The Fiat 500, became an instant cult car, following its launch in 1957 and FIAT went on to sell over 4 million units of their sub-compact.
Almost simultaneously, yacht manufacturer Riva, created an authentic status symbol called the Aquarama speedboat, which embodied style, quality and craftsmanship, known like few others in the nautical world.
Now, soon to be available, is the Fiat 500 Riva, a car that combines the merits of the iconic 500 with the appeal of Riva speedboats. And there is more news…the all-new exclusive limited edition 500 Riva, will also be available as a convertible.
The Sera Blue bodywork, an exclusive colour created especially for this limited special series, is one of the most popular offered for the Aquariva Super, successor to the legendary Aquarama. The convertible will wearing a new blue top, while the black of the sedan’s panoramic roof makes it especially elegant. The 500 Riva is also embellished with unique details such as chrome-plated mirror caps, door handles and the bonnet trim that emphasises the streamline effect seen on Riva boats. A double aquamarine line running along the belt line enhances the soft profile of the 500.
Placing the Fiat 500 Riva on the road are all-new exclusive 20-spoke light alloy 16″ rims with a blue finish specially designed for this series. Riva branding can be found on the wheel arches, the wooden inserts on the side panel and dashboard plus the back of the car to distinguish it from lesser 500s.
On the insides, there is plenty of styling cues to remind one of the Aquariva Super yacht inpiration, the gear knob is carved from solid mahogany and the dashboard, also made of mahogany, has maple inlays. The central dashboard is crafted from hand-painted mahogany with maple inlay work, offers occupants the luxurious feeling of life on-board, as emphasised by the Riva logo. Mirroring the exclusive ambience of the Aquariva Super, the door sills and gear lever knob are carved from solid pieces of mahogany, while an exclusive ivory leather created by Poltrona Frau® was selected for the seats, with ivory stitching in a different tone on the piping. The seat side strips are Sera Blue, as are the profiles of the ivory coloured seatbelts. The floor mats have been created with ivory hems and contrasting Sera Blue stitching, and the boot mat also features a wood insert with Riva lettering.
Powering the Fiat 500 Riva, is a 1.4-litre in-line four-cylinder engine with MultiAir technology which is well suited for the sub-compact especially within city limits. It is linked to a 6-speed automatic transmission and Auto Stick. The motor at peak produces 100 hp at 6,500 rpm and 131 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm. The world’s first Fully Variable Valve Actuation (FVVA) system on a production engine helps the Fiat 500 achieve 10% greater fuel efficiency and power while decreasing CO2 emissions by up to 10%. Also known as MultiAir technology replaces a traditional overhead cam with four hydraulic solenoids for instantaneous air-fuel adjustment at any time in the engine cycle for maximum combustion efficiency and hence, power.
Safety is assured thanks to features like seven airbags (almost unknown for a car this compact), ABS complete with EBD (Electronic Brake Distribution), ESC (Electronic Stability Control), ASR (Anti Slip Regulation) Hill Holder (which assists the driver during hill starts) and HBA (Hydraulic Brake Assistance) that helps with emergency braking. Also included as standard are LED day-time lights and a personalised TFT screen with aquamarine background and Riva logo.
The dashboard also incorporates a 7-inch Uconnect HD touchscreen with tablet effect and HD resolution, as standard. The system also includes Bluetooth hands-free system, voice recognition, USB ports and a 3.5mm auxiliary jack.
The date and the pricing for the Fiat 500 Riva have not been disclosed, but it is definitely on its way. And if you are looking for an alternative to the MINI and its many “Agent Smiths”, it is definitely worth checking out.
