Frankfurt motor show 2007 - Fiat

So much has already been said and written about the new Fiat 500 that it's hard to believe Frankfurt is actually its official show debut.

That's the case, however, and it's undoubtedly one of the stars of the event. Like the Mini, it proves that downsizing to a small, economical car need not necessarily be the end of motoring fun. Few cars make you feel so good about life, as the waiting lists that are already building up demonstrate.

Today's 500 is a faithful modern update of the original car that was launched exactly 50 years ago, but with a front-mounted water-cooled engine in place of its ancestor's rear air-cooled unit.

There are 1.2- and 1.4-litre petrol engines and a 1.3-litre diesel, but to be honest it barely matters what's under the bonnet. Half the fun of the 500 is choosing your spec from the hundreds of thousands of combinations of colours, wheels, decals and options; and it's a joy to be in, even when it's hardly moving.

The cabin catches the 1950s theme just like the exterior, with body-colour dash and door cappings and cream Bakelite switchgear. Unlike the Mini, it's practical, too, with just about enough room for four people and a half-decent boot.

It comes to the UK at the beginning of 2008 and is likely to cost upwards of around £9500, though Fiat hasn't yet decided what the line-up will be.

There's another important launch on the Italians' stand: the rebirth of Abarth, its performance tuning division. The Grande Punto will be first to get the treatment with 150bhp and 180bhp versions of Fiat's 1.4-litre turbo engine.

In addition, Fiat highlighted its future fuel-saving and emission-reducing technology in a Panda Aria concept car.

Features include stop-start technology to automatically switch the engine off when idling, lightweight components and low-resistance tyres. The car's trip computer also offers advice on the optimum time when to change gear.

The car is powered by a 900cc two-cylinder engine which can run on a combination of methane and hydrogen. Power output varies according to the mix, but top power is 105bhp. It emits just 69g/km of carbon dioxide.