The city car, which...

The city car, which was launched to rapturous acclaim earlier this year, had been expected to weigh in with a five-figure tag when sales kick off in January. However, the entry-level 1.2-litre Pop model will start from чЈ7,900 – a price that undercuts all but the most basic Pandas.

And while kit will be modest, the cheapest 500 will be less than every model in the Citroen C2 range and all Ford Fiestas. Standard equipment includes passenger, side and knee airbags, electric mirrors, colour-coded bumpers and chrome door handles. The vast options list comprises stability control, a glass sunroof, metallic paint and parking sensors.

The 500 will be available with a choice of three engines; 69bhp 1.2 and 100bhp 1.4-litre petrol units, plus a 75bhp 1.3-litre Multijet diesel.

Sport and Lounge trims start from чЈ9,300, but feature more kit, such as air-con, alloys and Fiat’s Blue&Me hands-free multimedia system.

Sport models get a roof spoiler, foglights and tinted windows, while range-topping Lounge variants add a split/fold rear seat and a full-length glass roof. The most expensive 500 offered costs чЈ10,700 – that’s чЈ910 less than an entry-level MINI One.

Speculation about the 500’s pricing has been rife since the new car was announced, and many experts predicted it would match the MINI. However, Fiat’s decision to sell it at under чЈ8,000 means that thousands of buyers will now find it within budget.

The announcement will put more strain on Fiat’s order books, which are already full for 2008. Left-hand-drive 500s are commanding big premiums in the UK, and buyers at the top of the RHD waiting list can expect to make a large profit should they choose to sell their cars straight after delivery.

car for rent singapore commented:

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02.03.2012