THE Italians may lay claim to a monopoly on auto exotica.
With brands like Ferrari, Maserati and Lamborghini it's not really surprising.
The latter may have slipped the roost and gone off to be owned by Volkswagen but the others are still very much part of the family that's called Fiat.
And the Italians love Fiats, especially when they are small.
Picture the crowded streets of Milan, Turin or Rome during the 50s, 60s and 70s and what did you see? Little Fiats.
While Britain was going Mini crazy, the Italians were having their own love affair with the Fiat 500.
Now it's back, and just like the reborn Mini it's a car which is all about style - loads of it.
The new Fiat 500 not only boasts retro looks combined with new technology but can also be personalised in an incredible 500,000 differing variations taking into account all the combinations of trim, upholstery and fittings.
If that's not enough there is also a choice of 19 decal schemes to spruce up the body and make the car even more individual - never mind the availability of nine different brightly coloured key fobs which can even match your decal choice.
This car is gunning for the Mini in a big way but while the British-built BMW will cost you a minimum of £11,600, the little Fiat can be snapped up for £7,900 leaving plenty of scope for personalisation for under ten grand.
No, the 500 hasn't got the go-kart handling and performance of the Mini but it's not bad.
And as city slickers go the 500 is fresh, exciting and different.
It went on sale in Italy last July - 50 years to the day after the original - and has already snapped up the title of European Car of the Year for 2008.
For its British debut Fiat has hired the London Eye to parade its new baby above the capital from next Monday and brought in pop star Mika as added glamour when the car goes on sale 500 hours into the new year.
Hype it may be but the car is genuinely good enough to drive its own way through the marketing machine.
It will be available with a choice of two petrol engines, a 69bhp 1.2-litre and 100bhp 1.4-litre, or a 75bhp 1.3-litre MultiJet turbodiesel, and in three trims called Pop, Sport and Lounge.
Even the top range models with either petrol or diesel engines cost £10,700 which undercuts the most basic Mini by almost a grand. Unlike other manufacturers Fiat is not charging a premium for the diesel 500 - it costs no more than the 1.4-litre petrol version in any trim.
Standard equipment in the entry-level Pop version includes ABS anti-lock brakes with EBD, driver, passenger, side and driver's knee airbags, radio/CD/MP3 player, power steering, electric mirrors, colour coded bumpers and chrome-plated door handles.
Sport and Lounge versions start at £9,300 with standard equipment on both including Fiat's Blue & Me hands-free media system, air conditioning and 15-inch alloy wheels.
Sport specification includes a rear roof spoiler, fog lights, sports interior and dark tinted rear windows, while Lounge trim includes a split, folding rear seat and fixed glass roof.
Inside and out the 500 is a delight, its bug-like looks faithful to the original which chalked up almost four million sales in its lifetime.
It's cute but not tiny. The 500 is bigger than you expect and of true supermini proportions.
Although only a four seater - and legroom in the back is tight - the front is more than roomy enough and the boot space an adequate 185 litres.
Style is very much a key point of the 500 and the facia can be colour matched to the paint job. With optional ivory inserts it looks very classy.
There's a quality feel about the finish although the steering wheel would benefit from being adjustable for reach and not just height. Bigger drivers may also take issue with the protruding door catch from one of the cubby holes sited very close to their left leg.
The 500 is at its best with the diesel engine which delivers plenty of performance, top speed 103mph and good mid-range acceleration, while returning 67.3mpg on average and with emissions nice and low at 111g/km.
None of the engines are lacking in the 500 and the 1.2 petrol is almost as frugal and clean as the diesel averaging a claimed 55.4mpg and 119g/km CO2. The 1.4 petrol is rated at 44.8mpg with emissions of 149g/km.
It's great as a city car and with Fiat's dual power steering control is easy to manoeuvre in car parks. Just push a button and the steering becomes light as a feather.
Fiat is on a roll at the moment with a rejuvenated line up of models including the Grande Punto and latest Panda demonstrating new standards of build quality and reliability.
Moreover they all have a style of their own and the chic little 500 is about prove they can be so much fun to drive and own.