Yes, the flagship model from the Italian car maker, Fiat 500 [images], otherwise called CInquencento will be on roads soon on the lines of Volkswagen’s Beetle. (VW is quite enthusiastic over the thumping sale of Beetle [images]). The earlier launch of this Fiat 500, in 2008, marked the introduction of a high-end hatchbacks on the price range of premium sedans from popular brands. However, Fiat could not reach the proper market and as on date there are just 68 units on roads whereas VW could muster a sale volume of 300 units within eight months of its launch. Of this, 100 units were sold during two months period of may-June 2010.
Fiat 500 will be equipped with a 1.3 lit CRDi multi-jet engine which is found in Maruti Swift [images], Punto [images] and Tata Indica Vista [images]). In addition there will be customized features to tap the potential Indian market, said sources from Fiat. The company’s CEO for India said that they believe in the success mode of retro cars and this could apply for Cinquecento. This made the deliberate delay in the launch of its luxury cars like Bravo. Fiat launched its Cinquecento in Europe some three years ago after a gap of 50 years, from the first launch in Turin.