NF500 / london design

The new Fiat 500 will be making its UK public debut at next week’s Viva Italia exhibition in London. That is, of course, if you exclude the previous outing at London Design Week.

Full press release from Fiat follows below:

It’s fitting that Fiat should support and sponsor this sparkling event – Viva Italia is a celebration of the very best in Italian products, fashion, travel, entertainment and cuisine that go together to make Italy such a fascinating country. The show runs from Friday 5 October to Sunday 7 October at London’s National Hall, Olympia.

As well as two examples of the new Fiat 500, which has received an overwhelmingly positive reception from both the media and public, Fiat’s show stand will also exhibit the company’s successful new Grande Punto supermini, the Panda city car and the sporting new Bravo hatchback, launched here in July.

The sporting Grande Punto became Europe’s best-selling car after its international launch in 2005, and has proved very popular with UK buyers since its introduction here in early 2006. A large model range includes two petrol and two diesel engines, a choice of three or five doors, and eight trim levels. The car on display will feature an advanced new T-Jet 120bhp version, which has just gone on sale in the UK.

Fiat’s evergreen Panda provides a variety of engines and trim levels to offer something for everyone when it comes to town cars. Topped by the responsive 1.4-litre 16-valve 100HP variant, the broad range also includes a 4×4 version and a choice of economical petrol or diesel engines featuring ultra-low exhaust emissions.

Brought from drawing board to production in just 18 months, the mid-size Fiat Bravo hatchback has already created great interest and critical acclaim, and has just become available here with the 120bhp version of Fiat Group Automobiles’ new T-Jet engine, increasing the UK range size to 15 versions.

Viva Italia is the perfect show for all things Italian, and we are delighted and proud to be the main sponsor,

says Elena Bernardelli, Marketing Director, Fiat Group Automobiles UK Ltd.

The exhibition captures brilliantly the magic of Italy – and I believe the Fiat 500, which will be on our stand, captures the magic of modern day motoring.

The motor industry’s style icon of the moment – the stunning Fiat 500 – is all set for its first appearance at the London Design Festival in the UK’s capital.

The new 500, which represents Fiat’s manifesto for the future, has already set the motoring world alight, attracting critical acclaim from potential customers, enthusiasts and the media alike. And the London Design Festival, which runs until 25 September, will be a perfect backdrop to display the 500’s amazing poise and style to a new group of interested onlookers.

Designed at the Fiat Style Centre in Turin, a pearl white example of the 500 will be the focal point at ‘Tent London’ – one of the festival’s leading exhibitions, from 23-25 September. Based at the city’s famous Truman Brewery, a reclaimed industrial site in London’s Brick Lane, ‘Tent London’ will display a vast array of work including old and new design, art and architecture by emerging and established designers from around the world.

The 500 will be contained in a specially-built mirrored glass case that, every six seconds, flashes bright light to reveal the car inside. It’s a fitting show for the 500, a vehicle that is among the leading players in terms of automotive design.

Fiat is backing up the Tent London appearance with a sponsorship of the Financial Times Business of Design Breakfasts, running during the festival at the city’s famous Royal Festival Hall. Covering subjects such as design, branding, architecture and retail, the seminars will attract influential opinion-formers from the design and financial worlds. Delegates will learn about the 500 and receive a model of the car as a memento.

The London Design Festival is a wonderful opportunity for us to show our new 500 to even more people,

says Elena Bernardelli, Marketing Director, Fiat Group Automobiles UK Ltd.

The festival is quickly becoming one of the leading design events on the world calendar and we are delighted to be a part of it.