Vehicle: 2012 Fiat 500 Pop Convertible
Price as tested: CDN$19995
Performance: How can you make the Cinquecento even more fun? Just give it a shoot with its top open. Subject to this edition of test drive. The affordable Italian fun from Fiat.
It used to be “open top” and “Italian” usually don’t come anywhere inexpensive, just look at those Maserati and Ferrari. With the introduction of the Cinquecento convertible, just about anyone can have a bit of affordable Italian open top passion.
A fun convertible has to begin with a good powertrain. As with the cheerful 500, its convertible silibing comes with the same Multijet 1.4 liter SOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder powertrain. While having 100 ponies and 97 lb/ft of torque certainly won’t let your heart bumping as fast as a 458 Italia, it is adeuate to move 2416 lb of passionate Italian through its paces. The 500 has got to be one of the lightest convertibles anywhere in the market, given how Fiat engineers have stiffened the chassis for improved rigidty and stiffness. The result is a little convertible that can move. It doesn’t have any annoying cowl shakes when driven through railroad tracks and washboard pavements, basically eaten up those expansion joints easily. On the other hand, this engine has provided peppy lanuch and responsive mid-range given its modest performance figure. This Multijet has lived up to our expectation of being a refined engine, even if its a bit rough at the top end. The 5-speed manual is standard on our Pop, which provides decent throw with a progressive clutch. The gear ratios have set to provide comfortable highway cruising while low enough for enthuisastic launch. For a characterful convertible, it has more than enough grunt to move its worth. However, its the 6-speed manumatic which is a gearbox of choice for 500. An extra gear really makes a whole world of difference, when it comes to engine revving at high rpm and less buzzy than manual unit.
Handling: The single biggest difference between Cinquecento and Cinquecento convertible, is latter doen’t offer “Sport” in addition to “Pop” and “Lounge”. That is fine since most convertible buyers are looking for comfort rather than all-out handling. However, it doesn’t mean 500 won’t deliver, when it comes to dynamics. In fact, its a delight to drive. The standard suspension is both comfortable compliant and supple when pushed. The suspension is compliant enough to absorb all the bumps and roughness, while its supple enough to attack corners. Fiat doesn’t mess up with its dynamic package whatsoever. Its still as blast to drive as its hardtop silibing, without giving up anything with the roof down. When the roof is up, its as sincere and well-isolated as any Cinquecento. With the roof down, let’s just enjoy the beautiful sunshine when pushing the 500 through the black top twisties on a hot sunny day. The electric power steering provides exceptional feel and feedback, its very responsive and precise. There are minimal body rolls, while understeer is well-tempted by its excellent stability control. This ESC has provided high threshold for enthuisastic driver to have a bit of fun before actually stepping into the equation. Having fun is just an understatement to 500 convertible. 
Brakes: With 4-wheel discs and standard ABS, 500 stops accordingly. The stopping distance is short, while pedal always feels solid and well-planted. It doesn’t feel spongy even after a couple of harsh stops. On the other hand, ABS doesn’t nil in unnecessarily wraps up the impressive package.
Interior: Whether you consider it a full convertible or just a canvas top, it just opens up 500′s beautifully done cabin nicely. The cloth seats on our Pop have been well-foamed and very comfortable. All the major controls are ergonomically placed and initutive to use. Its level of simplicity and austerity have become a rarity these days, given the irritating trend of modern interior has to be complicated for complicated’s sake.
If there is one major flaw, it has to deal with 500 ragtop’s luggage space. Although 500 is a subcompact but the so-called luggage area, one really have to considered what to pack before going on a simple weekend getaway. While its more spacious than some of its rivals, one still has to consider whether to bring toothpate or toothbrush along the trip.
Conclusion: The 500 convertible is definitely a nice piece. The combination of poise, character and fun are enough to justify its nothing more than a canvas top. Now you can drive up beside a Ferrari California, tell the owner parks next to you on a traffic light “I have an Italian convertible for only costing 10% of yours!”
Competitions:
Mini Cooper convertible
Smart For2 convertible
Mazda MX-5
VW Eos
OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2012 Fiat 500 Convertible
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Performance: 4/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 5/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 5/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 4.5/5
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 4/5
Value-for-money: 5/5
Overall rating: 4.5/5