Fiat’s Iconic 500 Metropolis Automobile to Return to U.S. in 2024 as an EV

• Fiat introduced in the present day that its cute 500 minicar will return to the North America market after a four-year absence.
• In contrast to the previous-generation automobile, the five hundred might be bought right here solely as the electrical 500e.
• The brand new 500e is already on sale in Europe and comes with an estimated driving vary of as much as 199 miles on Europe’s very optimistic WLTP cycle.

After Fiat discontinued of the five hundred and 500L fashions in North America just a few years again, we have been skeptical about the way forward for the model. The 500X SUV is the one Fiat at the moment bought on our shores, however now a totally redesigned 500e electrical hatchback is on the way in which to offer Fiat a lift within the U.S. market.

Primarily based on the five hundred metropolis automobile that is bought in Europe already, the 500e will go on sale right here as a 2024 mannequin, however Fiat has thus far been tight-lipped on particulars about U.S. specs for its electrical powertrain and battery pack. We suspect it can port over precisely as it’s bought in Europe, with the bigger of the 2 accessible battery packs, a 37.3-kWh unit, and an electrical motor driving the entrance wheels that may present as much as 117 horsepower.

With this bigger battery, the 500e carries a spread estimate of 199 miles on the European WLTP cycle. However except Fiat by some means squeezes a bigger battery pack into the U.S. variant, we count on to see a considerably decrease EPA vary estimate, doubtless round 160 miles per cost.

The 500e seems to be coming to the U.S. in each hardtop hatchback and softtop convertible physique kinds, though there is no phrase but on if the European model’s 3+1 door configuration will make the leap. With assist from Italian vogue homes Armani and Bulgari in addition to up to date furnishings design agency Kartell, Fiat has proven three one-off idea vehicles on the 2022 Los Angeles auto present that spotlight the automobile’s modern styling.

The Armani 500e, for instance, contains a particular exterior paint therapy with a laser-etched chevron sample meant to make it appear to be cloth. The Kartell model makes use of sustainable plastics to decorate up the automobile’s inside, and the Bulgari mannequin sports activities an upscale look in and out with colourful embroidered upholstery and an identical mural on the dashboard. That model additionally contains a detachable brooch with inset amethyst, topaz, and citrine gems mounted on the heart of the steering wheel. We do not count on such an choice to make it to manufacturing, sadly.

These within the know will keep in mind that 500e model of the previous-gen automobile was bought right here again via 2019 mannequin 12 months, though its availability was restricted to California and Oregon. That mannequin was an enormous cash loser for the model, with former Fiat Chrysler boss Sergio Marchionne famously telling Reuters in 2014 that he hoped not too many individuals would purchase it as a result of his firm misplaced about $14,000 on each.

This time round, the 500e is poised to current a greater enterprise case. For starters, it will doubtless be supplied in on the market in additional states, and we count on it can carry the next beginning worth than the 2019 model, which retailed for round $34,000.

The 500e might be among the many first EVs to achieve the U.S. from Fiat’s dad or mum firm, Stellantis. Whereas rivals akin to Basic Motors, Ford, and Volkswagen have quickly launched EV fashions, Stellantis has lagged. The corporate has proven flashy ideas such because the Chrysler Airflow and the Dodge Charger Daytona, however these vehicles are nonetheless within the idea stage. For the reason that 500e is already on sale in different elements of the world, it might beat these automobiles to manufacturing.

Fiat says the manufacturing model of the 500e will debut subsequent 12 months on the 2023 Los Angeles auto present, and by then we’ll doubtless know extra concerning the automobile’s powertrain, battery, and driving vary.

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