German Car Zone

Special 500 is record sell-out
You don't get much quicker than a Fiat 500 - at selling out, that is


21st May 2007

Limited-edition Fiats snapped up within two hours of going on sale
The Italian maker has announced it shifted the first 500 limited versions of its exciting new supermini within two hours of putting them up for sale on the Internet.

Between 18 and 23 April, buyers could click on www.fiat500.com and reserve a car from the first batch to hit forecourts. But the website was swamped with thousands of applications from drivers wanting to be first to own the newcomer.

As a result, many will be left disappointed, while the successful few will be contacted by Fiat by the end of June. The models they will get are badged Opening Edition. Each has been customised by renowned Ital­ian furniture designer Giulio Cappel­lini. They get pearl white bodywork, an exclusive numbered badge on the outside door pillar and a plate inside on which the customer's name can be engraved. The all-new Fiat is officially unveiled on 4 July. Buyers of the 500 Opening Edition cars will take delivery shortly afterwards.

I didn't expect anything less. This car will sell like crazy.

Thanks, far2000!

It reminds me of Pikachu.

Okey, I'm letting it all come out. I like!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's so stylish, elegant and cute at the same time. I don't see it as a car, to me it is an accessory like a Motorola RAZR or a blue iPod Mini. PR-firms and real estate agencies will order fleets of it. The interior is even better designed than the interior of the very cluttered Mini, which gives an mp3-player ish impression. I wish Fiat would develop a coupe or a sedan version of this, with maybe a bit more chrome details.

You are exactly right Luw ...this is a fashion accessory. Yawn...

^^
You don't like it, think it's pointless?

I don't dislike it and it certainly isn't pointless ...it is entirely conceived with the intention of selling very well ...becoming a short-term cult object. Fiat will make a lot of money from it. So no, it is not pointless but it does lack integrity and substance; it is superficial just like the VW Beetle is. The Mini is not superficial IMO, it does have integrity, it is not just a Retro fashion statement.

I'm glad to see Fiat are doing well again, first the Punto, and now this!

I personally prefer the Mini to this, think this is more of a girls car, but lets see what happens!

That's exactly what it is. Fiat is doing terribly bad and they desperately needs something to get people into their show room. Frankly most people will be disappointed when they will see nothing but the Punto and a demo 500 on the show room floors.
Visiting the graveyard and waking up dead is something the American have heavily engaged in the latest three years, reviving the Camero, Chargers and all the cult classics.
Just like every revived iconic car the 500 will most likely not survive longer than 3 years.

Can't wait for an Abarth version.