Fiat 500 Riva – a collaboration between two Italian icons

11:54 am, June 29, 2016

THE 1957 Fiat 500 not only allowed millions of people to experience the personal freedom of car ownership, it also symbolised the rebirth of the nation.

During the same time, another Italian icon also rose to prominence – Aquarama, the elegant speedboat from luxury yacht manufacturer Riva.

Almost 60 years later, the two symbols of Italian style and elegance have converged in the form of the Fiat 500 Riva.

Aimed at motorists seeking the same exclusivity of the Aquariva Super yacht – the current Riva icon – but in an accessible, everyday package, the Fiat 500 Riva is finished in ‘Sera Blue’, an exclusive colour for this limited-edition model and one of the most popular for the Aquariva Super.

The convertible version also gets a new blue soft top, created exclusively for this version, while the hatchback gets a panoramic glass roof as standard.

What really sets the Fiat 500 Riva apart, however, is the detailing.

Externally, in addition to the exclusive colour, the mirror caps have a chrome finish, as do the handles and the bonnet trim.

A double aquamarine line runs along the belt line, enhancing the soft profile of the 500 and recalling the line of a yacht, while brand new 16-inch, 20-spoke alloy wheels, with a special blue finish, have been created especially for the car.

Finally, the logo of the nautical legend is placed on the boot lid, the wheel arch and the wooden insert of the side moulding.

Inside, the dashboard is finished in hand-painted mahogany with maple inlay work, offering the occupants the luxurious warmth of life on-board, as emphasised by the prominent Riva logo.

In terms of safety equipment, the Fiat 500 Riva is equipped with seven airbags, ABS with EBD (Electronic Brake Distribution), ESC (Electronic Stability Control), ASR (Anti Slip Regulation) Hill Holder and HBA (Hydraulic Brake Assistance) that helps with emergency braking.

And there’s no shortage of luxury equipment, such as automatic climate control, front fog lights, rear parking sensors and a seven-inch TFT instrument cluster with aquamarine background and Riva logo.

The new Fiat 500 Riva will be available in the UK from the end of August with 1.2 69hp, TwinAir 85hp and TwinAir 105hp engine options. The FIAT 500 range starts at £11,050 OTR while the UK pricing for FIAT 500 Riva range will be announced closer to its launch date.