Fiat 500 Coupe Zagato (2011) at Geneva motor show

Fiat surprised the Geneva audience with a Zagato-bodied variation on the familiar new 500 theme. 

With Mini branching out in all different directions and Citroen growing its DS brand, it was perhaps inevitable that Fiat would try new things with the 500.

It looks strikingly different at first sight, but the Coupe Zagato is based on the existing 500 platform. The differences mainly concern a modified lower roofline, bearing the traditional Zagato double-hump roof contours and rear window/C-pillar treatment. 

The standard 500 interior has been retrimmed in black and yellow leather to match the ‘Pop Yellow’ exterior hue.

Under the bonnet the Coupe Zagato uses a yet-to-be released 103bhp version of the TwinAir two-cylinder engine, producing 95g/km of CO2.  

Officially there’s no word on production of the Coupe Zagato. Seems like it could be a great riposte to the Mini Coupe, though. Here's hoping they take the ballsy decision in Turin.

By Mark Hamilton