The new Fiat 500 electric has been announced and will hit the showroom floors in Europe by 2021. These are all the details the company has disclosed so far.
The Fiat 500 is an iconic Italian compact car. It has been an incredible success for the automaker. There is no significant difference in the new styling, but the interior has been overhauled. This is the first pure electric car from Fiat Chrysler Automobile (FCA).
Dimensions
Fiat 500e is 60 mm larger in length and width compared to its gas/petrol powered cousin. The total length is 3630 mm and the total width is 1690 mm. The total height is 40 mm higher, 1530 mm.
Powertrain
The pure EV powertrain is a combination of an 88 kW electric motor and a 42 kWh lithium-ion battery. The driving range is claimed to be 320 km (200 miles) under WLTP.
By the way, in the case of the mini electric which is a rival of the compact EV, the battery range is 231 km (143 miles) with a 29 kWh battery. Peugeot e208 is 339 km (210 miles).
Performance
The new Fiat 500e accelerates from naught to 100 kilometers an hour in 9.0 seconds, which is enough, but it does naught to 50 km/h in just 3.1 seconds, which is quite sharp for its class. The top speed is 149 km/h.
Driving Modes
If you choose the most ECO-friendly driving mode, called the “Sherpa”, the maximum speed will be limited to 80 km/h. Furthermore, maximum power output and accelerator response is suppressed. The air conditioner is turned off and the range is extended as much as possible.
The name Sherpa is named after the ethnic group native to the most mountainous regions of Nepal and the Himalayas, well known for helping Westerners climb Mt. Everest. This mode reduces range anxiety and ensures that you can safely reach the charging point.
In addition to the Sherpa, there are driving modes called “Normal” and “Range”. The range maximizes the effectiveness of the regenerative brakes, and allows single pedal drive.
Charging
The new 500e also supports 80 kW quick chargers. Up to 80% of battery capacity can be charged in 35 minutes, and it takes about 5 minutes to store 50 km of energy. According to Fiat, this is enough to cover most people’s average driving range.
When you buy a Fiat 500e, you will get the most basic 3 kW home charger with it. But there is an option to upgrade to 7.4 kW high-capacity charger.
Exterior
The body design has evolved in small details from the current ICE 500. Although the body line is sharp, the cuteness of the original headlights and bumpers is still alive. The door handles are streamlined with the body. Both headlights and taillights are LEDs.
Interior
The design of the interior has undergone a major change, eliminating the dated design in current models. The dashboard now looks wider, with fewer physical switches or buttons. The interior overall has a clean look.
According to Fiat, the wheelbase has been extended by 20 mm to 2320 mm, which has increased the interior space. The battery is mounted under the floor and does not affect the interior room.
Infotainment System
It is equipped with a 10.25 inch UConnect 5 infotainment system made by FCA with features like navigation, Wi-Fi hotspot, Android Auto and Apple Car Play.
World’s First Convertible EV
The new Fiat 500 will make its first debut as a convertible, but a regular fixed roof version will follow. Fiat emphasizes that the 500 is the world’s first convertible EV. Like the previous Fiat 500, it is a sliding fabric.
Driver-assistance systems (ADAS)
The new model is also equipped with autonomous driving support system, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, maximum speed limit, etc. It also has driver drowsiness detection and a 360-degree parking camera.
Price
The EV version of the new 500 will be launched in the UK in the first half of 2021. Production takes place at the Mirafiori plant in Italy.
Initially, a limited edition La Prima will be available for purchase. The Italian price of the Fiat 500 La Prima Convertible is 37,900 euros ($42,200). This is for the limited grade price and the base grade will be released with a more competitive price.
Fiat 500 Hybrid
The current Fiat 500 (European market model) has just recently been updated as a mild hybrid. In parallel with the EV version Fiat 500, it will be sold at affordable prices for the next two years. The plan is to keep it available for customers who are not yet used to EVs.
5-Door Version
In an interview with Autocar, we are informed that Fiat is also considering a 5-door version. The addition of two small doors at the back will provide easier access to the rear seats than the three doors version.
