Fiat’s all-new and now, all-electric 2021
500e city car looks like it could be the world’s most stylish and
environmentally-friendly urban vehicle when it launches later this summer. As
seen from these images that surfaced on various websites and forums, including
Autodata, we can tell that the new Fiat 500e boasts LED light units (front and
rear), to go with a streamlined front fascia that kind of makes the city car
look like a trendy Stormtrooper.
Another noticeable change is the ‘500’
badge on the so-called grille (no need for one of those on an electric
vehicle). The new inscription replaces the old Fiat badge found on the current
500. Inside, the new 500e features a fully overhauled dashboard design, with a
new gauge cluster and a large, landscape-style infotainment display. Other
novelties include the materials found throughout the cabin, as well as the
steering wheel, which now boasts a classy dual-spoke design.
Last year, Fiat boss Olivier Francois made
it known that the all-new electric 500 would sit on a bespoke EV platform and
that it would “stay true to everything you know about the 500, but will be
entirely new. Under the skin it will be radically different, but otherwise you
will recognize the size and proportions.”
The big question right now remains the
powertrain, and while we don’t know any specifics, it’s safe to assume that
because of the 500’s small dimensions, it will likely still have less space for
batteries than say, something like a Nissan Leaf. The smallest battery
available for the latter is a 40 kWh one, offering up to 240 km of
range.
The old 500e came with a 24 kWh
lithium-ion battery pack, with a total range of just 140 km. As long
as the new one can top that, we reckon city-dwellers should be reasonably
happy.
Fiat is expected to launch the new 500e
sometime this summer.Mainstream models will eventually follow and the car will
be offered as a hatchback and convertible. However, it won’t immediately
replace the current 500 as the ICE model will reportedly remain for sale for a
“few more years.”