Even though its cute looks have withstood
the test of time, the Fiat 500 is one of the oldest cars on sale today.
Production started back in 2007, and over the years, it was refreshed a few
times and joined by countless special editions.
Now, while the outgoing iteration of the
city car is tipped to soldier on for a few more years, Fiat is working on a
successor. Our spy photographers managed to get close enough to a prototype of
the city car, which wore the production body underneath the heavy camo and
plastic cladding.
From a visual standpoint, we can make out
the headlamps and taillights that feature LED tech, and reshaped front end,
with a hood that makes it look like a Stormtrooper. You may have noticed the
enclosed grille and lack of tailpipes, which tells us that it’s the electric
version, probably still dubbed the 500e. The current zero-emission model has
111 hp and 200 Nm of torque and an 135-kilometer range,
so the new one will work on improving the autonomy and perhaps performance.
The interior is partially visible here,
though previous scoops provided a clearer look inside, revealing a new
dashboard, steering wheel and rotary gearshift lever. A previously spied mule
also had buttons normally found in off-roaders, like ‘4WD Auto’, ‘4WD High’ and
‘Axle lock’, but don’t hold your breath for them, unless they’re planning a
dual-motor variant of the tiny hatchback, with a generous ground clearance –
which doesn’t make much sense.
We’ve heard from sources that the new 500e
could debut as early as the 2020 Geneva Motor Show in early March, before
launching this summer. The U.S. is believed to get it next year, although we
have yet to receive official confirmation.
