As if the little 500 wasn’t cool enough, Fiat have added a stylish Cabriolet and a semi-auto Sport model to a thoroughly revised lineup. While the 500 has always mixed chic Italian style, sprightly engines and fun handling with a healthy dose of contemporary nostalgia, hefty price tags have proved a dissuasion to prospective South African buyers. Fiat’s welcome response is a realigned range that begins with a 1.2 entry level car agressively priced at R135 500, followed by a 1.4 Pop at R157 800 and the Cabriolet and MTA Sport newbies at R197 600 apiece. Safety and spec levels are relatively high across the range, (eg. even the 1.2 has ABS, aircon, electric windows and 7 airbags) with only the base model missing out on a standard 5-yr/90 000km service plan.

We drove both new models, each offering a quite distinctive experience, despite utilizing the same 74kW mill from the impressive Panda 100HP. The 500C gets the slick six-speed manual gearbox and a motorized canvas roof that concertinas back in a retro nod to the original Cinquecento. Its double-layered fabric roof works a treat at insulating passengers from wind noise and offers several preset positions from typical sunroof to panoramic roof to fully open cabriolet. Retaining the full metal side profile translates into a stiffer bodyshell than a regular convertible, while all seven airbags, including side curtain bags have been retained. The sides also confer a greater sense of security than regular ragtops. The only disadvantage is that rear vision is severely restricted when driving top down, but you’re no worse off than in a Mini Cooper Convertible.

The Sport MTA model makes use of Fiat’s five-speed Dualogic automated manual gearbox. As far as these types of transmissions go, it’s a pretty good compromise, with fast and seamless downchanges accompanied by the hint of a throttle blip. Up changes are good too, provided you time your throttle lift. The simulated auto mode is less convincing, with a common-for-this-transmission-type ‘lurch’ between changes. Easy enough to live with, but for very lazy drivers only.

While the cabrio has undeniable appeal, I'd say the pick of the new range is the 1.4 Pop which gets all the good stuff - lickable body colour dash, six-speed box, 100HP engine and still leaves money in the kitty for leather and funky rims.