‘Made in Italy’ design icons Fiat and Smeg create an auto-fridge hybrid Smeg 500

The two Italian brands, well-known for their recognizable, flawless industrial design—the automaker Fiat and the appliance company Smeg—have given a second birth to a classic car model Fiat 500, turning a front part of it into a retro-styled mini refrigerator that can serve as a nice interior decoration for any bar or a house.

The 100-liter-capable fridge can chill of freeze, and is available in three colors: white, green or red. The Smeg 500 comes as a part of the Fiat Design collection that also includes pieces of furniture such as table, a smaller console table, and a sofa—all made out of original Fiat parts in collaboration with the Italian furniture designer Meritalia.

The stylish mini fridge made its debut in Paris on May 30, at a presentation event at the Colette concept store in Rue Saint-Honore. The history of collaboration of the two companies goes back to the early 1950s, when Fiat entered an agreement with Smeg to start the production of fridges.

“I am really happy to launch this product. It is the result of the long-term collaboration between Fiat and SMEG as well as Italia Independent,” comments Lapo Elkann, former Fiat marketing manager, now the president and founding partner of LA Holding, Italia Independent, Fiat group. “Fiat 500 has become an icon that in this new interpretation expands its appeal into bars and living rooms around the world.”

The Smeg 500 mini fridges are available for purchase at the Smeg-Fiat 500 website.

Photo: Stylish mini fridge Smeg 500 at the launch event at Colette, Paris
Photo: Stylish mini fridge Smeg 500 at the launch event at Colette, Paris
Photo: Stylish mini fridge Smeg 500 in three colors—at the launch event at Colette, Paris
Photo: Stylish mini fridge Smeg 500 in three colors—at the launch event at Colette, Paris
Photo: Smeg 500, a front view
Photo: Smeg 500, a front view