2016 Fiat 500S launched

Fiat has launched the new 500S, a sportily styled variant of the regular 500 hatch. The model was first revealed at the Geneva motor show and is now on sale.

Despite the 500X and 500L being separate models to the 500, the 500S is marked out by sportier bumpers, alloys and bodywork, as well as a host of interior upgrades.

Engines are shared with the rest of the 500 range, with the cheapest 500S using the 68bhp 1.2-litre engine. The range is topped by the 94bhp 1.3 MultiJet II diesel, which costs £15,350. It’s also the most frugal car in the range, according to Fiat’s figures, returning 83.1mpg combined and CO2 emissions of 89g/km.

The 104bhp 0.9-litre Twinair is the most powerful and fastest in the 500S line-up, with a 0-62mph time of 10sec and a top speed of 117mph.

In addition to more aggressive front and rear bumpers, the 500S has black-painted 15in or 16in alloys, a rear spoiler, side skirts and two exclusive colours – bright blue and matt green. Much of the exterior trim is also finished to match the alloys.

Below the 500S sits above Lounge trim in the 500 line-up, a specification that costs several hundred pounds less. The 500S shares much of its equipment list with lounge trim, which includes Fiat’s 7in UConnect infotainment system, front foglights and rear parking sensors.

Tinted rear windows, colour interior trim panels on the doors, sports seats and a black roof liner also mark out the 500S. TomTom sat-nav is a £250 option, while an optional seven-speaker BeatsAudio sound system, which is brand new to the 500 range, costs an extra £300.

The upgrade from 500S hatch to 500S Convertible costs £2650, meaning the cheapest 500S convertible starts at £15,600. The most expensive tops the range at £18,000.

The 500S should prove to be a decent seller among the 500 range; the previous 500S accounted for around 25% of sales of the previous 500, according to a Fiat spokesperson.