Fiat 500C Convertible - launched in the UK today

The new Fiat 500C Convertible launches in UK showrooms today

The sun is shining for Fiat at the moment as it rampages around the world’s beleaguered car companies, but it’s also shining today as Fiat officially launches the Fiat 500C Convertible on to the UK market in the middle of the best spell of weather we’ve had in the UK since 1732 (not quite – but you know what I mean!).

And if you want a fun, economical and stylish little convertible to zip round the city in this summer, it would be hard to find a better option than the 500C. True, its ‘cutesey’ style is not to everyone’s taste, but it’s hard to argue against the car when it costs just £11k (for the Pop version) and is quite likely to hang on to a good chunk of its value for the next year or two.

But retro-looking as it may be, the 500C is very much a modern car. It uses the same platform as the Ford KA we reviewed recently but is, overall, a more complete package. It’s economical, fun to drive and actually feels like a modern car, not a half-hearted attempt to recreate a past icon.

Even the entry-level Pop version is pretty well equipped, getting 7 air bags, ABS and EBD, power steering, AirCon, central locking and electric windows. You get an upgraded spec on the Lounge model, including climate control, ESP, 15″ alloys and parking sensors. But for our money we’d take the Pop, add on Blue&Me and have a dirt cheap, fun little convertible to blat around locally for the summer.

Fiat has released a new set of UK specific pictures of the Fiat 500C (which you’ll find below), and an extensive Fiat 500C UK Launch Press Release if you want all the guff.