Fiat 500.
The new Fiat 500 has made its global debut.
The new generation of the iconic city car has a range of up to 320km (based on the Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure) and receives 85kW fast charging as standard.
Production of the new Fiat 500 also returns to its birthplace of Turin, Italy where the first model was first created 63 years ago.
The design of the new Fiat 500 takes inspiration from the generations before it.
Starting from a blank sheet of paper, Fiat’s engineers have worked on every aspect of the car for the best possible range, charging and driving experience.
The lithium-ion batteries on the Fiat 500 have a capacity of 42kWh. Charging from an 85kW fast charge system will take the only five minutes to build up a sufficient energy reserve to travel 48km.
Using a fast charger can also power the battery to 80% capacity in just 35 minutes. The car’s Type 2 socket has the ability to accept both alternating current and direct current charging.
Charging from a 7.4kW wallbox meanwhile will provide a full charge at home in just over six hours. The new Fiat 500 also comes with a cable for charging at up to 11kW from a public charge point.
The electric motor has an output of 117bhp, providing a maximum speed of 150km/h. Acceleration from zero to 100km/h is completed in 9 seconds.
The Fiat 500 is also the first car in its segment to offer Level 2 autonomous driving, bringing all the associated benefits to urban mobility.
In terms of style, the new Fiat 500 brings together the considerable legacy of the two previous generations.
A “500” logo now appears at the centre of the front badge for the first time, in the place of the Fiat logo.
The logo at the rear is now embellished by a light blue border, with a play of design and colour transforming the final zero into a letter “e”.
The dividing line of the first generation that separated the bonnet from the circular head lights have been redesigned into the current model, now dividing the modular elliptical head light.
The light clusters are still round, but now use LED technology. The door handles sit completely flush with the bodywork.
The interior of the Fiat 500 is completely new. The manufacturer has furnished the interior with a wide dashboard and the modular storage solutions between the two front seats where the gear lever was originally located.
There is more leg and shoulder space for occupants, while the flat floor houses the lithium batteries without compromising the luggage compartment capacity, which remains unchanged.
Some trim levels will also receive seats made using “Seaqual” yarn with plastic recovered from the sea. Others make considerable use of eco-leather.
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The DS 3 Cabrio takes on the Fiat 500C in this Group Test
