CAR /
FEATURES
March 2, 2022
The Fiat 500: An Italian Icon Chosen by Trailblazing Creators – Yoshifumi "YOPPI" Egawa | FIAT
Presented by FIAT
Adults Should Also Embrace Colorful Attire
YOPPI is currently in a "car-buying mood" and checks used car information sites almost every day.
"There are two reasons. First, I might get back into snowboarding in a big way, so I'm looking for a car to go to the snowy mountains. Second, and this is a form of street culture, it's trendy and I'm interested in driving a sporty car while playing PHONK, a genre of hip-hop."
So, how does YOPPI feel about the Fiat 500's driving experience?
"The response when turning the wheel and accelerating is good, so it's pleasant to drive. Also, I was born and still live in Setagaya, which has many narrow roads, so this size is the most practical."
After the test drive, we asked YOPPI, who was gazing at the vibrant Sicilian Orange Fiat 500, about the concept behind the clothing for "Ombre Niño."
"I don't just skateboard or cycle; I believe that what you continue to do becomes your style, and when you continue something, a kind of history is created. Ombre Niño means 'adults and children,' and we aim for designs that can connect the past and the present, trying to express something like 'retro & new.' Also, as one gets older, one tends to want to wear monochrome or plain clothes, but as someone involved in street fashion, I want adults to wear colorful or patterned items too."
Retro yet new, and colorful – this perfectly synchronizes with the Fiat 500. Indeed, it would be incredibly cool to see a gentleman or lady in flamboyant attire step out of this Fiat 500.
YOPPI often says, "I like skateboarding culture more than skateboarding itself." What about cars?
"It's probably the same. I like cars and driving, but I also really like car culture. Santa Maria Novella's eau de cologne has a scent called Nostalgia, which I always use, and it's inspired by the smell of leather and gasoline when you get into a classic car. I also use snowboard goggles that were originally developed for open-top cars. So, after I turn 60, I want to enter classic car races in a small red Italian car. Like a street version of Masaaki Sakai's racing (laughs)."
So, while he'd enter classic car races with an old car, what would he choose for everyday use, like shopping or traveling? Wouldn't YOPPI, dressed in adult street fashion, driving a brightly colored Fiat 500 around town be the epitome of cool?
Spec
FIAT 500 1.2 CULT
- Overall Length x Width x Height | 3570 x 1625 x 1515mm
- Wheelbase | 2300mm
- Vehicle Weight | 990kg
- Engine | 1,240cc Inline-4
- Max Output | 69ps / 5,500rpm
- Max Torque | 102Nm / 3,000rpm
- Transmission | 5-speed Sequential with AT Mode
- Drivetrain | FF
- Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut (with stabilizer)
- Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam (with stabilizer)
- Front Brakes | Disc
- Rear Brakes | Drum
- Price | From ¥2,210,000
- *The body color shown (Sicilian Orange) incurs an additional option fee of ¥55,000.
EGAWA "YOPPI" Yoshifumi
Born in Setagaya Ward, Tokyo. A central figure who continues to lead Tokyo's street scene. From 1994, he also worked as the director of the fashion brand "Hectik." He is a rare individual who coexists with his hobbies and work, still active as a skater affiliated with T-19. In 2012, he launched his own brand, "Ombre Niño."
