Fiat 500 Coup� Zagato Concept Photo Yellow Car

The renowned Italian coachbuilder Zagato lists on its resume such stunning automotive sculptures as the Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato, the Fiat 8V Coup� Elaborata, and the Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ. But design houses like Zagato have to pay the bills�especially when competitors like Giugiaro and Bertone are owned by Volkswagen and Fiat, respectively�and that can translate to cars that don�t sport such breathtaking designs. Case in point: The Fiat 500 Coup� Zagato concept. It debuted at the Geneva auto show, and we�d be fine if it stayed there.
To create this 2+2, Zagato lowered the standard 500�s rear roofline and raised the rear quarter panel, producing a spear-shaped window where the two lines intersect. The resulting shape of the C-pillar and rear window is reminiscent of the same section on the Hyundai Veloster. The company says that the design changes are intended to provide a coupe-like look for the three-door hatch. One nice touch, which preserves some noggin space inside, is the inclusion of Zagato's signature �double bubble� in the roof.
The 500 Zagato�s Pop Yellow exterior is matched by an interior outfitted in a mix of black and yellow. New 17-inch wheels, cross-drilled brake rotors, and burnished chrome trim complete the visual transformation.
Under the hood is Fiat�s turbocharged two-cylinder TwinAir engine, tweaked to produce more power than it does in any present application: 105 hp and 114 lb-ft of torque. In fact, in this state of tune the little mill actually surpasses the 1.4-liter four-banger in the U.S.-spec 500 by 4 hp and 16 lb-ft. Although Europeans have been receptive to the high-tech two-cylinder in the 500 so far, cost and public perception will bar it from American shores for the foreseeable future.
None of that matters, of course, unless the Coup� Zagato emerges from its concept cocoon and becomes a production model. Although Fiat is running much of Mini�s playbook with its 500, we don�t imagine that Zagato�s creation will be challenging Mini�s own squashed-roof coupe any time soon. View Photo Gallery