Lady bug: Fiat 500C

How do you take something that's already wonderful and make it better? In the motoring world, a sure-fire way to crank up the appeal is to saw the roof off. There's a lot more to it than that of course, and not every car would benefit from such a transformation. But the promise of fresh air and sunshine sure does spike up the fun factor.

So apply that formula of pleasure to something as fun as the Fiat 500, and you have a winner. The 500 has already won the hearts and minds of European buyers and proved to be just the sort of fashionable small car that people really want to own. No surprise then that, along with the hot Abarth version, there's now a drop-top too.

True to its roots

Dubbed the 500C, it doesn't throw away its heritage in the pursuit of a folding roof. Those with long enough memories will remember that the original Fiat 500 Convertible retained its side pillars just as the new car does, and the roof folded all the way to the bootlid. So the new 500C does exactly the same, although here you have the benefit of electric assistance.

The roof itself is a clever piece of kit. Integrated into its soft top (available in a choice of colours) is a neat little roof spoiler with the third brake light cleverly built in. You can open it halfway like a big sunroof, back as far as the rear screen, or all the way back, either by pressing the button by the rear-view mirror or on the key fob. It also works up to 60kph so you can retract it on the go and a smart bit of electro-trickery moves the base of the hood out of the way, leaving you with plenty of access to the boot even with the roof down.

It's clear that a great deal of effort has been spent to make the 500C practical as well as fun - the drag coefficient, a crucial factor in economy, is barely changed over the hatchback version, and the boot offers only three litres less storage. Once behind the wheel, there's little obvious compromise in terms of comfort too. Forget the flimsy fabric roofs of the past: modern convertibles with proper multi-layer hoods like the 500C offer refinement close to that of metal-roofed cars, and if it wasn't for the appealing trim above you, much of the time you wouldn't even notice.

But driving a convertible with the roof up in good weather is an act of treason, and it takes very little effort to unwrap it. A single button punch moves the roof as far as the rear screen, and this position gives you a happy mix of fresh air and rear visibility. Go all the way back and you get the maximum sensation of your surroundings, but lose a decent view out of the back. However, you can see enough in the side mirrors, and rear parking sensors can be specced on the options list.

What's even more appealing however, is that the addition of the folding roof seems to suit the character of the 500 down to the ground. Sure, it's a bit girly and the hatchback model is already a bag of fun, but with the convertible roof, all your cares seem to go away. It's helped of course by the rest of the car: the cabin remains a delight and a wisely-chosen colour scheme gives it the feel of a considerably more expensive car. Especially in this form, the 500 has class way above its price tag.

The driving experience hasn't suffered at the expense of looks either. The idea of a four-cylinder diesel unit in a drop-top might seem foolish, even in Europe, but its impressive refinement means you're rarely aware of it. The 1.4-litre petrol engine is great though, with ample torque perfect for the relaxed driving style that a convertible roof encourages. Yet it can punch its way to 100kph from standstill in 10.5secs. You can even see 50mpg on the digital display, with some sensible throttle work.

Unlike the bad old days of convertibles, removing the roof hasn't come at the expense of a rigid and safe bodyshell. It still feels solid and secure from behind the wheel, and the occasional shake over a bad bump is not enough to bother you or your occupants - you'll be too busy enjoying yourself.

The 500C has a few obvious rivals, but they just can't match the charm and character displayed by the little Fiat. It's also a bargain in its base spec, but the most desirable cars are those with lots of option boxes ticked. One thing isn't on the options list though, because smugness comes as standard.

Specs

• Model: 500C
• Engine: 1.4-litre
• Transmission: Six-speed manual
• Max power: 100bhp @ 6,000rpm
• Max torque: 131Nm @ 4,250rpm
• Top speed: 182kph
• 0-100kph: 10.5secs
• Price: NA
• Plus: Cheeky and fun, if a bit girly
• Minus: Try buying one here