An electric Fiat 500 is coming
It’s been the happiest stylish bubble on the road since 1957, the Fiat 500 is now fully electric going into 2020. After so many years, this is the 3rd generation for the small car and it’s making big moves addressing emission problems as well as answering the fashion calling it was born with.
New design for a new electric Fiat 500
As their very first electric car, Fiat has made some changes to the design and arguably, for the better. It’s still a very recognisable figure on the road, in fact, Fiat has gone out of their way to make it something that people will talk about.
It’s not just about being economic for the car, but to be beautiful as beauty can convert the world according to Fiat. Looking at the front, it has a bolder face but keeps the cute round headlights. Unlike before, the hood runs through the headlights. The strong line that runs down the side of the car is still there, just stronger.
You can get this Fiat in 3 different colours inspired by nature. Mineral Grey for the earth, Ocean Green for the ocean and Celestial Blue for the sky.
The inside is a 500 and more.
Inside it’s everything a Fiat 500 is and more. It has more space, more technology and cleaner. It’s incredibly comfortable in the front where that additional space really makes a difference. It still feels like a regular 500. However, the bonnet that doesn’t have the same low angle makes points your gaze more into the road.
Everything flows well in this car and the really neat 10-inch infotainment system doesn’t replace all the manual buttons while still featuring more touch capability than the previous Fiat 500 Hybrid.
The materials in the car have all been carefully considered for their impact on the environment. The seats themselves are made of ‘Seaqual’, yarn made from recycled plastic that has been removed from the ocean.
This brings us to what you will be using to start the car; a black pebble. It’s meant to be one of the conversation pieces that Fiat really want to create for their electric 500.
Another such talking pieces is the sound. Many EVs create a motor sound for other drivers and pedestrians on the road to hear you as well as for you to hear yourself. Fiat has changed it up with this EV by making their engine play music. It’s completely customizable like a ringtone so you could make your 500 sound like anything.
Fiat 500 is made to move in the city
It’s powered by an 87 kW motor that can give you a range of 320 km through its lithium-ion batteries. It doesn’t stop there. City driving, what this car was made for, can get you a range of 400 km according to Fiat.
There is yet another range increasing factor and that is the Sherpa driving mode. Named after the Sherpas in the Himalayas, it will do everything it can to get you to your location. By lowering the energy use of the car and planning charging station stops when needed, Sherpa mode stops you from wondering if your electric car has the power to drive there.
Fiat have also made sure that you won’t be stuck when the power does go out. With an 85 kW fast charger, you can get your Fiat 500 to gain enough charge for 50 km in just 5 minutes. Then for at home, there is a Wallbox™ charger which takes 6 hours to get to full charge.
Let’s finally talk performance. It has a maximum speed of 150 km/ and can print to 100 km/h from standstill in 9 seconds. Not bad for a small city driving electric.
The first of its kind in autonomous driving
This is the first small city car to have level 2 autonomous driving and connectivity. Fiat says that it’s because you need it the most on the busy city streets.
The system uses cameras and an intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control (iACC) system which brakes or accelerates in response to what is happening around you. This Fiat also has Lane Cantering and Intelligent Speed Assist to keep you safe on the road.
Urban Blind Spot and the 360-degree sensors that give you a drone view of the obstacles allow you to make any parking or performing complex manoeuvres. The car will even make sure you are not falling asleep after a long day or a bad morning with Attention Assist.
Getting the new 500
Right now, Fiat will only be producing a limited amount of these 500s. To get one you will need to order one through their website. There will also be three unique one-off models for auction each custom-designed, one by Bvlgari, another by Armani and the third by Kartell.
When you buy one of these 500s, you will also get ‘My Dream Garage’ that would give you access to driving other cars from FCA.
Source: Fiat | QuickPic
