Midrand, South Africa – The iconic Fiat 500, launched in 1957, strongly contributed to motorising Italy and quickly became a cult model with over four million units sold. Those were the years of La Dolce Vita, during which the country was rapidly evolving and restarting with dynamic vigour and enthusiasm. The legendary 500 went beyond meeting the growing need for mobility and accessibility, and expressed the deep-seated zest for life of an entire generation. The same expression of vitality was projected during this time by Aquarama, the Riva speedboat synonymous with elegance and perfection. An authentic status symbol, made of premium quality materials, meticulously executed detailing and maximum craft expertise.
Designed in partnership with the Riva shipyard, the limited edition Fiat 500 Riva has been crafted with an exclusive series; only 20 units have been allocated for the South African market. Unique in appearance and refined details, replicating the legendary nautical brand, Fiat 500 Riva is synonymous with elegance and Italian taste. Interior style is expressed with the inclusion of the mahogany dashboard featuring maple inlays, as well as the gear knob, carved from solid mahogany. These superior finishes, used to make Riva yachts and normally the privilege of premium cars, has been re-interpreted on Fiat 500 through the combination of sophisticated technology and expert craftsmanship.
The iconic Fiat 500 blends with the timeless allure of Riva, to produce a car that combines the style and design features of both brands, and symbolises outstanding Italian beauty.
Available in hatchback or convertible, the Fiat 500 Riva expresses unmistakable style with attention to detail, turning any trip into an exclusive cruise.
A car born at sea to seduce the city
Buyers of the Fiat 500 Riva are motoring purists seeking on dry-land the same exclusivity of the Aquariva Super yacht – the current Riva icon -and the accessibility that has made the Fiat 500 the icon it is today: quality materials and a unique style featuring the emotions of a cruise on everyday city streets.
The “Sera Blue” bodywork, an exclusive colour for this limited edition, is one of the most highly sought after palettes offered for the Aquariva Super, the Italian shipyard’s symbolic yacht and successor to the legendary Aquarama.
The convertible version boasts a new blue soft-top, created exclusively for this model, whilst the black of the hatchback’s panoramic roof creates an elegant statement of its own.
Unique details embellish the livery; chrome mirror caps, door handles and the bonnet trim emphasise the streamlined style in perfect harmony with Riva boats. A double aquamarine stripe running along the belt line enhances the profile of the Fiat 500 and recalls the beautiful lines of a yacht. The car also features brand new and exclusive 16″ 20-spoke light alloy rims with a blue finish, designed specifically for this model. The Riva name has been included on the bonnet, the wheel arch and on the wooden insert on the side moulding.
Emotions and comfort on-board
Inside, the central dashboard, in hand-painted mahogany with maple inlays, offers the occupants the luxurious warmth of life on-board, as emphasised by the Riva logo. An innovative engineering process was implemented to make the dashboard: the wood is applied onto an ultralight carbon shell to ensure stability, flexibility and perfect strength over time. The maple inlays are inserted by hand making each creation truly unique. Wood – the most natural of materials – meets state-of-the-art technology for absolute excellence, just like on Riva yachts: the perfect combination of ultimate technology and expert craftsmanship.
The door sills and gear lever knob are also made of mahogany, while for the seats an exclusive ivory leather created by Poltrona Frau® has been selected, with ivory stitching in a different tone on the Sera blue seat piping and ivory tone seatbelts. The colours and materials recall the exclusive ambience of Aquariva Super, ensuring dynamism and comfort.
The attention to detail can be seen everywhere, in a coherent and elegant colour palette. The unique interior mats feature ivory hems and contrasting “Sera Blue” stitching, along with the boot mat that also features a wood insert with Riva lettering.
Eco-friendly engines
The new Fiat 500 Riva is powered by Fiat’s unique Euro 6 TwinAir 900cm3 two-cylinder engine with 62.5kW. The TwinAir engine features CO2 emissions of only 92 g/km (88 g/km with MTA), maximising benefits for the environment and your pocket.
Drive is transferred to the front wheels through a 5-speed manual transmission or an optional MTA automatic transmission.
Comfort, safety and infotainment
The Fiat 500 Riva offers buyers an extensive range of on-board equipment. As well as the aesthetic details that make it unique, the 500 Riva ensures safety thanks to seven airbags, ABS complete with EBD (Electronic Brake Distribution), ESC (Electronic Stability Control), ASR (Anti Slip Regulation) Hill Holder, which assists the driver during hill starts, and HBA (Hydraulic Brake Assistance) that helps with emergency braking. Also included as standard is air-conditioning, fog lights, LED day-time running lights and a personalised TFT screen for the speedometer and driving instruments with aquamarine background and Riva logo. The car’s dashboard delivers a fully-digital driving experience that retains the classic 500 instrument layout, complete with circular cluster and round buttons.
In addition, the dashboard incorporates a UconnectTM 5″ radio featuring a wide range of functions, including built-in navigation, Bluetooth hands-free system, voice recognition and plenty of music options, in addition to FM/AM radio. The driver can connect multimedia devices via USB or using the 3.5mm auxiliary jack, or stream music from a compatible smartphone using Bluetooth..
Fiat 500 Riva is available immediately from Fiat dealerships nationwide and retails for R267,900.00 for the hatchback and R303,900.00 for the convertible, and features a 3 year/100,000 km warranty and maintenance plan.
