Fiat’s ‘big’ Punto represents a clever design twist – fashioning the front of the vehicle to look a little like a Maserati makes  it seem bigger and more spacious, whilst retaining the compact overall dimensions of this nifty little number’s predecessor, the Punto. This model is distinguished by not looking like all those other little boxes on wheels chugging around Europe. Italian panache and flair shines through in the eye-catching design of this car, making it truly stand out in the crowd. By some curious alchemy, the car’s elegance never conflicts with its obvious robustness.

Unlike many small cars, it manages to drive smoothly at motorway speeds and handles with admirable responsiveness in ordinary driving conditions. Fiat always offers a plethora of different engine sizes and types. The best advice is to opt for the diesel models, and an optimal one might be the 1.9 litre, 130 bhp multijet, which combines impressive acceleration with respectable fuel economy. Unlike just about all other small hatchbacks, the Punto Grande amply demonstrates that a small car does not have to be a cramped car, and it sports generous leg room and boot space.

You will not really feel like James Bond gliding his Aston toward the best hotel in town, but you will feel more than a touch of verve and excitement on your way to either your next meeting or the shopping mall.

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Fiat, an Italian car-manufacturing company, has been recognised for many years for delivering superb, quality cars. As the economic slowdown continues to linger, practical individuals are now searching for that alternative vehicle financing scheme. Apparently, car leasing is the only solution to these predicaments. By entering into a Fiat leasing agreement, you can freely drive a Fiat car through a flexible and easy-to-manage scheme.

Normally, a conventional Fiat car price is valued at around £11,000-£20,000. Specifically, Fiat’s latest model’s (Fiat 500C) price is pegged around £11,300-£14,100. As car purchasing seems an unwise approach nowadays, leasing a Fiat will give you the opportunity to drive a Fiat 500C or a Fiat Bravo on the open road, without having to shell out bulk cash at once. Here, customers are only required to pay the initial amount, before paying the remaining balance through monthly instalments. For Example, A Fiat Bravo 1.4 Active may be worth £10,000-15,000 at its original selling price.

However, in a Fiat leasing package, you can start driving a Bravo by just spending £800-£1000. After that, monthly instalments will cover the remaining cash balance. The Fiat Bravo 1.4’s Active, 36-month term leasing contract has a £174/month car financing scheme, while its sports-type class has a higher amount of £184/month. Upon expiration, you are given the option to purchase the car or return it to the owner in exchange for the Residual Value. Residual Value, by the way, is the amount derived from the deduction of the post-use value from its pre-used worth.

With great features in store for Fiat leasing packages, you can now have the power to feel the driving rush of a Fiat car through a practical and flexible scheme.

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The Fiat 500C has the smallest engine amongst the current Fiat vehicles available. This car has a 1.2 litre engine that can only produce up to 69 bhp, so driving up steep hills without a marked speed reduction as you go is not possible; don’t expect sports car performance.  The first thing a potential owner must know is that this car is perhaps more suitable for city driving. If you are more accustomed to cruising on the motorway, then this model will probably not be your cup of tea. For those that love the styling but still want a bit of power, the 1.3 litre diesel engine that can produce up to 73bhp and the 1.4 litre petrol engine that turns out up to 100bhp are more suitable options.

The 500C has roof pillars that do not fold up awkwardly like other convertibles. The ride is stable, although it can be a little bumpy over potholes and such, but not so much that the driver and passengers will find it unbearable.

The roof retracts in three stages, and the rear glass window goes down completely. The roof uses canvas instead of metal, which makes it easier to fold. There is a bit of wind noise when the roof is folded midway. However, when the roof is completely unfolded the noise decreases to a manageable level because of the insulation. When the roof is folded down, the wind noise is also barely noticeable. The engine makes little noise, giving the driver and passengers a comfortable drive.

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Ever since BMW released the Mini, some manufactures have been re- releasing older models like the VW Beatle, VW Scirocco and of course the 500.

Fiat first showed the new 500 off in March 2007, pretty much 50 years after the first 500 was debuted. The chassis is also shared with the new 2009 Ford Ka. There engines are available 1.2 litre and a 1.4 litre petrol engine and a 1.3 diesel engine.  There will be an Abarth version released with a 1.4 litre turbo charged engine with 135 BHP.

The Fiat 500 receives a full 5 star rating from ENCAP on their safety rating which for a small car is excellent so if you’re wanting safety in a small car look no further.

The sports seats do take a bit of space away from the interior but they are a lot more comfortable than the standard seats. Featuring plenty of airbags inside also aids the Fiat 500’s 5 star NCAP rating. 
Hopefully with the Abarth been the top of the range it will be very high spec and a minimal range of optional extras. The turbocharged 1.4 engine is very lively and likes to get up and go in any area of the rev range.  As usual the plastics within the car do leave a little bit to be desired but the car is cheap and cheerful. The car has stacks of grip and is also packed with clever electronics helping you drive the fiat 500 along.

Optional extras are minimal with only 1 audio related one which is the 100w subwoofer which first featured in the Fiat Punto, Front fog lights aren’t that expensive at only £100.

Fiat 500 Abarth

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