic, with a reputation for being both cheap and fun to drive.
The modern Fiat 500 starts at the equivalent of $14,500 — though Fiat says many European customers are loading the retro-styled city car with costly options. Ironically, it was only a few years ago that Fiat looked like it could do no right. On the verge of financial ruin and saddled with a stagnant line of cars, the company clawed its way back — in part, thanks to the success of the Grande Punto hatchback and more recently, the new 500.
Fiat deserves credit for having created the cleverest stand at this year’s Frankfurt show. (Photo by Michael Probst/Associated Press)
Flush with success — and more spending cash — Fiat has set up an elaborate arcade-style ride in Frankfurt. An enormous model of a 500 towers over Fiat’s show-stand. Half a dozen Fiat 500s run on rails, with a “driver” and passenger hopping into each car while the model’s rear wheel slides away. Each Fiat 500 then slips into the interior of the model. Inside, there is a short video of customized 500s, followed by a faux wash of the windshield, a pose for a silly picture and one last Fiat 500 commercial before ending up back at the beginning of the ride. While not exactly on par with the thrills delivered by Coney Island’s Cyclone roller-coaster, Fiat still deserves credit for having created the cleverest stand at this year’s Frankfurt show.
The new 500 is reminiscent of the classic Fiat model of the same name produced from 1957 to 1975. (Photo by Nick Kurczewski)
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