500’s baby brother takes first steps

It might not look much like a bella bambino now – but this is the Fiat 500’s baby brother.

As we revealed in Issue 1,013, the firm has plans for a low-CO2 micro-car, reviving memories of the Topolino – and our spies have caught it on the road.

It has a new rear-engined, rear-wheel-drive platform, co-developed with BMW, and the project will also spawn a BMW micro-car, badged Isetta. The Fiat has a 65bhp 900cc engine and a twin-clutch semi-auto box, and promises 80mpg economy, plus sub-90g/km emissions.

Inside, there’s a versatile 3+1 seating layout, with a sliding front passenger bench, plus a flip-down ‘fourth’ seat in the rear. The car is due in 2010.