Gucci gears up in style

The Fiat 500 has become one of the hottest selling cars in Hong Kong. Small, beautifully chic and a delight to drive around town, the four-seater saloon embodies everything that is so stylish and practical about Italian creativity and design. This year Fiat's Centro Stile has teamed with Gucci creative director Frida Giannini to create the ultimate fashion statement on wheels, the Fiat '500 by Gucci'. The model made its debut at the Geneva Motor Show on March 3 and has been a hit since.

The car will now be the star of an original tour that will stop in the fashion capitals of the world. Hong Kong is one of the first cities to have the car. The '500 by Gucci' is certainly a collector's item created in a special year - the 150th anniversary of the unification of Italy and Gucci's 90th anniversary. 'In the 1950s, the Fiat 500 created a style revolution when it first hit the road,' Giannini says. 'Travelling in style has also been at the heart of Gucci since Guccio Gucci founded his company as a producer of leather trunks, suitcases and handbags in 1921. This collaboration [is] a perfect opportunity to create a new, modern travel statement in Gucci's 90th year.'

Inspired by neo-classic black and white film, the new '500 by Gucci' Fiat 500 or 500c models come in finished eye-catching glossy pearl-glass paint, in black or white, and with matching key covers, Fiat says. A limited quota has been allocated for Hong Kong at a retail price of HK$279,888 and HK$309,888 for the convertible version, and the first lot has already sold out.

The dealer, Swire Motors, has secured a second order which is expected to arrive in time for the perfect Christmas gift this year. The black version has detailing in shiny chrome paired with contrasting black and white interiors, for a trendy, racy look. The white version has satin chrome detailing and ivory and black interiors for a softer, sophisticated appeal. The cars are also fitted with retro, 'diamante'-spoked 16-inch wheels with 'GG' logos on body-coloured hubcaps, italicised 'Gucci' inscriptions on the tailgate and door pillars.

Versions with the 100-horsepower, 1.4-litre engine have their brake calipers lacquered in Gucci green. The Florence-based luxury label's globally recognised red and green 'web' runs along the perimeter of the '500 by Gucci' cars, or across the length of the power-retractable cloth top on the Fiat 500c by Gucci cabriolet. The 'web' is also prominent in the elegant interior, on the gearbox, mats, seatbelts and Poltrona Frau leather seats inscribed with 'Guccissima' graphics.

Premium leather accents are also on the interior door panels, and the ivory and white hand-stitched steering-wheel cover.

The Fiat 500 by Gucci comes with a 1.4-litre engine which was specially allocated for the Hong Kong market to cater to the demanding road traffic. The car is equipped with a Dualogic automatic transmission, the latest BLUE&ME Handsfree Communication, SIRIUS Satellite Radio and iPod technology.

For inquiries, call 2921 9999 or visit the official Facebook fan page www.fb.com/FiatHK.