Fiat announced in Turin that it will build a 500 convertible due in late 2009. Since then, spies have been waiting to catch it on public roads. The wait is now over!
First prototypes were spied in the 500's plant in Tychy, Poland and now engineers have taken it to the Nurburgring in Germany. Like the Mini Cooper cabriolet, the 500 cabriolet is feature a fabric roof which is both cost effective and saves weight unlike conventional metal and glass folding-tops.
A close look at the mule reveals that this model is quite clearly sporting a set of B-pillars and C-pillars, confirming that Fiat are working on 2 cabrio variants of the Fiat 500. As we can see the A-pillar which runs from the base of the windscreen to the base of the rear window on this semi-convertible prototype remains in tact, but we are just missing the roof area which will gain a retractable textile cover instead. The Cooper cabriolet offers you a semi-cabriolet and a full blown cabriolet with the latter shown on the rendering.
Engines will remain the same as the 500 coupe - 1.2 litre 70bhp and 1.4 litre 100bhp petrol engines and the super-economical 75bhp 1.3 litre MultiJet diesel engine.
Rumours have stated a 2009 Geneva show debut has been planned by the Italian automaker but a concept called "TenderTwo" will debut at Paris in October.
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