Perhaps it was the success of BMW's Mini that clinched it, maybe it was the Spice Girls reunion, but Fiat has been inspired to come up with its own wiser, chic, more modern take on an old hit. Cue the new Fiat 500.
Whatever Fiat might tell us, like the Mini the link to the past remains a tenuous one, based more on marketing than any design philosophy or engineering innovation. Because funnily enough modern customers don't want to drive around in a tin can with 18bhp anymore.
The 500 arrives at the height of the craze for car as fashion accessory, like a handbag or a good watch. It is intended to make a statement and comes with almost endless possibilities for personalisation. In spite of this, there will no doubt be thousands of 500s driving about in the next few years that are all intricately personalised with the same options.
You'd have to say that the ploy has worked however - the Fiat makes rivals like Ford's Ka and Renault's Twingo look humdrum and boring by comparison. The 500 has a premium feel to it that you won't find on any other Fiat and it oozes character. Fiat knows its audience well and will no doubt sell huge amounts regardless of driving dynamics or other minor considerations.
Given the success of the Mini and the likely success of the Fiat 500, it will be fascinating to see how other car makers will respond to this fashion trend and the clear desire for individualistic community amongst the sort of young buyers a manufacturer would kill for.
Even before the arduous task of wading through the options list for comic vinyl decals begins, the basic 500 has a good list of standard features and represents good value for money before you start spending it. It certainly represents better value for money in standard form than does the Mini.
As a result, our favourite model is the 1.2 Pop, which comes in at under £10,000 and provides you with as much fun as you will ever get from a handbag or a nice watch. It is not the most dynamic car to drive - the body roll alone puts paid to that - but it is a strong challenger around the city, proving to be not merely stylish and chic but frugal and cheap to run into the bargain.