What's all this about?
Fiat has teamed up with Ron Arad, the Israeli-born, London-based industrial designer, architect and artist, to create the latest limited edition 500. Arad is also a fan of the 1957 Fiat 500 and the special edition model carries the outline of its predecessor on its flanks. Just 200 examples of the Fiat 500 Ron Arad are coming to the UK, with a £16,000 price tag.
What do you get for the money?
One paint colour is offered - metallic black - with the original Fiat 500 outline picked out in white and the door mirrors painted to match. You also get a glass sunroof, front fog lamps and 16-inch alloy wheels as standard. Inside, there's black Poltrona Frau leather with ivory trim and a leather steering wheel. Equipment includes a seven-inch TFT instrument display, Blue&Me Connectivity and climate control. Power comes from the 1.2-litre, 69hp petrol engine. Customers will also receive a 1:18 scale model of the car.
What about this Ron Arad?
Ron Arad was Head of Design Products Department at the Royal College of Art, from 1997 to 2009; his architectural work includes the Bauhaus Museum in Tel Aviv (2008) and the Design Museum Holon (2010). Arad also produced the artistic work, 'In Reverse' which comprises six old Fiat 500s squashed flat; this was exhibited until March last year at the Lingotto Complex in Turin, where Fiat cars were once made.
John Lambert - 1 Mar 2015
