In the year that sees the celebration of both the 150th anniversary of the unification of Italy and Gucci's 90th anniversary, Gucci and Fiat unveil a special edition of the iconic Fiat 500, customized by Gucci Creative Director Frida Giannini in partnership with Fiat's Centro Stile.  The car is named the 500 by Gucci and was launched on the opening day of Milan Fashion Week. The 500 by Gucci was presented at the Geneva International Auto Show from March 3rd to13th, in a dedicated Gucci pop-up store within the Fiat stand. Now the 500 by Gucci is available online, and this is also a good reason to present the car here on our columns…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

A black and white version…

The black and white colours of the 500 by Gucci, in unique eye-catching glossy pearl glass paint, seem to set the stage for a neo-classic black and white film. 

The 500 by Gucci can be chosen in white and black versions... 

These two distinct colors complement one another.  The black version, with detailing in shiny chrome paired with interiors that contrast sharp black and white, for a contemporary and racy attitude. White, with satin chrome detailing and ivory and black interiors for a softer, sophisticated look.

The interiors can be either black...

... or white

The Gucci touch…

The exterior is further personalized by rims for 195/45 R16 wheels, including the unmistakable retro design of the rays, harmonizing with the surrounding exterior colors and representing a novelty for this category of car.

The hubcaps feature the interlocking GG in the same color of the body of the car and the cursive Gucci signature appears on the hatchback as well on the doorpost.

But there are more typical Gucci touches: the version equipped with 1.4 of 100 horsepower comes with rear break callipers in Gucci green.  The car's silhouette is outlined by Gucci’s signature green-red-green stripe, which runs along the entire perimeter and links the exterior to the interior.

The stripe also appears inside on the seats, on the gear shift, the key-cover, the carpets, and in an innovative finish on the seatbelts. The interior space of the 500 by Gucci is stylish yet functional down to every last detail: chic embroidery, exclusive materials, glossy and satin chromes, the velvety varnish on the “radioboard,” the two-toned seats in Frau leather with the Guccissima print.

The website www.500byGucci.com is online since April first…

The communications activity behind the worldwide launch of the 500 by Gucci is being developed with the support of Lapo Elkann and his agency,

The 500 by Gucci  is now available from April 1st to June 30th exclusively by pre-order online at www.500bygucci.com, with a list price in Italy that starts from  17,000 euro all inclusive. The car will also be displayed in exclusive locations in metropolitan cities such as Paris, London  and Tokyo , followed by the European commercial launch in July. It will then become available in the rest of the world at the end of the year.

Further accessories…

Completing the customization is the exclusive 500 by Gucci collection, including travel accessories, small leather goods, drivers, tracksuits, bombers, driver gloves, sunglasses and a watch, which is now also available in select Gucci stores and online at www.gucci.com from April 2011…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

The Gucci Touch is tastfully everywhere on the car, down to the gearlever knob...