Fiat 500 Cult special edition revealed

The top-of-the-range Fiat 500 Cult will lead the Fiat 500 range, as the Italian company announces a range of revisions aimed at keeping the car fresh before the new model arrives in 2016. The special edition model is available both as a hatchback and as a fabric-roofed convertible, and goes on show at next week's Geneva Motor Show.

The Fiat 500 Cult establishes itself at the top of the Fiat 500 range thanks to a jam-packed equipment list. The most obvious additions can be seen on the outside, and include a glossy-black/glass roof, glossy-black surrounds for the rear lights, chrome detailing for the wing mirrors, and 16-inch alloy wheels.

The interior gets leather seats, which can be specced in Black (with Ivory or Red inserts), while the Tobacco and Red leather interior options come with Ivory leather inserts only.

The Cult’s interior comes loaded with kit, the most prominent new item being the centrally-mounted 7-inch TFT screen, which is now available on all but the basic Fiat 500. It will display things like the stereo controls and guidance information (when the car is fitted with the optional TomTom sat-nav). The Cult also gets things like rear-parking sensors, automatic climate control, a fixed glass sunroof, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, and Fiat’s Blue&Me Bluetooth phone connection.

The 500 Cult is available with the same engines that feature on the rest of the range, including the 68bhp 1.2-litre, and 84bhp 0.9-litre petrols – both are available with Fiat’s Dualogic automatic gearbox. The 94bhp 1.3-litre is the only diesel option.

New to the range is the 104bhp, 0.9-litre TwinAir petrol. It has road-tax busting CO2 emissions of 99g/km, while economy is also impressive at 64mpg. Best of all, the engine also gives decent performance, with a top speed of 117mph and 0-62mph taking 10 seconds.

Although the Fiat 500 Cult is the highlight of the refreshed range, 2014 brings a host of revisions across the line-up. New paint options include Lattementa Green, Three-layer White and Italia Blue (exclusive to the S trim). Three new alloy-wheel designs have been introduced, too, and they come in either 15 or 16-inch form, depending on the model. New fabric and leather interiors complete the model’s refresh.

From now on, Fiat 500s will also benefit from a range of Mopar options, which aim to make the car even more customisable. They include everything from unique wing mirror finishes to valve-cover caps, and lifetime servicing plans.

Since entering production in 2007, the Fiat 500 has been a runaway success, heralding Fiat’s return to the lucrative US market, while last month it was crowned Europe’s top-selling A-segment car.

The revised Fiat 500 range will go on sale in mid-April, with prices set to be similar to the current models. Although Fiat couldn’t confirm prices for the new Fiat 500 Cult, we expect the 104bhp version to be priced at around £15,000.

To view the latest reviews and videos from the current Fiat range, visit the Carbuyer Fiat reviews page.