Italiophiles have been waiting for an affordable import since at least 2006. That was the first of many delayed years planned for Alfa Romeo's return to the U.S. market. While the Fiat 500 isn't exactly an Alfa, it has its own retro charm, recalling the iconic postwar car for its motherland's masses, just like the BMC Mini and Volkswagen Type 1 (Beetle).
In terms of retro-futurism, the 2012 Fiat 500 shares more with the VW New Beetle than the Mini Cooper. The 1957-75 500's rear-mounted two-cylinder engine is now a 1.4-liter MultiAir four, up front with the drive wheels. While the original was almost microcar-tiny, the modern take is now merely small, as it's large enough to meet safety and crash standards. It's sub-Mini, sub-Beetle small, notes Laura Soave, head of the Fiat brand in North America.
"Technically, based on overall length, the 500 is an a-segment car," she says. That makes its direct competition the smart fortwo and the upcoming Scion iQ.

Its overall length is seven inches shorter than the Mini coupe and 33.5 inches longer than the smart fortwo, while its wheelbase is 5.5 inches shorter than Mini and 29.2 inches longer than the smart. The 500 stands 4.4-inches taller than the Mini and 0.9 inches shorter than the smart -- seat height is where the 500 gets its decent legroom.
While Fiat can't change the 500's basic dimensions for the U.S., it has tailored many parts for North America, mostly inside. There's a glovebox in place of the Euro model's cubby and there are knee-blockers to meet standards for non-belted passengers. The driver's and front passenger's seats have been redesigned, with a fold-down, two-position right-elbow armrest for the driver and a new entry system to provide easier access to the back seats. The seat heater controls have been moved to the lower instrument panel, and the heater elements are larger. Cruise control and audio control switches have been moved to the steering wheel. A new Bose premium audio system with six speakers and a subwoofer, and Sirius satellite radio are standard on Sport and Lounge. There's a port in the instrument panel for the optional navigation unit, a factory-spec Tom Tom.