Lake Bell Test Drives the Fiat 500

This short article first made an appearance within the November. 25 problem from the Hollywood Reporter magazine.our editor recommendsLos Angeles Auto Show Preview: Ford, Fiat, BMW, MitsubishiLake Bell Test Drives the 2012 Bentley Continental GTLake Bell Test Drives the Cadillac Carpal tunnel syndrome-V CoupeLake Bell Test Drives the Jaguar XKR Coupe After I was fifteen years old, I resided in Europe fora year. My proudest accomplishment was finding out how to say "Mi piace la pizza disadvantage funghi," meaning, "I love pizza with mushrooms" in Italian. This didn't bode well for my parents' plans for me personally, thinking about I had been residing in France to understand French. But alas, I had been an Italophile, which interest folded over into my style of cars. I wound up coming all my film taking photos of "classy" cars I dreamed possessing after i was raised to become a fancy adult. Most my photos were of -- employ heavy Italian accent here -- the FiatCinquecento. Why? Since it's so damn cute! It's scientifically proven that after you lay your vision on the 1969 Fiat Cinquecento, you have to emit just a little breathy giggle. So test-driving the 2012 Fiat 500 was an automotive coming-of-age moment. Wouldn't it satiate my nostalgia? And will be offering an update towards the classic shape, the Fiat 500's design is another perfect homage towards the past. But as the 500 is cute like a button -- and having a lot more than 30 mpg, it's an ideal fit for that fuel-consumption-conscious customer -- the pickup is modest at best. You're not really cutting people served by single.4-liter, four-cylinder engine. On the other hand, inside a vehicle that resembles a shiny dumpling, you won't have lots of street cred to start with. With only 101 horsepower, you shouldn't be purchasing this vehicle for that energy. In the end, the Fiat 500 may be the essential city vehicle, coming initially from within the nineteen fifties like a cheap postwar means to fix urban transport. You are able to park anywhere. Literally. Normally I dispise carting in the Hollywood Hillsides in anything larger than my Small since the roads are extremely mangled and tight -- it's like Europe but with no romance. However the Fiat takes all of the angst from the process. Large, body fat Sports utility vehicles and Mercedes sedans clumsily attempt to navigate the veins from the canyons, as the Fiat showcases its remarkably forgiving suspension, tucking into corners with aplomb. Regardless of the Fiat's minuscule size, its interior is spacious, although slightly similar to a minivan. Its user-friendly ergonomics really are a plus, and also the liberal use of hard plastics is excused through the 500's optional two-tone leather seats along with a Bose stereo system system that turns this small container machine right into a four-wheeled boom box. Pretty good for any chic ride having a $15,500 base cost along with a great spontaneity. But make no mistake: There's little testosterone both in the look and specs from the Fiat 500. The only method a guy could drive this vehicle is within a Fellini film. That's not sexist it's simply not the ླྀs. This can be a lady's vehicle. Particularly, a lady much like me. 15 years later, the allure stands up.Mi piace la Fiat Cinquecento. Related Subjects Lake Bell