Fiat has officially revealed the all new
500, which has been reinvented as a modern purely electric city car without
losing his much loved retro appeal. The now electric Fiat 500 is now built upon
a new platform, making it 6 cm longer, 6 cm wider, 4
cm taller and with an extended by 2 cm wheelbase.
The new Fiat 500 has not been confirmed
for the U.S. at this point, as FCA is still evaluating its potential for the
North American market. Power is provided by a 116 HP electric motor and a
42-kWh lithium-ion battery, giving the new Fiat 500 a driving range of 320 km on the WLTP cycle. The new 500 is also fitted with a 85kW fast
charger, allowing it to charge the battery up to 85 percent in just 35 minutes.
Fiat’s new electric baby can hit 100 km/h from a standstill in 9 seconds flat, while 0-31 mph comes in just
3.1 seconds. Top speed is limited to 150 km/h. There are three driving
modes: Normal, Range and Sherpa, which reduces energy consumption as much as
possible in order to ensure the driver can reach his destination set on the
navigation system or the nearest charging station. Sherpa mode also limits the
power, throttle response and the top speed down to 80 km/h, and even
deactivates features like the climate control and heated seats for maximum
efficiency.
Normal and Range modes enable “engine
braking” when you take your foot off the throttle, with the Range activating
the full one-pedal-drive function. The new Fiat 500 is also the first car in
its segment to offer Level 2 autonomous driving; the system combines an
adaptive cruise control with lane keep assist and a front-facing camera that
monitors the surroundings.
The interior of the new Fiat 500 features
the latest UConnect 5 infotainment system, which runs through a wide 10.25-inch
touchscreen display, featuring a very intuitive UI and offering wireless Apple
CarPlay and Android Auto.
Fiat will offer the new 500 in the limited
‘la Prima’ launch edition, which is available in three colors and features full
LED headlights, eco-leather upholstery, 17-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, and
chrome-plated inserts. Just 500 examples of the Fiat 500 ‘la Prima’ will be
available, priced at € 37,900 in its home
market. Base models are expected to be more affordable, and they kind of have
to.
Along with the new 500 ‘la Prima’, Fiat
has also revealed three special one-off variants that were created with the
help of Giorgio Armani, Bvlgari and Kartell respectively. The three unique
models celebrate the launch of the iconic Italian city car and will be offered
in a charity auction, with all the proceeds to go to one of Leonardo Di
Caprio’s environmental organizations.
The new Fiat 500 EV will be available only
in a convertible bodystyle with a sliding fabric top initially, followed by a
proper hard-top variant on a later date. Fiat plans to keep the current
ICE-powered 500 on sale alongside the new electric model for at least two more
years.