Rome- Italian carmaker Fiat Wednesday published the first pictures and details of its eagerly-awaited new 500 model, due to go on sale this summer. The three-door city car closely resembles the mythical Fiat 500, which was first produced 50 years ago and sold millions until 1975, but enjoys the benefits of modern technology.
Measuring 355 centimetres in length and 165 centimetres in width, the car is equipped with three different engines, including a turbo- charged diesel boosting 75 horse power.
Unlike its ancestor, it has the engine in the front rather than the back. The fastest model should be able to reach a top speed of 150 kilometres per hour (km/h), compared with the old model's top speed of 95 km/h.
Manufactured in Poland, the car is due to be officially presented to the media on July 4 and should go on sale for around 10,000 euros (13,000 dollars).
Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne has said he expects the 500 to help the company increase its share of the European car market to above 10 per cent. The carmaker's share is currently 9.8 per cent, according to latest figures.
