Fiat 500C: Convertible Version Unveiled ahead of Geneva Show

These are the first official photos of the new Fiat 500C, a rag-top convertible version of Fiat's highly successful retro-mini due to be revealed at the Geneva Motor Show in early March with sales expected to start in Europe in the spring of 2009. The 500C is said to pay homage to the open-top 1957 model, which translates to a sliding back canvas rooftop that stretches out to the rear hatch window.

Available in three colors (ivory, red and black), the soft top will be matched with several body colors, two of which have been designed specifically for the 500C in a Pearl Red and a Warm Grey.

While it may not offer the same open-sky experience as the MINI Convertible, Fiat's solution will help to keep the 500C's price down making it one of the most affordable cabriolets in the European market.

The new 500C is exactly the same size as the basic model (3.55 m x 1.65 m x 1.49 m), and as you may have already guessed, it will be offered with the the same three powerplants: 1.3-litre 75HP MultiJet Turbodiesel coupled to a 5-speed manual transmission, and the two 1.2-litre 69HP and 1.4-litre 100HP petrol engines, available with either manual or robotised Dualogic transmission.