WHERE would Fiat be without the 500? It's other models haven't exactly set the world alight in the past eight years.

The Panda has done good business, but the Punto and the Bravo have underperformed and the Croma sank without a trace.

So thank goodness for the 500.

In eight years Fiat managed to shift more than 1.5 million of them - making it the most successful Fiat since the Uno.

So it better not stuff up the 500's replacement.

Although more than 1,800 changes have been ordered, this is more of a facelift than a new model, no matter how much Fiat would have us believe this is the 'new' 500.

That's why it retains the same cute looks that made the first one a global best-seller and hasn’t grown in size. Instead Fiat insists it has grown in maturity with advanced technologies, improved efficiency and even more customisation options.

So what of the facelift? At the front the 500 retains the “face” of its predecessors with headlights which are still circular in shape but now adopt innovative polyellptical modules for improved night vision and extra safety. These clusters integrate the dipped-beam headlamps and turn signals, while lower light cluster integrates the main beam headlights and LED daytime running lights, which adopt the circular profile of the lamp to graphically reproduces the zeros of 500.

The bonnet retains its distinctive, traditional clamshell form, another nod to its predecessor, while the trapezoidal nose gets more pronounced ribbing and the auxiliary air vent is now fed via a three-dimensional grille (with chrome-effect buttons on the Lounge version) flanked by chrome brightwork.

New 'empty' light clusters, comprised of ring-shaped structures with body-coloured centres, define the revised look of the rear, with the fog light and reversing light relocated to the edges of the redesigned bumper trim to improve safety by separating illumination functions.

Naturally there are new alloy wheels (a cheap upgrade). Pop Star and Lounge models have 15-inch alloy wheels as standard (a £320 option on Pop models) with 16-inch wheels available as a £370 option on Pop models and a £130 upgrade option on Pop Star and Lounge models. An elegant, new diamond-cut design is also available across the range priced from £350 on Pop models or as a £150 upgrade on the rest of the range.

The colour palette now totals 13 hues, including seven special pastel shades and five metallic colours (a £460 option).

The interior of the FIAT 500 also benefits from numerous enhancements, most noticeably in terms of its dashboard design which now integrates advanced infotainment across the range. The unit is not only easier to read and more intuitive to use, it also improves connectivity and functionality with steering wheel remote controls and USB / Aux-in ports on all models.

The Lounge version is equipped with the Radio LIVE system which is a touchscreen unit complete with Bluetooth hands-free calling and music streaming; voice recognition and an SMS reader for reading text messages received on compatible telephones. It is available as a £250 option and DAB digital radio is also available with this unit for an additional £100.

For the first time on the FIAT 500, an integrated system with voice-activated TomTom satellite navigation is available as a £600 option on Pop and Pop Star models (including Bluetooth connectivity and DAB) and as a £350 upgrade for Lounge models (including DAB).

For added safety and convenience, the system can be operated via a new steering wheel which features new remote control buttons which are easier to operate and, thanks to their chrome-plated edging and high-quality materials, more pleasant to touch and to behold.

The circular instrument cluster, with analogue dials for speed and engine revs and digital secondary gauges, is retained for Pop and Pop Star models, while the innovative seven-inch TFT display, developed in collaboration with Magneti Marelli, is a £250 option on the Lounge version.

The front seats adopt a more ergonomic shape and the interior upholstery is available in nine colour combinations with contrasting “crescent” upper portions and head restraints in black or ivory eco-leather. Black, bordeaux or tobacco Frau leather upholstery is also available (depending on model), with embroidered 500 logos on the crescent and contrasting bolster accents.

Further enhancements include a new lidded glove box on the passenger's side and a revised centre console with new cup holders and a relocated 12V power socket. New electric window switches, which adopt a push-down-pull-up operation, complete the visible interior revisions, while additional soundproofing panels in the wheelhouse and firewall making the passenger compartment even more comfortable and refined.

The engine line-up available at launch include the 1.2 litre 69hp, the TwinAir 85hp and the TwinAir 105hp.

The smallest TwinAir has an official fuel consumption figure of 74.3 mpg on the combined cycle with CO2 emissions of 90g/km (74.3 mpg and 88g/km with the Dualogic automatic transmission). The 1.2-litre 69hp has a combined fuel efficiency figure of 60.1mpg and CO2 emissions of 110g/km while the top-of-the-range TwinAir 0.9 105hp manages 67.3 mpg with emissions of 99g/km.

It will be interesting to see if the TwinAir can achieve similarly impressive fuel consumption figures in the real world (a criticism of the earlier TwinAir engine).

In terms of performance, 500/500C models equipped with the 69hp, 102Nm 1.2-litre engine can accelerate to 62mph in 12.9 seconds and reach 99mph, while those powered by the TwinAir 0.9-litre 85hp, 145Nm engine can reach 62mph in 11.0 seconds and 107mph. The top TwinAir 0.9-litre 105hp, 145Nm engine, equipped with a six-speed manual gearbox, can propel the FIAT 500 to 62mph in 10.0 seconds and on to a top speed of 117mph.

The New FIAT 500 will be available with three trim levels – Pop, Pop Star and Lounge – and in hatchback and convertible versions.

Standard equipment across the range includes seven airbags; remote central locking; electric front windows; electric mirrors; Uconnect™ Radio with six speakers, AUX-IN and USB ports; steering wheel remote controls; Start & Stop; a space-saver spare wheel and LED daytime running lights. A fully-electric convertible roof with heated glass rear screen is standard on all 500C models.

Key options on the entry-level Pop version include air conditioning (£530); a fixed glass sunroof with sunblind (£320); rear parking sensors (£270); alloy wheels (from £320); a leather-trimmed steering wheel (£110) and a Uconnect™ upgrade with touchscreen functionality and Bluetooth connectivity (£250), DAB (plus an additional £100) and TomTom satellite navigation (plus an additional £250).

The Pop Star version adds air conditioning, body-coloured mirror caps with defrosting function, 15-inch alloy wheels (code 4WQ) and a 50/50 split folding rear seat with adjustable rear headrests. Useful options on the Pop Star version include front fog lamps (£160), body-colour side rubbing strips (£110), 16-inch alloy wheels (£180 upgrade), Dualogic robotised manual gearbox (£750) with paddle shifters (an additional £110) and a windstop on convertible versions (£160).

The Lounge model adds luxury equipment including a panoramic glass sunroof; rear parking sensors; a leather-trimmed steering wheel; front fog lights; chrome front grille, specific 15-inch alloy wheels (code 74B) and a touchscreen Uconnect™ infotainment system with Bluetooth connectivity as standard. Exclusive Lounge options include automatic climate control (£270); a leather interior (£780); dark tinted rear windows (£160); bi-xenon headlamps (£610); an electric tilt-and-slide sunroof (£260 upgrade to standard fixed glass roof) and the seven-inch TFT instrument cluster (£250).

A full range of Mopar accessories is also available from launch, including vintage-style wheel trims; a range of alloy wheels with different designs, colours and finishes; mirror caps either in chrome-effect or painted in a variety of colours; distinctive side badges; chrome roof mouldings; rear spoiler and a range of decals for sides and the roof. A tailgate rack is also available with two systems for transporting winter sports equipment, like skis and snowboards.

New customisation kits with original roof wraps and mirror caps will also be available. Five colours are available: microcarbon black, matt silver, matt titanium, military green and jeans. The microcarbon black and military green variants also extend to the dashboard to pick up the special exterior inside the car.

The new FIAT 500 will go on sale in the UK in early September with prices starting at just £10,890 OTR. For images and the latest news on the New FIAT 500 and other models in the FIAT range visit