NF500 / european car of the year

There’s an interesting article, more of an opinion piece, on the new Fiat 500 and the “retro car craze” (if indeed there really is such a thing) of the MINI, Beetle, and now the new Fiat 500. Written by author Giles Smith the report includes some articulate observations about the new 500, as well as the draw of cars taking inspiration from the past in general.

The Fiat 500 is European Car of the Year 2008, and little wonder. It is smart, sassy and, for what is basically a small, soft blob of metal, enormously covetable. But it is also, essentially, half a century old.

Worth a read we think, and available online at the Guardian website.