2014 Fiat 500 1957 Edition: Mid-Century Style in a 21st Century World [First Impression]

FIat-500-1957I love small cars. I love nimble, lightweight, tossable cars. Cars like the 2014 Fiat 500. And when the Fiat 500 comes with a few retro flairs, like the 1957 Edition, it’s safe to say I’m a happy gal.

Powered by a 1.4L inline 4-cylinder engine, good for 101 horsepower and 98 lb/ft of torque, the 2014 Fiat 500 1957 Edition is underpowered for sure. But really, there’s more to driving enjoyment than just raw horsepower. There’s also a five speed manual transmission, putting the power to the front wheels and a Sport mode that results in more aggressive steering and throttle setups.

Fiat-500-1957-wheelsDriving enjoyment can also depend on style, which the Fiat has in spades. The 1957 edition comes in a limited, mid-century palate. You can opt for Bianco (white), or  exclusive Celeste (celestial blue). The Verde Chiaro of my test vehicle was reminiscent of a Thin Mint, with the cream colored roof and mirror caps being the perfect accompanying glass of milk.

Other 1957 touches include 16″ body painted wheels with a large vintage Fiat center cap, brown leather seats with contrasting cream stitching, a cream and brown leather wrapped steering wheel, and cream and brown door panels. The cream metal dash completes the retro cabin.

Fiat-500-1957-interiorStay tuned for a full review of this unique hatchback. Until then see what happens when 4 big guys get in the 2015 Fiat 500 Abarth and smash the gas to 60 mph.