There will be cars at the Melbourne International Motor Show claiming to be faster, some bigger, some more important, but none will be as cute, as small or wearing the Car of the Year badge.

There will be cars at the Melbourne International Motor Show claiming to be faster, some bigger, some more important, but none will be as cute, as small or wearing the 2008 European Car of the Year badge like the Fiat 500 which, after months of fevered anticipation, will make its Australian debut on 29 February 2008.

“Preparing for the arrival of the Fiat 500 in Australia is like being at the centre of whirlwind,” says David Stone, General Manager for Fiat Cars in Australia. “We have been under siege from dealers and customers alike, wanting to place orders and to be the first to have a Fiat 500. At the same time we have been working flat out to try and get additional supply for the Australian market and arranging for the Fiat 500 to make its world race track debut in Celebrity Challenge at the 2008 FORMULA 1 ING Australian Grand Prix on 16 March, just days after the car is revealed at the Melbourne Motor Show.”

“But, at the same time is easy to understand why there is so much interest and excitement about the arrival of the new Fiat 500,” explains Mr Stone. “The original Fiat 500 was a phenomenon and remains so. It set the standard for small car design, proving that basic and low cost didn’t mean ugly and uninteresting. Indeed, as recently as two years ago the original 500 was voted the sexiest car of all time. A hard act to follow, but Fiat has pulled it off spectacularly. The new car is as cute as its forbear, as much fund to drive and as functional, yet at the same time it is a five star rated car for safety, it is one of the most environmentally friendly cars it is possible to own, and its price makes it available to all. There may be bigger and faster cars at Melbourne – but I believe the biggest crowds will be around the new Fiat 500!”

Fiat may be revealing the new Fiat 500 at the Melbourne International Motor Show, but it is, by no means the only new car from the Italian car maker. Also new on the Fiat stand will be the range-topping Fiat Ritmo, a stylish all-new five door hatch with two highly advanced engines, and the Fiat Punto T-Jet Turbo, which is the new performance benchmark in the Punto range, makes its Melbourne Show debut.