MANY, when trying to name iconic motors instantly think of the Mini, Jaguar's E-Type, or maybe even the Ford Capri.

Then there's the VW Beetle, in production since before the Second World War. Two of those, the Beetle and Mini have successfully been reincarnated over recent years and a third is making an even bigger splash the third time around.

Arguably the first city car, the 479cc, rear engined, two cylinder air cooled Fiat 500 first took to the Italian roads more than 50 years ago in 1957 and stayed in production until 1975.

Your chances of surviving in crash were probably slim, but it was cheap and fun to drive and at three metres long could be parked virtually anywhere.

To mark the 50 anniversary Fiat reintroduced the car in 2007 to much acclaim with a product light years ahead of the original, sharing much of the technology of the Ford Ka.

It still looks very much like the original but now offers more in terms of creature comforts, performance and safety.

Quirky cars are very much in vogue and the Fiat 500 styling is no exception being both retro in looks but bang up to date technologically.

It does attract attention, particularly electrically-operated soft-top convertible tested, which gives a cute but chic look. The contrasting colours of bodywork and fabric roof are also particularly eye-catching.

The retro look continues on the inside featuring a painted rather than plastic fascia.

Instrumentation is mimalist but funky and sturdy with the radio and climate controls and dominated by a single dial in the odd-shaped binnacle.

The ball-shaped gear lever is set off the floor and into the dash, feeing up extra room between driver and passenger.

The car features four individual seats that are comfortable and supportive.

Both rear seats fold flat so the tiny boot space can be increased to a reasonable-sized cargo area, but this car is more for fun than practicality.

The driving position is good, but all-round vision is restricted, particularly to the rear with the small window on the fabric roof, but this obviously is not a problem with the roof folded.

Although called a cabrio, the roof does not fully fold away. Rather it slides back in three stages to rest just behind the rear two seats. Full access to the boot is still possible thanks to some clever hinges.

This has the advantage of allowing occupants to enjoy open top motoring, but because the door pillars remain, the car retains its rigidity and handles better as a result.

With the roof down, passengers are still pretty well protected from the wind and when the weather changes, it folds back in rapid time.

A surprisingly decent ride also complements the good handling with only the worst potholed roads causing any problems.

A combination road, engine and wind noise can make quite a racket with the roof down, but his obviously more muted with the roof in place.

The Fiat 500 comes with a number of engine variations, including a 1.2 and 1.4-litre petrol engine, plus the hot 1.4-litre turbocharged Abarth.

The latest in the line-up is the new 95bhp multijet diesel engine provides both pace, economy and reasonable refinement.

The economy is further boosed by the stop/start technology and the claimed average mpg is a stonking 72.4mpg.

CO2 emissions of 104g/km put it in the lowest road tax bracket and, if anyone selected it as a business user, the lowest benefit in kind taxation bracket.

There are three levels, the Pop, the Lounge and the Abarth.

Pop standard equipment includes ISOFIX child seat attachments, air conditioning, electric front windows, remote central locking seven airbags and 14 inch vintage steel wheels.

Other features include body coloured bumpers, electrically adjustable heated door mirrors ABS with EBD (Electronic Brake Distribution) folding rear seatback and radio/CD/MP3 Player.

Optional extras on this car included body coloured electrically adjustable heated door , leather steering wheel with audio controls 15inch alloys with 185/55 tyres, metallic paint and  Blue&Me - a hands free system with USB port.

3yrs/60,000 miles