Page 1
THE FIAT 500 IS “AUTO EUROPA 2008"
The Fiat 500 has been voted winner of "Auto Europa 2008",the most important motoring accolade awarded by the Italian media, the second major award collected by the 500 in a week.
Established in 1987and organized by the Italian Union of Automotive Journalists (Uiga), the prize is awarded to the car built and sold in Europe that offers the best combination of technology, pricing and style for the final consumer. The vote attributed 640 points to the new super-compact from Fiat, placing it ahead of the Kia Ceèd (408) and the Peugeot 308 (325).
The official prize-giving ceremony will be held next Spring during the annual Uiga meeting. This is the tenth car from Fiat Group Automobiles to receive the title of “Auto Europa”. Previous winners have been the Alfa 164 (1988), Fiat Tipo (1989), Fiat Cinquecento (1993), Fiat Punto (1995), Fiat Bravo/Brava (1996), Alfa Romeo 156 (1998), Alfa Romeo 166 (1999), Fiat Panda (2004) and the Fiat Grande Punto (2007).
This award adds to the already impressive array of prizes under the Fiat 500’s belt, namely: "Car of the Year 2008", “EuroCarBody 2007” and “World’s Most Beautiful Car”. The COTY award was secured with a total of 385 points attributed by a panel of 58 specialist journalists representing 22 European countries. This is only the second time that an A-segment model has won this award – the first being the Fiat Panda in 2004. The title of “EuroCarBody 2007”, the most important prize worldwide for car bodies, is attributed by a total of approximately 600 specialists from 15 international carmakers, all of them experts in bodywork engineering, materials, processes and production. Lastly, the “World’s most Beautiful Car” award was given to the Fiat 500 by an international panel of design and visual arts experts. With the maximum score possible of 18 points, the Fiat 500 won the “City cars and small cars” category for expressing “a return to the sculptural values of the golden age of car design”. The same prize was also awarded to the Fiat Bravo, in the “medium saloon” category.
These prestigious accolades for the Fiat 500 join two other important prizes recently awarded by the international press to the Fiat Punto and Scudo. Just a few months after its Latin American launch, the Punto was voted “Auto Interamericana 2008” by the Interamerican Federation of Automotive Periodicals (FIPA), consisting of 63 journalists from 19 American nations, including Brazil and the US. Similarly, the Scudo has also been enjoying an extraordinary success, and has been voted “International Van of the Year 2008” – with 108 out of a possible 140 points – by a panel of journalists from 20 European nations specialised in light commercial vehicles.
(ends)
Editor’s Notes:
-The new Fiat 500 will be launched in Australia in March 2007
-Australian dealers have already started taking orders for the new 500 and the deliveries for the two months are already sold out.
-The Australian model will take the 1.2 and 1.4 litre petrol engines as well as the 1.3 JTD Turbo Diesel. Manual and Dualogic robotized manual gearboxes will be available
-Three Trim Levels will be available, Pop, Sport and Lounge.
-Pricing is from mid-low 20s to the mid-upper 20s.
For further information:
Fiat media web site:
David Stone / Edward RoweGeneral Manager ~ Fiat Cars / Public Relations Manager
Ateco Automotive Pty Ltd / Ateco Automotive Pty Ltd
Ph: (02) 9701 8040 / Ph: (02) 9701 8015
Mob: 0407 166 156 / Mob: 0407 913 244
Fax: (02) 9701 3544 / Fax: (02) 9701 3555
E-mail: / E-mail:
Fiat Media web site:
If this material contained within this releases is not relevant to your purpose you may wish to prevent further deliveries. If so, please hit ‘forward’ on your e-mail, send the e-mail to and place “Remove from Mailing List” in the Subject Line.
Release Number: 207fiat-AU
Date of Issue: 4 December 2018. Time of Issue: 22:34:40