Created by the Fiat Styling Center and manufactured at the Tichy plant in Poland, the 500C pays homage to the open-top 1957 model and is defined as "an “open source” design, implying the addition of new functions to a successful existing product."

The new 500C shares has the same dimensions of the standard model (3.55 m x 1.65 m x 1.49 m).

It also shares the same powertrains, which include a 1.3 liter 75 HP Multijet Turbodiesel coupled to a 5-speed manual transmission  and two 1.2 liter 69 HP and 1.4 liter 100 HP gasoline engines, available with either manual or robotized Dualogic transmission.

Among the newly introduced features is the Start&Stop system, a device controlling momentary engine shutdown and subsequent reignition.

The innovative sliding soft-top features an electrically operated linkage, a glass backlight and a built-in center high-mounted stop light.

It is available in three colors (ivory, red and black), matching several bodywork color schemes, two of which have been conceived specifically for the new car: a brilliant Pearl Red and a special Warm Grey typical of sports supercars.

The Fiat 500C will debut at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show and will be launched in Europe in Spring 2009.

(Source: Fiat)