Fiat’s 500e electric car will be introduced to Australia this year.

Retaining the look and feel of the small, classic, petrol-powered Fiat 500, the four-seater 500e is, Fiat Australia says, equipped with a front-mounted electric motor outputting 87kW delivering peak torque output of 220Nm. That’s good enough to push the car from 0-100km/h in nine seconds.

A 42kWh battery pack sits underneath the stylish body, and three charging modes are supported. There’s a CCS COMBO Type 2 socket that enables both domestic AC and DC fast charging, with a DC fast-charging rate of 85kW offered as standard. Fiat says this enables a 0 to 80 per cent charge in 35 minutes. In Europe, the Fiat 500e is certified to a range of 311km.

Designed, engineered, and manufactured in Italy, the Fiat 500e offers all manner of driving assistance tech enabling Autonomous Driving Level 2 as standard. This tech, Fiat says, includes Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Centring, rear-view parking camera and blind spot monitor Autonomous Emergency Braking, Traffic Sign Recognition, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System, iACC with Lane Centring and Traffic Jam Assist and more.

Inside, quality fit and finish are completed by unique design cues and includes a two-spoke steering wheel and a rounded cluster that makes a connection with the 1957 original 500. A glass roof comes standard and the car is also equipped with a retractable curtain.

According to Fiat, the 500e is rated one of the most environmentally friendly cars on the market, scoring a maximum five-star rating from the Green New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). It was, the company says, the first vehicle to achieve a maximum score of 10/10 in the Energy Efficiency Index.

Launching in the sole La Prima model trim, the 500e is to be available in six colours – Ice White, Onyx Black, Ocean Green, Mineral Grey, Rose Gold, and Celestial Blue, with the interior featuring Ice Beige FIAT monogramming Eco-Leather and premium dashboard trim.

Base Vehicle Price (excluding on-road costs and dealer delivery) is marked at $52,550 with premium and tri-coat paint options coming in at $700 and $1600 more respectively.

Source: Motor Trader e-Magazine (April 2023)

19 April 2023