Before the Gucci and Prada boom, the 2012 Fiat 500 was among Italy's most recognized export brands. So it's pretty exciting to see Fiat reentering the US automobile marketplace with the introduction of the 2012 Fiat 500 subcompact. We all can't look quite as hot and sultry as spokeswoman Jennifer Lopez driving the Fiat 500, but we can have just as much fun.
This fashionably cute cruiser is truly a blast to drive. Under the hood a 1.4-liter Multi-Air inline four-cylinder engine puts out 101 horsepower. That may not sound like much, but it's plenty to get the 500 moving and grooving like you -- in your Jazzercise class or on the dance floor. The front Macpherson suspension setup helps keeps the sexy 500 vehicle level and stable even through the tightest twists and turns.
Despite its athletic prowess, the Fiat 500 only needs to sip from the gas pump! It boasts an EPA estimated fuel economy rating of 30 miles per gallon in the city and 38 mpg on the highway when equipped with the five-speed manual transmission. If you prefer the six-speed automatic, your fuel economy is still a very impressive 27-mpg city and 34 mpg highway. How many shopping trips or daily commutes does that equate to on one tank of gas? A bunch!
The 2012 500 comes in three trim options; Pop, Sport and Lounge. Opt for the Pop trim and the standard features list includes cozy cloth seats, a six-speaker entertainment system, and a Bluetooth package with hands-free connectivity, voice-recognition and a built-in USB port. Step up to the Sport or Lounge trim package and the speakers upgrade to premium Bose units. If you're looking to go topless, the 500 also comes in a cool Cabrio model This car is, after all, Italian, so you know that great leather seating is going to be a option.
Okay...how compact is the Fiat 500? Well, it's stylish, classic lines only run 139.6-inches from tip to tip. That's shorter than a Mini Cooper, which measures 146.6-inches long. Surprisingly, the 500 offers ample legroom and elbow space for drivers and front seat passengers.
The 2012 Fiat 500 is a stylish Italian deal on wheels. It's easy to drive, and delivers great standard and optional features. For more details on options, specifications, warranty and availability click here... and Her Highway will take you there!
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