I believe it was his royal rock ’n roll-ness, Mick Jagger, who said, “You can’t always get what you want.” Wise words indeed, especially when you’re dealing with automobiles. As long-time readers know, for all the cool sheetmetal we test on these shores, there are always heaps of foreign machines we not so quietly pine for. Thus, in an effort to bring you some of those overseas standouts, we’ve begun this Forbidden Fruit mini-feature. Who knows, maybe something will compel you to emigrate…

Fiat 500

Our inaugural entry into the Forbidden Fruit folder is Fiat’s brilliant, new 500 subcompact, which is leading the Italian automaker to brighter pastures. At 3.5 meters, the front-engined, FWD, four-seater is shorter than even Mini’s Cooper and has made a big splash in Europe since launching last year, exactly 50 years after Dante Giacosa’s iconic ‘Topolino’ (a.k.a. little mouse) debuted.

Already a Car of Year winner, the new 500’s been heralded for its looks, driving dynamics and safety — perfect for Canadian roads, eh?

Designed in just 18 months and built in Poland, the Italian auto comes standard with seven airbags, received a five-star rating in the grueling Euro NCAP crash test and meets emissions levels two years before the legislative deadline.

Available 500 powertrains include a state-of-the-art 75-hp 1.3-litre 16-valve MultiJet turbodiesel and two gas engines making 69 and 100-ponies. Not bad for a car that weighs just 980 kg (2,160 lb). Note that aside from traditional transmissions, a Dualogic clutchless five-speed sequential manual shift gearbox is also offered.

Other 500 highlights include a 185-litre luggage compartment, optional parking sensors, ESP, hill holder, a SkyDome sunroof (how appropriate for Toronto is that?) and Blue&Me, basically Fiat’s version of Ford’s Sync system.

The Icing on the cake is an extensive personalization program offers over 100 bespoke accessories which, generate more than 500,000 possible trim, colour and option combinations.

Now that’s amore.