Pass me that magnifying glass will you?

Why? What do you need it for?

Well, I'm trying to see where Fiat has made the changes on the supposedly-new 500, which launches across Europe tomorrow and goes on sale here in September, priced from £10,890.

Find anything yet?

Hang on... Ummmmmm... Yes! New headlights! And new lower light units with oval daytime running lights. The two sets of circles supposed to mimic the zeroes in 500, I think. There's a major interior upgrade too, with new seats, new steering wheel, higher-quality materials and the UConnect touchscreen stereo. All models, even the basic one, get the touchscreen bit with FM/AM and media player connectors, while higher-spec models get features like DAB, Bluetooth and a reader for incoming text messages.

Meantime, while the new instrument cluster keeps its distinctive dial-within-dial setup for Pop and Pop Star models, on the Lounge model you can now have a new seven-inch TFT digital screen on which you can see data from the speedometer, odometer and trip computer simultaneously at a glance, while the central section of the display - featuring an image of the car - can be configured to show distance travelled, fuel consumption, range, trip time etc. Warning messages and the Gear Shift Indicator, which advises when to shift gear to maximise fuel-efficiency, are also displayed in this cluster in a highly visible manner.

There will also be the option of UConnect Live online services, but their availability in the UK is yet to be confirmed. An integrated TomTom satnav system is definitely available though.

There are four engines confirmed for launch - three petrol and one diesel. The old 1.2-litre 70hp engine is soldiering on and there's going to be a new eco-version of that, which emits just 99g/km of CO₂. Then there are two versions of the two-cylinder TwinAir engine, with either 85hp and 90g/km of CO₂ or 105hp and 99g/km of CO₂. For those needing the ultimate in frugality, there is the 1.3 MultiJet diesel with 95hp and just 89g/km of CO₂.

Standard equipment across the range includes seven airbags, UConnect Radio with six speakers, Aux-in and USB ports and steering wheel remote controls as well as LED daytime running lights. The Pop Star version adds air conditioning, body-coloured mirror caps with defrosting function, 15-inch alloy wheels and a 50/50 split folding rear seat with rear headrests, while the Lounge model adds luxury equipment including a panoramic glass sunroof, rear parking sensors, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, front fog lights, chrome front grille and the touchscreen UConnect infotainment system.

A full range of Mopar accessories is also available from launch, including vintage-style wheel trims; a range of alloy wheels with different designs, colours and finishes; mirror caps either in chrome-effect or painted in a variety of colours; distinctive side badges; chrome roof mouldings; a rear spoiler and a range of decals for the sides and roof. A tailgate rack is also available with two systems for transporting winter sports equipment, like skis and snowboards.

New customisation kits with original roof wraps and mirror caps will also be available. Five colours are to be offered: microcarbon black, matt silver, matt titanium, military green and jeans. The microcarbon black and military green variants also extend to the dashboard to pick up the special exterior inside the car.

The colour palette now totals 13 hues (seven pastel, one solid and five metallic) including two new colours: Glam Coral and Avantgarde Bordeaux. Two striking black-yellow and black-red variants are also available as part of the Fiat 500 'Second Skin' initiative, which offers a range of customisation options capable of satisfying every creative taste imaginable. There are two types of second skins; the first features a fashionable, geometric pattern along the belt line only, while the larger skin options cover the pillars and roof - and in some cases the bonnet and tailgate as well. Five patterns are offered: Ethnic (geometric pattern); 'Lord' (classic tartan); 'Comics' (pop decoration) in combination with the new two-colour body paintwork; 'Navy' (nautical patterns) and 'Camouflage' (fashionably military).

Neil Briscoe - 4 Jul 2015