The happiest car brings out smiles galore
500T’s flaws fade away once you sit in the driver’s seat
TORONTO — I have never encountered a vehicle that people who normally don’t care about cars get this excited about. As soon as the word got out that I was testing a red Fiat 500, my Facebook and text message inboxes were inundated with requests for a ride in the little runabout.
Did they care that it has an awesome little 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder? Nope. How about the sport-tuned suspension? Nah. That the excellent sound system in my tester was designed by the folks at Beats by Dre? Barely. All they knew is that they wanted to sit in it.
And after driving it, I completely understand why.
It is nearly impossible to be in a bad mood while driving the Fiat 500. It’s the happiest car in the world, and it really rubs off. If the Fiat could talk, it would say, “Ciao, bella! Look at me! Wheeeee! I’m driving! I’m so happy to be alive!”
The people at Fiat have done a magnificent job in making sure people know about the car’s happy disposition. With its clever mar- keting campaigns, it has diverted attention from the car’s flaws and made it an object of desire, capable of stirring emotion in the most far-removed of gear heads.
And the Fiat has many flaws, but because of the sheer joy it brings, it is very easy to forgive them.
While the main complaint with the Fiat 500 was that it was under- powered, the sweet turbocharged engine goes above and beyond fixing that gripe. The five-speed manual’s long bite and throws, along with its unique clutch and shifter position took a bit of getting used to, but turned out to be a fine performer, well matched to the sporty 500T. Things are amped up a notch when you push the sport button, which quickens throttle response and seems to deepen the exhaust note.
Although the exterior has been essentially the same since 2007, Fiat had to give this turbocharged model some attitude to match the exhaust note and sportier feel, and did so with some meanlooking 16-inch aluminum rims, chrome exhaust tips, red brake calipers, flared side sills and a rear spoiler.
The other problems with the Fiat are issues that plague the entire subcompact segment and are to be expected. These are tiny frontwheel-drive small-wheelbase cars, which means twitchy highway driving and considerable understeer when pushed into corners.
Rear-seat room is also laughable. . For two people, it is completely comfortable. For three, it is OK for short trips. For four? Nearly impossible unless your friends are hobbits.
Of course, being so small, the 500 is perfectly suited to be an urban runabout. Its fuel economy is respectable, it has peppy performance, it’s ridiculously easy to park and it stands out in a crowd.
The Fiat 500 is a charming car that makes me want to take the long way home.