Head To Head: Mini Cooper vs. Fiat 500

This week we take a closer look at two of the most iconic small cars of modern times: the Mini Cooper and the Fiat 500. With designs steeped in motoring heritage and tradition – and redesigns true to the original ethos, let’s go on a journey with these little cars of grand stature, from their inception to the models of today.

The evolution of an icon

Fiat 500
The 500 started out life in 1936 as the Topolino (the Italian nickname for Mickey Mouse), being one of the smallest cars in the world at the time. It began to take its more familiar shape in 1957 as the Nuova (new) 500 – the true Cinquecento: a cheap, practical vehicle, generally considered as one of the first ever city cars and redefining the term ‘small car’ due to its two-cylinder 479cc engine sub-three metre length. In the 18 years that it was in production, the Italian manufacturers produced just shy of 4 million worldwide demonstrating the significant success of the car, firmly positioning it as one of the most iconic cars of its time – and indeed, all time, too.

When Fiat launched the all-new 500 in 2007, 50 years after the Nuova was released, it grew into a heavier and larger shell than its 1957 predecessor. With its innovative, modern design the 500 experienced similar success to the original, achieving UK sales figures of over 100,000 units in less than 5 years. Not only had the driving public taken it to its heart, it garnered official praise too when in 2008 it won the European Car of the Year, Fiat’s first such award for over 40 years.

The Fiat 500 also captured the attention of global fashion brands Gucci and Diesel, who collaborated with the manufacturer to produce stylish, on-brand, chic limited editions. Top men’s magazine, GQ, also has its own special edition: the 500 GQ – looking suitably sharp in two-tone livery and leather interior. Other limited editions have included the Fiat 500 Pink Ribbon edition with proceeds benefitting the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, and the 500 BlackJack with ultra-cool matt black bodywork – one of which we have in stock at WVL now!

In 2012, Fiat launched the 500L: a much larger, 5-door version of the car to use the iconic ‘500’ label whilst tapping into the family market – and crucially to pitch a vehicle in direct competition with MINI’s Clubman and Countryman. And no true Italian marque line-up wouldn’t be complete without a convertible… cue the Fiat 500C with its fabulous roll-top roof, a direct nod to the nostalgia and feel-good factor of the original 500.

Did you know…? You can have a coffee machine as an optional extra in the new 500L.

MINI
Ever since the original Mini was launched in 1959 it has remained the quintessential British motoring icon. Designed by Sir Alec Issigonis in the mid to late 50s for the British Motor Corporation, the Mini would go on to become the most successful British car of all time with total sales of over 5.3million worldwide between 1959 and 2001.

His ground-breaking design, with its front wheel drive, transverse engine, sump gearbox, 10-inch wheels, and phenomenal space efficiency literally broke the mould, and captured the public’s imaginations in one swift stroke.

The MkI Mini produced between 1959-1967 experienced steady initial sales before picking up its success which ultimately saw over 1,190,000 units produced and becoming the first British car to reach one million sales. The original Mini continued production right up until the year 2000, with BMW assuming control of the BMC’s Rover Group (which owned the Mini label) in 1994, and set about its revamp and re-introduction.

In 2001 the new generation of MINI (note: now capitalised!) began production under BMW’s steerage, seeing a change in the design with an updated, modern image whilst going to great lengths to maintain MINI’s iconic status and core design. 2007’s revision to MKII was followed by diversification into a Coupe, a Roadster, a Countryman and a Paceman to broaden its target market.

There are many reasons why the Mini became such an iconic British symbol. Popular among celebrities during the swinging 60s – from Peter Sellers (whose ‘wicker-work’ Mini has been immortalised as a Corgi classic), mini-skirt designer Mary Quant along with Paul Smith and his stripes helping make the car something of a fashion statement, to its starring role in ‘The Italian Job,’ the infamous 1969 blockbuster seeing Michael Caine lead a trio of Minis (now restored) as getaway cars following a bank heist in Turin (featuring, quite topically, a fabulous scene on the test-track roof of the Lingotto – the city’s Fiat factory). The 2003 remake presented an updated story to go with the updated MINI, and with its all-star cast, the car’s iconic status was once again preserved in celluloid.

As the MINI evolved through the years many question whether each revision maintains the same character and iconic status as previous generations; some saying yes, others saying no – aficionados and purists claim that the MINI could never fill the Mini’s shoes. Whatever your view, one thing’s for sure: MINI’s popularity shows no sign of losing ground.

The all-new 2014 model – the third generation Cooper – is longer, broader and taller with some significant styling upgrades too. Early reviews are, of course, positive and despite the changes (including new engines and technologies) the car has “the same old appeal, the same character“.   Whilst the original Mini will always have a place in the nation’s heart, today’s safety requirements, environmental parameters and technological advances will always drive change. What’s for certain is that the new MINI is ready to attract a new generation of drivers and to secure the brand’s future for many more years to come.

Did you know…? Issigonis’ first design sketch for the Mini was drawn on a napkin in Switzerland. (Read more…)

Test Drives

Fiat 500
Being 6’4″ I presumed that my review of the Fiat 500 would be over before it had begun – wholly anticipating that the Fiat’s legroom would be less than a match for my legs. I was proven wrong! Very wrong, in fact, as the 500 provided a healthy amount of leg room for the driver in what is a deceptively spacious cabin. Anybody wanting to sit behind the driver’s seat with me at the wheel, however, wouldn’t be so lucky.

I couldn’t help but feel a great sense of excitement sitting in the 500. Everything about the car inspires a feeling of fun. The funky, quirky exterior, the high-mounted dashboard, the rounded stereo and climate controls, the in-your-face speedometer and even the interior door handles all seem to whisper to the driver, ‘Welcome. Get comfortable. Now let’s have some fun.’

As far as the drive goes it’s hard to find fault. The Fiat 500 BlackJack [NOW SOLD] that we have at WVL has a 1.2L engine, but 500s can be specified in engines up to 1.4L. Not substantially large, but given the car’s size and weight there’s enough power under the bonnet to zip you around town. Let it be noted however that this car is not best suited for motorway driving. If you regularly find yourself regularly enduring major motorway miles then perhaps the 500 is not for you. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a fun, energetic city car without poking too big a hole in your pocket (list prices start from £9,900, and there are great leasing deals to be had – call 01753 851561 or contact us for the best available prices) then book yourself on a Fiat 500 test drive today!

MINI
I, like many, have a long standing admiration for MINI that stems back to my early teens. By this reckoning you might expect my review to be drenched in gushing praise and compliments highlighting just how fantastic MINI is. Well, that’s exactly what this review is, not through the tinted glasses of a MINI enthusiast, but simply because MINI deserves all the praise that comes its way.

You just have to look at a MINI to appreciate its brilliance. From the moment you get into the car you immediately recognise that what you are sitting in is a piece of iconic British history. Much like the 500, everything about the interior has been meticulously designed to ensure you’re constantly reminded that what you’re sitting in is different to anything else on the market.

With a mixture of luxury, entertainment, sophistication, even novelty (albeit, acceptable novelty) MINI provides the perfect environment for just about any journey. It caters for young, for old, for male, for female; from school runs to cross-city dashes, shopping trips to motorway miles, the MINI is versatile enough to suit all your driving needs.

Price-wise, MINIs can slip into the high-end bracket for a hatchback (reaching a list price of nearly £25,000), but that’s only if you’re after the top spec., and basic models are a very affordable buy starting from £11,110.

Leasing, of course, gives you the best of both worlds: a new vehicle in your choice of spec. for a manageable, monthly payment!

Head To Head

Trying to differentiate between the MINI and the Fiat 500 is something of an impossible task. It’s like saying, “What’s better: Messi or Ronaldo? The Office or Fawlty Towers? Sauvignon or Rioja? Ant or Dec?” You can’t do it because it’s subjective. Personally, I feel much more at home in the MINI – but that’s just a personal opinion and shouldn’t take anything away from the greatness of the 500.

For drivers looking for a little more oomph under foot, both manufacturers have their own super-hot variants: MINI with its John Cooper Works models based on the Cooper S and delivering up to 211bhp, and Fiat with its souped-up, 135-160bhp Abarth models.

The reality is that you’ll scarcely find a driver of either car who would suggest that they’d prefer the alternative. 500 drivers love the 500, MINI drivers love the MINI and that’s the great thing about both of these mini-giants of the motoring world. Each has its own merits, each has very few negatives, and each makes their owner fall in love with it within the first few miles.

Contact us for Leasing options and the current best-available deals, or if you’re looking to purchase a vehicle, here are the details of the models we have in stock:

Our Vehicles

These cars mean business, too!

Early on, the MINI was recognised by estate agencies (most notably Foxtons) to be a tax-, budget- and fuel-efficient way promote their services on the move and win customers. The trend has caught on among an ever widening diversity of businesses – small and large – now with the Fiat 500 equally popular as a worthy rival in the efficiency and personality stakes. With their cheeky charm and small size, these cars are perfect for being branded-up with vinyls and wraps for high visibility mobile marketing at low cost.

Call us on 01753 851561 to discuss leasing one of these superminis… we’ll help you choose the perfect spec for you, your lifestyle or business, so you can start motoring with a single, manageable, monthly payment!