Fiat 500 convertible

Text: Jack Rix / Photos: Lehmann

10th February 2009

The rumours are true! These are the pictures that prove the open-air 500 is almost production ready. Set to debut at Geneva next month, you can clearly see the 500 cabriolet will use a retractable canvas roof that’s closer to a targa top than a full convertible.

By keeping the majority of the car’s body structure intact, engineers have avoided the need for costly chassis changes, and ensured that it will remains rigid and just as fun as the fixed roof version to drive. The novel ‘sardine-tin’ roof will also distance it from its main competitor - the MINI cabriolet.

A high-performance Abarth version is likely to follow, offering a direct rival to MINI’s John Cooper Works convertible that will be shown at Geneva. Prices for the standard model are expected to start from around £10,000 when it hits showrooms later in the year.

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