Why Fiat drivers’ other car really is a Ferrari

Jul 18 2008 by Andrew Melvin, South Wales Echo

FERRARI owners will be expected to swap their supercars for a humble Fiat 500 at least once a year in future.

Five score of the small city cars are being imported into Britain to act as courtesy cars for Ferrari owners who take theirs to a dealer for servicing.

It is part of a Europe-wide initiative in which 200 Fiat 500 models have been specially prepared in the legendary Ferrari red for the purpose.

The cars are based on the 1.4-litre Fiat 500 Sport, with sports tuning and exhaust modifications.

The engineering features are designed and produced by Magneti Marelli, which is a specialist components company within the Fiat Group that supplies hi-tech parts to both Fiat and Ferrari.

The shared sporty theme can be found in some details on the 500 such as red brake callipers, a sports pedal set, special black steering wheel with red stitching and 16-inch alloy wheels with 195/45 tyres.

Compared with the standard Sport version, the customised Fiat 500s have automatic climate control, an electric sunroof, a Frau leather interior, stereo, fog lights, a numbered plate on the dashboard and Limited Edition wording on the kick plates.