21:13 15-11-2025

FIAT 600 at 70: legacy of an icon and its modern SUV

FIAT marked the 70th anniversary of the 600, one of the brand’s most prolific models. From 1955 to 1982, 4,939,642 units were built, and the car became a symbol of affordable mobility in post-war Europe. It was produced in Italy, Argentina, and Chile, and under license in Yugoslavia and Spain, where it was sold as the SEAT 600.

The original FIAT 600, engineered by Dante Giacosa, stood out for its straightforward layout: a compact body, a rear-mounted engine and transmission, and a practical cabin with removable seats. The formula feels obvious today, but in its era it was disarmingly effective—low-cost, easy to live with, and equally at home in tight city streets or on longer trips.

To mark the milestone, FIAT noted that the modern heir—the current FIAT 600—has been reimagined as a tech-forward compact SUV. It keeps subtle styling nods to the classic and is also offered in a more dynamic Abarth version. Recasting a household nameplate as an urban-friendly SUV feels like the natural move today, and the heritage cues help it land with credibility.

The updated FIAT 600 targets today’s expectations around sustainability and aligns with the push toward the best options in the city-car segment. The company stresses that the new format is meant to preserve the spirit of the original while adapting it to an increasingly electrified market. On paper, that brief makes sense: keep the accessibility and everyday usefulness that made the 600 matter, then translate it into contemporary terms.