ACCORDING to Fiat, masterpieces do not need restyling.

So when it's time to release an all-new version of the top selling 500 hatchback and convertible, don't expect a seismic shift.

Come September the second generation of the thoroughly modern and highly fashionable little hatch will be arriving and it retains all the retro looks of its predecessor.

Fiat did serious research to find out what 500 fans wanted and the answer was more of the same - only better.

As a result what Fiat has done is very, very subtle and the new model has been smartened up with the introduction of some jazzy tweaks to the nose and tail but in silhouette it is every inch the cutie that first appeared in 2007 - 50 years to the day after the original 500 was born.

Inside, the changes are more obvious and the new 500 has been brought bang up to date with added technology and some user-friendly features.

There's now a proper glovebox replacing the open parcel shelf on the previous car and the dashboard has a new layout with smarter switches and a Uconnect infotainment system.

On higher specification models that incorporates smartphone connectivity bringing alive Internet features on the move including access to Facebook and Twitter and a number of other apps including a news feed sourced from Reuters.

There's also a TomTom Live sat nav set up which includes traffic alerts as they happen.

With the 500 being a car that's loved by younger drivers such equipment is what is demanded from modern motors and the new Fiat does not disappoint.

The interior has an upmarket feel which can be enhanced with leather trim and a colour TFT display in the instrument panel which shows trip information, navigation instructions and a digital speedo.

There's an illuminated vanity mirror but only on the passenger side, power sockets and drinks holders fitted in the centre console and for a car which is on the tiny side luggage space is good ranging from 185 to 550 litres on versions with folding rear seats.

Although Fiat is claiming some 1,800 changes compared to the previous version much of that is hidden away and mechanically little is different.

All the engines now meet the latest emission standards and the line up at the launch of the new model will be petrol only comprising Fiat's remarkable two-cylinder 875cc TwinAir engine and the familiar 1.2-litre four cylinder block.

Diesels - which make up only a small proportion of sales in this class of car - will follow and will include a super-economical 1.3-litre producing only 89g/km of CO2.

The petrol engines come with either a five speed manual gearbox or a five speed Dualogic robotic auto system while a six speed manual comes with a higher powered version of the TwinAir which is turbocharged to develop 105 horsepower.

Going through its paces in and around Fiat's home town of Turin it proved to be just as much fun as the current car with a lively drive cocooned by the characteristic raspy sound of the two-pot engine under acceleration.

It can be switched into a sport mode which gives more throttle response and firms up the suspension and steering feel as well as introducing some red highlights and a turbo boost gauge in the digital display.

It may be a tiny engine but it is the quickest of all the 500s with a 0 to 60 6me of 10 seconds and a top speed of 117mph yet despite the performance Fiat claims official fuel economy of 67.3mpg with emissions of 99g/km although we could manage an average of 37mpg on a drive through the hills having set off from Fiat's historic Lignotto building - the home of the famous rooftop test track - in the middle of Turin.

We also tried the 1.2-litre Dualogic version and although not as nippy with only 69bhp on tap it returned just over 40 to the gallon over the same route. Fiat claims it should do 62.8mpg and on paper that makes the auto more fuel efficient than the manual which is rated at 60.1mpg.

Both cars were in high grade Lounge trim which on the TwinAir costs from£14,420 and the Dualogic £13,990.

New it may be but Fiat has pegged prices for the latest 500 and the range costs from £10,890 for the 1.2-litre in Pop trim, although that is a car which comes without air con which is available on mid-grade Pop Star models costing from £11,765.

The 500 is a car which is all about fun and that brings personal features into play so you can create something with a difference.

The newcomer is going to be available in a choice of 13 colours and 10 interior trim combinations as well as the option of six distinctive body wraps for absolute individuality.

Factor in other touches such as coloured door mirror caps, different wheel designs and some bespoke badging and it's going to be hard to find a car that's similar.

Add to that the new look front which now comes with a lower grille that incorporates some bright jewel-like highlights, LED running lights that mimic the semi-circular zeros in the 500 logo and rear lights which have a solid, body-coloured centre make all the difference when it comes to distinguishing new from old.

It is a car which puts a smile on your face and the latest version has lost none of the magic that has made the 500 such a favourite for the best part of 60 years and spans generations of motorists.