2014 Fiat 500 1957 Edition takes retro even further

Thu, 21 Nov 2013

It's been 57 years since the "new" Fiat 500 was introduced in 1957, and to celebrate this iconic inspiration for the current 500, Fiat has revealed a new commemorative model at the LA Auto Show. The 2014 Fiat 500 1957 Edition will only be offered in North America, and it goes on sale next spring.

Paying tribute to the "Nouvo Cinquecento," this special-edition Fiat 500 has a throwback styling with its 1957-era wheel design and Fiat logo. The 1957 Edition also comes in a limited color palette consisting of classic hues including light green and baby blue with two-tone white roof and mirrors or a solid all-white paint job.

We think it's pretty cute, and you can judge for yourself after viewing our high-res image gallery above. If you'd like, Fiat's official press release can be found down below.

New 2014 Fiat 500 "1957 Edition" Highlights 57 Years of the Legendary Icon

-- Limited-production "1957 Edition" builds on the Fiat 500's storied past with unique exterior and interior design elements
-- Novel exterior appearance, three classic exterior colors, 1957-era wheel design, Bianco-painted roof and vintage "FIAT" emblems pay homage to the historic Fiat "Nuova" 500
-- Premium Marrone leather interior accented with Avorio highlights the Cinquecento's more than half-century of contemporary yet elegant Italian style
-- Sport-tuned suspension and 1.4-liter MultiAir engine provide the engaging driving dynamics the FIAT brand is known for, along with up to 40 miles per gallon
-- New 2014 Fiat 500 1957 Edition arrives in the Spring for North American FIAT brand enthusiasts

Celebrating the 57th anniversary of the original 1957 "Nuova" Cinquecento (New 500), the new 2014 Fiat 500 "1957 Edition" combines iconic Italian design with engaging driving dynamics and vintage styling appointments – all for a limited-edition model enthusiasts are sure to love.

"The 1957 Edition celebrates the Cinquecento, the icon of our brand, and its unique cachet of Italian style, efficiency and engaging road manners," said Jason Stoicevich, Head of FIAT Brand for North America, Chrysler Group LLC. "Created for Italian car and design fans who want an added sense of the historic Cinquecento's spirit, the '1957 Edition' features unique styling elements, material finishes and, of course, a manual transmission and sport-tuned suspension."

New 2014 Fiat 500 "1957 Edition"

There's a romance about Italian cars, brands, fashion and design that make goods from this artisan nation among the most coveted around the globe. Since 1957, the Fiat 500 has embodied all four, empowering the Cinquecento to become one of the most iconic automobiles of all time. Fifty-seven years later, and with sales in more than 100 countries, the 2014 Fiat 500 1957 Edition commemorates its roots in uniquely crafted detail.

Based on the 2014 Fiat 500 Lounge model, the 1957 Edition enhances its iconic silhouette with a vintage look, thanks to classic exterior colors for this limited-edition Cinquecento, including Bianco (white), or for a bi-color look, Verde Chiaro (light green) or exclusive Celeste (celestial blue) paired with a signature Bianco painted roof and mirror caps. Inspired by the 1957 Fiat "Nuova" Cinquecento, an exclusive 16-inch retro wheel design features a wide chromed lip, body-color accent and large center cap with historic "FIAT" emblem. For improved handling, a sport-tuned suspension and all-season performance tires are standard. Completing the look are throwback "FIAT" badges on the front fascia and rear liftgate.

Continuing the 1957 Edition's vintage look is an Avorio (ivory) interior environment contrasted by premium Marrone (brown) leather seats. Avorio accent stitching vertically crosses the seatbacks and seat cushions, while detailed stitching at the perimeter adds to the Cinquecento's craftsmanship. For added contrast, Grigio (grey) door panels feature a unique Avorio inner panel, while Marrone door armrests and shift boot (with manual transmission) are color-keyed to the leather seats for a harmonious look. An exclusive Avorio leather-wrapped steering wheel is hand-stitched with Marrone leather on the "inner ring," and features a retro "FIAT" badge, illustrating how FIAT brand takes craftsmanship to heart. Adding to the historic theme is a uniquely styled key fob with Marrone casing and Avorio-painted "1957" graphic. For driving enjoyment, the six-speaker and 276-watt FIAT premium audio system with SiriusXM Radio is also included.

The 2014 Fiat 500 1957 Edition features the innovative 1.4-liter MultiAir engine and C514 five-speed manual transmission, delivering an EPA estimated 31 miles per gallon (mpg) city and 40 mpg highway. Like all FIAT products, engaging dynamics are essential, and the 1957 Edition includes a driver-selectable "Sport" mode on the instrument panel to unleash a more aggressive throttle map. Additionally, an optional six-speed automatic transmission with driver-selectable gear changes is also available. In Sport mode, the automatic transmission offers a more aggressive shift schedule and throttle map for improved engine responsiveness.

The 2014 Fiat 500 1957 Edition arrives at FIAT Studios in the Spring of 2014. Pricing will be announced closer to market launch. Ordering will begin at FIAT Studios nationwide in early 2014.

About the historic Fiat "Nuova" 500

The Nuova 500 was the fruit of a strategy designed to develop and revamp Fiat's product range, embarked upon by the company during World War II. While the city of Turin was still being targeted by Allied air raids, and the company's Mirafiori offices were occupied by German troops, Vittorio Valletta, Fiat Managing Director and later company Chairman (after the death of Fiat's founder Giovanni Agnelli), asked Dante Giacosa to start thinking of new cars that could go into production after the war. The result would be the Cinquecento, an automobile that delivered on its mission to provide efficient and affordable mobility during Italy's period of rebuilding and economic recovery.

The Fiat Nuova 500 was "the right car at the right time," and on July 4, 1957, the hatchback marked the rebirth of FIAT and its product range. Exactly 3,893,294 examples of the historic Cinquecento were built between 1957 and 1975, helping to provide an attainable car for Italians and numerous other Europeans. After 18 years of production, the last Fiat Nuova 500 was built on August 4, 1975, at the SicilFiat plant in Termini Imerese (Palermo, Sicily).

About FIAT Brand

The FIAT brand stands for discovery through passionate self-expression. It encourages people to be in charge of their lives, live confidently and celebrate the smallest of things with infectious excitement. That philosophy is embodied by the North American introduction of the iconic Fiat 500 or Cinquecento – a small car that lives big. Italian at heart and rooted in a rich heritage, the Fiat 500 is synonymous with modern, simple design, blending form, function and a pride of ownership that is genuine.

Reminiscent of the original Cinquecento, the Fiat 500 and Fiat 500c (Cabrio) build on the vehicle's global popularity. Since its initial launch on July 4, 2007 (50 years to the day after Giacosa's famous car debuted), more than 1,000,000 Fiat 500 vehicles have been sold in more than 100 countries around the world. In addition to success on the sales front, the Fiat 500 has earned more than 80 international awards, including being named the 2008 European Car of the Year, 2009 World Car Design of the Year and Best New Engine of 2010 (Fiat MultiAir Turbo). In the U.S., the 2012 Fiat 500 was named "Best Buy" in the subcompact category by Consumers Digest and was deemed a "Top Safety Pick" by the influential Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). This year, the 2013 Fiat 500 was named to the "10 Coolest New Cars Under $18,000" list by Kelley Blue Book's KBB.com and the Fiat 500L was awarded "Top Safety Pick" by the IIHS.

The FIAT brand portfolio in North America continues to expand. In 2013, the FIAT brand launched the high-performance Fiat 500 Abarth Cabrio, the fully electric Fiat 500e and the Fiat 500L, an all-new five-passenger model that expands FIAT's brand style and efficiency into the growing B-segment.

By Jeffrey N. Ross