Fiat 500 Giardinetta may be back

08 August 2007

  • Long-wheelbase 500 expected in 2008
  • 4x4 model could follow
  • See our artist's impressions

Image by Schulte Design

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The Fiat 500's sales success in Europe has prompted the company to consider several variants, including a long-wheelbase challenger to the Mini Clubman and a 4x4.

The long-wheelbase car is expected to go on sale in late 2008 and be called the Giardinetta in homage to the 1960 original. It translates as 'little garden' and its dimensions are expected to rival those of the four-seat Mini Clubman, which goes on sale in November 2007.

Engine options are not likely to deviate from those available on the standard 500, which means buyers will be able to choose from the 70bhp 1.2-litre and 100bhp 1.4-litre petrols and the 75bhp 1.3-litre diesel.

The increased dimensions of the Giardinetta also open up the possibility of Fiat developing a 4x4 version of the 500, using the four-wheel-drive technology developed on the Panda 4x4. Our computer-generated images suggest how both could look.

Variants already confirmed of the Fiat 500 include a high-speed Abarth and a cabriolet soft-top. Both are expected to go on sale in 2008.