Fiat 500 updated with new tech

Fiat has updated its popular 500 supermini for the 2016 model year.
While it's being touted as an 'all-new' model, you'd be hard pressed to tell the difference, as the styling has only been mildly altered, with new LED daytime running lights and a revised grille design. At the back there are new light clusters, while the reversing and fog lights have been relocated.

Fiat has extended the customisation options available on the outgoing model to include full body wraps, which the company is dubbing 'Second Skin'. It will allow buyers to entirely cover their car in vibrant patterns from army camouflage to tartan patterns. New alloy wheel designs and a wider choice of standard colours further enhance the opportunity for individualism.

The interior now plays host to an improved equipment tally, with Fiat's Uconnect infotainment system – complete with five-inch screen – taking centre stage on the body-colour-matching dashboard. What it controls is dependent on spec, with entry-level 'Pop' trim boasting just six speakers and a USB connection. Top-spec 'Lounge' models, however, get Bluetooth, digital radio and sat nav with TomTom connected traffic services.

Elsewhere, the cabin benefits from improved materials and seven airbags. Higher spec models also come with a TFT display in place of traditional analogue dials.

The entire engine range has been tweaked to improve fuel economy and emissions and includes the same 0.9-litre TwinAir unit (in 84bhp and 104bhp guises) as before, but is now capable of 74.3mpg. It is joined by a 94bhp 1.3-litre diesel and a 68bhp naturally aspirated 1.2-litre petrol, though both are yet to be confirmed for the UK market. All engines in the range now produce less than 100g/km, meaning road tax exemption under the current rules.

The refreshed Fiat 500 goes on sale in September, priced from £10,890.