 Seicento,
or "600" in other words, was launched in Jan 1998 as a face-lifted
Cinquecento
(which means "500"). The Cinequecento had a successful life in Europe,
because it offers satisfying practicality, performance and quality at a
lowest ever price. In order to remain undercutting Ford Ka and Seat
Arosa,
Fiat decided to leave the mechanical parts unchanged, while hoping new
exterior and interior packaging could inject new image.
Undoubtedly, this disappointed car enthusiasts. However, Seicento is still a better overall car than Cinequecento, at least in the user point of view. The new exterior looks stylish, even more is the cabin - better plastic, better assemble, better controls, and even fake carbon-fiber centre control decoration show Fiat's effort in improving quality. Without altering the mechanical "hard points", the new packaging creates slightly more room. But the quality
is achieved
in the price of weight - he fastest version, Seicento Sport, gains 73
kg
over its predecessor. This result in smoother ride but worse
performance
( 0-60 mph takes 13.8sec compare with Cinequecento's 13.5 sec ).
Handling
agility and steering response is also deteriorated. The 1.1 litres Fire
engine is still unchanged at 54 horsepower and 63 lbft, still
sufficient
for such a small car but no longer deliver the excitement as
Cinequecento
Sporting because of the extra burden. |
| The above report was last updated in 1998. All Rights Reserved. |