CARS as cool as the Fiat 500 convertible don't come along all that often.
The open top version of the popular retro model is on course to become hot property this summer.
On sale from July 3 and priced from £11,300 to £14,100, the little 500C is out to cash in on our love affair with cute cabrios.
Since its launch last year the Fiat 500 has become an instant hit to rival the MINI with an accessory list enabling buyers to join in the craze of customising their cars.
The convertible moves its desirability up a notch. Not only does the 500C look great it's also really fun to drive.
The fabric top is more of a full length sunroof than a foldaway hood, harking back to the original 500 of the 1950s and the legendary Citroen 2CV.
Electrically operated it slides back in seconds and can be opened or closed at speeds of up to nearly 40mph.
The roof can be stopped at any position but its two main anchor points leave the cabin completely exposed overhead with the rear window either up or dropped down to leave the back of the car absolutely open.
However, the 500C is not without criticism. There's a lot of buffeting and noise when fully open and rear vision is compromised by the folded hood and its integral third brake lamp being perched on top of the boot.
Even when only partially retracted there is booming inside at anything over 45mpg. You could say that's all part and parcel of open top motoring but rival convertibles such as the MINI, Nissan Micra and VW Beetle have got it right.
Fiat does offer a wind deflector as an option and perhaps it makes all the difference.
With the roof closed the sound insulation is good but you can pick fault in the detail.
The fabric seems slightly too narrow at the windscreen end leaving a tiny, but noticeable, gap either side. Apart from that the roof appears very durable and hard wearing.
Available in red, black or brown (Fiat calls it ivory) the hood incorporates a heated glass rear screen with a high level brake lamp mounted in a colour coded plastic spoiler.
When open the roof drops across the top of the boot but to enable access to your luggage it partially retracts as soon as the boot handle is pressed.
Cargo capacity at 182 litres is slightly down on the standard 500 but only by three litres, which is neither here nor there. The only other body change is a deeper windscreen.
The 500C is available in two trim levels, Pop and Lounge, and with the same engine line up as the hatch - 1.2 and 1.4-litre petrols and a 1.3-litre diesel.
All models feature Fiat's dual setting power steering which lightens up for city driving while electronic stability controls are available on the 1.4 versions.
The higher spec Lounge range - priced from £12,700 - has additional chrome trim, automatic climate control and parking sensors. With the 1.3 diesel it's the pick of the bunch.
It can average a claimed 67.3mpg with emissions of just 110g/km, costing only £35 a year to tax.
The 1.2 also falls into the same low tax bracket with emissions of 119g/km but the quicker 1.4-litre has a CO2 rating of 140g/km with 46.3mpg.
As with the standard 500 the convertible has plenty of options available including snazzy body decals and the rag top features some exclusive paint jobs with great names such as Ragamuffin red, Tech House grey and Goth-Metal blue.
That's a bit of a giveaway about where Fiat is aiming the convertible.
It's a young, trendy car - and a great fashion statement for the summer.