In case Oprah Winfrey decides to do another car giveaway in the near future, she’s going to have a tough time beating out what Fiat and an Italian supermarket chain known as Esselunga. Together, the two Italian companies did something that earned a place in the Guinness Book of World Records: they gave away a staggering 1,495 Fiat 500s as part of Esselunga’s 60th anniversary, a staggering total made even more impressive by the fact that all these models are actually special editions in their own right.
Winners of the Essalunga-hosted competition all dropped to Fiat’s Mirafiori plant to take delivery of their new special edition 500 models, referred to officially as the Fiat 500 Essalunga. The model is based on the 69-horsepower, 1.2-liter variant of the Fiat 500 and comes with an exclusive Pastel White body paint finish, an Ivory-dressed interior, and a set of 14-inch wheels. In addition to these features, the car also receives a trove of equipment, including seven airbags, climate control, Uconnect 5 infotainment system, AUX-IN and USB ports, steering wheel controls, and LED daytime running lights. Needless to say, all 1,495 cars that were part of the giveaway at the Fiat plant were collected in less than two days by grateful owners from all over Italy. I’d be grateful too if was part of that list.
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Fiat has a long history of creating special editions and one-off models based on the 500
Good for Fiat to partake in this giveaway with Italian supermarket chain Essalunga. Not only was it successful in celebrating the latter’s 60th anniversary, but it also played a big part in entering the Guinness Book of World Records. The company didn’t explicitly say what record it actually broke in its press release, but it does appear to involve handing over the most vehicles classified as “give-aways.” Either way, I can imagine the excitement and giddiness of those new Fiat 500 owners. Not only do they get a car, but they get a special edition car at that.
Speaking of which, fans of Fiat aren’t exactly new to the concept of special edition or one-off 500s. The Italian automaker has a long and storied history of partaking in these endeavors, and in just the past few years, we’ve seen some of them released either as one-offs or special editions.
Fiat 500 Paco Rabanne Edition
note: photo of the Fiat 500 Paco Rabanne Edition.
Created in partnership with the famed perfumer, the Fiat 500 Paco Rabanne Edition was unveiled in December 2016 in a resplendent gold finish. The actual name of the body color is “Metallic Sun Gold”, and it certainly lived up to the name because of its obnoxiously shiny metallic look. The gold treatment even extended to the front grille and the wheels while added pinstriping added another layer of Paco Rabanne’s personality into the hatchback. Suffice to say; there aren’t that many one-off 500s that can come close to approaching the level of flamboyance as the 500 Paco Rabanne Edition.
Read the full review here.
Fiat 500 Ron Arad Edition
Much less conspicuous than the 500 Paco Rabanne Edition, but no less attention-grabbing was the 500 Ron Arad Edition. Unveiled in October 2014, the one-off 500 was inspired by the internationally celebrated fashion designer. As you can expect, the one-off 500 was brimming with fashion-centric cues, none more prominent than the black-and-white body color that resembles that of a tuxedo. It also has a white headliner and more prominently, a white outline of the 1957 Fiat 500, known among Fiat enthusiasts as the "Cinquino."
Read the full review here.
Fiat 500 “I Defend Gala 2015” Edition
While we’re here talking about flamboyant Fiat 500 one-offs, let’s not forget about the 500 “I Defend Gala 2015” Edition. Designed by "Umbrian master craftsman" Stefano Conticelli, this one-off 500 was influenced, believe it or not, by Riva yachts. It features a Bossa Nova White body finish, a red soft-top roof, actual Italian calfskin on the body of the car, and oak paneling on the rearview mirrors. There’s even a picnic basket hanging off of its back for God knows what reason. If there was ever a one-off Fiat 500 that may have gone a little too far in taking its inspiration a little too literally, it has to be the I Defend Gala 2015 Edition. That or Conticello actually thought this 500 could travel the high seas.
Read the full review here.
Fiat 500 GQ Edition
Now let’s go back to a special edition Fiat 500 that’s a little more understated in appearance. The Fiat 500 GQ Edition that was presented back in August 2013 certainly qualifies under that description. In fact, this LE 500 may have leaned too far to the side of bland and boring by a featuring a white body and a black roof. The good news was that where it lacked in eye-catching aesthetics, it more than made up for it with its aerodynamic additions. For instance, it came with larger air intakes, a cloth-top mounted spoiler, and a different diffuser compared to the standard model. The styling of the car does get a lot better in the interior where Fiat dressed it up nice and clean with plenty of Nero leather and Alcantara, not to mention a contrasting Steam (white) inner leather ring, and the cluster brow with Tungsten accent stitching.
Read the full review here.
Fiat 500 Le Petite Robe Noire Edition
The Fiat 500 Le Petite Robe Noire, which the Italian automaker created in partnership with French perfume house Guerlain, was yet another special edition 500 that couldn’t seem to escape the all-white body treatment from the Italian automaker. Launched in 2014, very little about this supposed special edition can be seen on the body, apart from the tinted rear windows, bi-xenon headlamps, and a rear wing that features a silhouette created by Kuntzel+Deygas. The good news was that whoever purchased any of the 250 units that were made available received a 100-ml bottle of the La Petite Robe Noire perfume, as well as a makeup kit that includes 30 ml of Velvet Body Milk, black mascara, nail lacquer and Terracotta 4 Seasons in Tint Nude powder.
Read the full review here.
Fiat 500 Gucci Edition
Arguably the best looking among all special edition and one-off Fiat 500s that we’ve seen in a while is the 500 Gucci Edition, which Fiat launched all the back in 2010. We already know who Gucci is so let’s skip the formalities on that end. What we do get is a car that could have been ordered in either Gucci Nero or Gucci Bianco exterior paints with a new Nero monotone interior trim. The real highlight of the special edition 500 was the signature Gucci Verde/Rosso/Verde (green/red/green) web stripe running along the entire side body. In addition, the hatchback’s instrument panel and the seats were wrapped in Ooltrona Frau leather with signature "Guccissima" print, while the door panels and the hand-stitched, leather-wrapped steering wheel received Premium Nero accents.
Read the full review here.