Big news from Fiat: It's just introduced the third generation of its 500 hatchback, complete with new looks, a bigger footprint, and electric power only. Unfortunately, it hasn't yet been confirmed for the U.S. market.
Gone are the combustion engines from the old 500, replaced by a new floor-mounted 42 kWh battery pack that Fiat says can achieve 199 miles of range on the WLTP cycle. There's also an 85-kW fast charger onboard, meaning the car can go from zero to 80-percent charged in just 35 minutes. Fiat rates the car at 117 horsepower, with an estimated 0-62 mph time of nine seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 93 mph.
While the new 500 retains the same general design and shape as its predecessor, there are numerous upgrades to differentiate it. The body is 2.4 inches wider and 2.4 inches longer, while the wheelbase has been extended by just under an inch. The front and rear tracks have also been widened to give the car "a stronger personality and greater comfort." The car's signature round headlights have been split between the bumper and the front hood, with the main cluster sitting in the lower portion.
Inside also sees some noticeable improvements, with a more streamlined dashboard and a cleaner console. The gearshift area has been replaced with storage bins, and the gauge cluster is now totally digital.
Pre-orders for the new Fiat 500 are already open in Europe, though pricing has yet to be announced. A Fiat Chrysler spokesperson told Road & Track the company is currently evaluating the car's potential for the North American market, meaning U.S. availability is still up in the air. Fiat stopped selling the standard 500 in America in September 2019, so to see it come back as a niche EV would be pretty great.
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