Fiat 500e: First of many EVs in the Fiat family
Photo: Fiat 500e
The Fiat 500e to be the first of many EVs in the Fiat family
The Fiat 500 is a little long in the tooth; despite a refresh and some added equipment, the current generation cinquecento has been around since 2012. But a successor to the reborn Italian classic is definitely on the way. The 500E is the only electrified model that Fiat currently sells in the United States, and an electrified version of the little city car called the 500 Electric, will be making a comeback with the second generation of 500.
The Italian automaker is holding firm on the electrification of its models and the starting point will be that new Fiat 500 Electric, set to launch in Q2 2020.
According to Autocar, the company's new plan also includes five electric/plug-in hybrid Fiat models. Models that might get an electrified power plant include the soon-to-be-redesigned Fiat Panda (which will be based on the much lauded Fiat Centoventi concept), and the eventual suv/crossover 500 Giardiniera – though there’s no word on whether the United States will be getting the estate version.
Fiat CEO Olivier François told Autocar:
“Fiat has a double mission. Urban mobility is core today, but at the same time, it means family transportation. In southern Europe, this is especially true.”
“For our future product plan, we need the right balance between the two dimensions: the Fiat 500 family and family transportation. There will be no big cars, no premium cars, no sporty cars because they have no legitimacy. We will be present in the C-segment [Ford Focus class] but not much more. All models will sit within 3.5m and 4.5m. This is where Fiat will play. We need more EVs. And we need more 500 models that look legitimate enough to take higher pricing.”
Looks like Fiat is aiming upmarket with its next 500. We’ll see if it eventually pays off for them.
By Nicholas Yekikian
Borrow is an electric vehicle subscription company with one goal: to make driving an EV as simple and accessible as possible. Borrow is the only electric vehicle subscription service of its kind with a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and decarbonizing the everyday drive.