16 Jan 08 16:35
Fiat insiders have confirmed the Italian carmaker is readying a convertible version of the new 500 that could be revealed as early as this summer.
Details of the 500 drop-top are limited at the moment, but engineers are said to have had difficulty working out how best to remove the roof without compromising strength and risking the 500's class-leading five-star Euro NCAP occupancy rating. We therefore expect the 500 to be more targa than full-blown convertible, in order to maintain maximum crash protection.
Meanwhile, Fiat is readying a new range of powerplants, including a super-efficient, 900cc two-cylinder petrol engine that could be here as early as early 2009.
