I think they're gorgeous, very reminiscent of the new Minis. I hope they help towards dispelling the awful rep Fiat has.

My Mum had one of the original 500s, back int day...

Just posted a reply under "Where are these available", but the point that may be relevant here is that the Lancia Ypsilon has just been launched as a Momo Design version with both the 90hp MJT and a new 105hp version of the same engine. Might not need the 1.6. Also see comment posted on new Bravo site re: diesels.

I saw a couple of 500s in Grenoble last month at a Fiat dealer just outside town. The salesman unlocked one of them and let us have a play around with it.

The one we tried had pale blue paint, the electric sunroof and cloth interior (sort of pale cream colour), a cream steering wheel with multi-controls, 15" wheels and a few chrome odds and sods. It seemed comfortable and roomy and looked great. The other one was on a high ramp. We climbed up to have a look but it wasn't safe for the salesman to open up. This one had a black leather interior, no sunroof but 16" wheels and tricolore side stripes. It had white paint.

The salesman just let us get on with it and didn't hang around to answer questions - we probably looked English if he hadn't already noticed our Barchetta parked up.

Do we want one, yup!