As an American consumer, I have come to the realization that we commonly get shafted on certain iconic vehicles released overseas: Alfa, Citroen, and now Fiat with their mighty mini-killer, the 500.

Now, I know I will get the traditional blog flaming (flog?) of readers telling me that the design of this vehicle is nothing new, and that it in fact appears pretty blandly designed. However, I would defend myself by asking if there have been any other recent automobiles with a near iphone-like buzz as the Fiat 500?

Accordingly, Fiat is on record as stating that they want to be the “Apple of the auto world” and that the 500 is their “iPod”. (I’m paraphrasing).

Let’s take a look at the vehicle, and see if this holds up.

EXTERIOR:

First and foremost, the exterior isn’t anything to write home about. The design cues are tried and true, and have appeared on countless other vehicles. In this case, however, they are combined together elegantly onto one small package. The traditional Fiat 500 shoulder line extends all the way around the vehicle, much like the original did. This new iteration interrupts it with the headlamps, which are clean ovals.

The undercut in the door, and it’s fade-out in the rear quarter trim, is a nice accent and a great way to break up the side. All the more important when your eye is led to the rear haunches of the car, and it’s excellent stance. We sketch this stance in many a doggy-eye view in design school. It’s nice that Fiat pulled it off quite well.

The front fascia is reminiscent of the 500 in Pixar’s Cars… right down to the metal moustache and the cheek dimples. Iconic indeed.

The rear of the vehicle falls short of any design wonder. The tail lamps are reminiscent of Mini influence, and the amount of space without any considerable graphic or physical break-up reminds me of the blank pages of my vellum sketchbook the night before my auto studio design class at CCS.

INTERIOR:

The interior of this vehicle is very “producty”. In other words, it doesn’t have the flowing lines and traditional speed forms of other automobiles. The headrests are interesting, albeit not very comfortable-looking. They sure are cuing in on the circular head lamps and geometric forms in the exterior. The seats also do not look as comfortable as they could, thanks to the same geometric forms. However, they are interesting and somewhat new, especially the choice of color break-ups Fiat is trying out.

The dash and IP are very — how to say it best — fussy. Although they do try some interesting forms, there are just too many things going on to focus on one aspect. Your eye bounces around the varying forms, all fighting for dominance on the large horizontal surface. The undercuts from the exterior are apparent here as well, with a few of the forms even intersecting in the center. With that said, Fiat once again is at least exploring some new things. The color break-up (although nothing new) is done a lot better here than on the Mini, and the surfaces look crisp and clean.

FINAL VERDICT:
I like this car. A lot. Not in the “Audi R8″ kind of way, but at least in the “daily driver” potential. Although the vehicle is cute, Fiat would be wise to not bring it to the US at the current time. It probably wouldn’t sell very well, as the US consumer is only now starting to shrink his/her vehicles.

But if I ever head to Europe, this is the car I’ll be mulling over picking up.

An iPod it’s not, but it may make some strong sales on the novelty end of life.