Exclusive ‘Ferrari’ 500 is seeing red

By David Wrottesley

25th July 2008

Could this be the hottest supermini ever? Well, bearing the markings of the world’s most famous Italian supercar maker should help!

This is the Fiat 500 Ferrari edition, and it’s nearly as exclusive as the models that roll out of the Maranello factory gates.

That’s because this 500 has been designed as a courtesy vehicle for Ferrari owners while their supercars are in the garage. Only 200 will be made.

The makeover includes red paint and brake calipers, scarlet stitching for the leather trim and special edition badging. There’s no supercar acceleration, however, as the 500 has a standard 100bhp 1.4-litre engine, although a tuned exhaust has been added. Fiat isn’t simply focusing on its model line-up, though. The firm is mystery shopping at its entire UK dealer network, in a bid to improve customer satisfaction.

It’s rumoured that up to 20 per cent of showrooms could get the chop if they don’t come up to scratch. Fiat UK boss Andrew Humberstone has already anonymously visited 80 of 160 sites, and told trade magazine Car Maker: “Sometimes, I am deeply disappointed.”