- Exterior styling mildly refreshed from the design introduced in the mid-2000s.
- The little EV rides on a revised FCA small-car platform, a different one from the ICE 500.
- The 500e provides a range of up to 320-km on a full charge.
The Fiat 500e has an interesting past if mostly because it was never sold in Europe, until now. When it was first unveiled, at the 2012 LAAS, it was intended for select US markets only where it was sold between 2013 and 2017. Now, for the “second” generation Fiat 500e, the story is very different. This new car is headed for the European market only and Fiat’s prepared it to compete.
The electric version of this minicar will ride on a slightly larger platform than the petrol-powered car. The 500e is marginally larger, longer and taller than the ICE 500 but retains its immediately recognizable design. The cabin is spruced up with a new display and dashboard.
It will be powered by a 116-horsepower electric motor fed by a 42-kWh lithium ion battery. Range is said to be of up to 320 km and with its 85 kW charger, can reach an 80% state of charge in about 35 minutes.
Unlike here in North America where the wave of EVs is still a few years off, Europe is bracing for an initial onslaught as early as this summer. The Renault Twingo Z.E., the Honda e, the VW e-Up! and many more have just arrived or are about to land. Production of the new Fiat 500e has begun with a 37,900 euros ($42,700 US) Prima, or launch edition, which will be followed by more affordable iterations soon after.
Source: Automotive News Europe
Fiat 500e – Fiat
