NF500 / launch show

As if to illustrate that the whole motoring world was watching the unveiling of the new Fiat 500 in Turin on the 4th July, Canadian publication Globe and Mail has an in depth article and appraisal of the lavish combined Birthday and Launch Party of the Fiat 500. That’s despite the fact that, at best, the North American markets can look forward to an Abarth version of the 500, sometimes after 2010! Reporter Eric Reguly certainly didn’t let that dampen the sense of occasion:

The riverside launch show of the new Fiat 500 looked like it was inspired by Disney, Cirque du Soleil and Timothy Leary in equal parts. It was clever, fast-paced, surreal at times and always imaginative.

Mostly, it was big, the type of spectacle normally reserved for millennium parties and Olympic opening ceremonies.

You can read his report in it’s entirety at that Globe and Mail website.

Just an almost last minute reminder for you all to not miss Welcome 500 Live event taking place on the official Fiat 500 Website this evening and Tomorrow morning.

The event in Fiat’s own words:

After more than a year of anticipation, the wait is almost over. The new 500 will be unveiled on July 4^th 2007. And for the first time, you will be able to take part in the launch with a live worldwide multi-media broadcast. So there’s no excuse for missing it!

You can follow the “Welcome 500” launch show on July 4^th, at 10.45 p.m. (GMT +1), live on Italian TV channel Canale 5, or via a special web streaming on the 500 wants you web site.

If you are in Turin, there will be maxi-screens installed in the city centre and in the Murazzi area where the show takes place. In addition, on Thursday July 5^th from 9.00 to 10.30 a.m. (GMT+1), you will be able to follow the press conference live on the web.

The only downside is the streaming service requires Windows Media Player, so not so easy for Mac users (which strikes us as a little odd, considering that Fiat want to be like Apple, and the 500 like the iPod).