Fiat introduced the Cinquecento (five-hundred) model in 1992 as a direct replacement for the 127 model and built it in Poland at the former FSO factory.
Fiat needed a new supermini vehicle for the European market. It needed a cheap, reliable, and easy-to-build car. Since it already bought the Polish carmaker FSO, who produced former Fiat-licensed vehicles, it decided to fill the assembly lines with the new vehicle: the Cinquecento. Its design was signed by Ermano Cressoni, the Centro Stile Fiat director and former head of design for Alfa Romeo. The result was a surprisingly small vehicle that managed to look good and be spacious as well.

The Cinquecento featured a tall, black, wrapped-around plastic bumper that sported the grille needed to cool the engine at the front. Its small headlights with corner-mounted turn signals and the Fiat badge enhanced the car’s front fascia. Since it was tiny, the vehicle offered just two side doors with flush door handles and small black door mirrors. Its side rear windows featured a pop-out system to help to vent the cabin.

Inside, Fiat installed a pair of low-mounted seats at the front and a bench for two in the back. Depending on the trim level, it featured an instrument panel with only a speedometer, a fuel gauge, and a coolant temperature dial. For the upper trim levels, the carmaker added a tachometer. It was hard to say that four people could sit inside. Still, it was possible, but only for short distances.

Under the hood, Fiat installed a choice of three engines, but the least powered version was available only for the Poland market. The standard and only transmission for all versions was a five-speed manual.