Electric Fiat 500 debuts

The first all-electric Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) car, a completely new Fiat 500, has had its global release.

The third generation Fiat 500 has more space, higher technology, a new style, but remains a Cinquecento.

It has a 42kWh battery with 320km range and an 85kW fast charger is supplied as standard, the car able to be fast charged to 80% in 35 minutes.

The engine output is 87kW, reaching 150 km/h (self-limited) and acceleration from 0-100km/h is in nine seconds and 0-50 km/h in 3.1 seconds.

FCA says it’s the first city car with level two autonomous driving, and the first FCA car equipped with the new UConnect 5 infotainment system.

Actor Leonardo Di Caprio has even offered his endorsement to the 500 new electric city car vision. In the “All-In” video campaign, he invites everyone to make their own contribution.

Fiat’s strategy aimed at improving the planet also includes a charity auction, with proceeds from the sale of the three unique models – the one-offs the 500 Giorgio Armani, the B.500 ‘Mai Troppo’ by Bvlgari and the 500 Kartell – going to one of Di Caprio’s environmental organisations.

The Fiat 500 is now an “Italian icon and honorary member” of Altagamma, the association that brings together the best Italian companies to promote national excellence around the world.

Online pre-bookings are open for the La Prima launch version offering 500 exclusive units per market with Easy Wallbox included.

When a customer buys the new Fiat 500, they are granted access to My Dream Garage, the exclusive subscription mobility service from Leasys for on-demand bookings on all FCA Group cars.

As mobility is expected to be more sustainable, connected and autonomous, with increasingly stringent regulations, the new Fiat 500 is expected to help meet all that.

The Combo 2 socket on the rear right side panel of the car powers the fast charger, for both AC and DC charging.

The new 500 has three driving modes: Normal, Range and Sherpa.

Sherpa mode optimises the available resources to ensure you will reach your destination.

Range mode activates a one-pedal-drive function.

Front-facing camera monitoring technology monitors all areas of the car.

The intelligent adaptive cruise control (iACC) system brakes or accelerates in response to anything such as cars, cyclists and pedestrians, and lane centering is also used.

Intelligent speed assist reads the speed limits and recommends applying them, while urban blind spot uses ultrasonic sensors to monitor the blind spots and warn of any obstacles with a triangular warning light on the wing mirror.

Attention assist provides warnings on the display, recommending taking a break when tired.

The car offers seamless integration with a smartphone, offering a 10.25-inch high-definition touchscreen.

‘My assistant’ connects the customer with an assistant to request help in the event of a breakdown and to receive support, which includes via e-mail.

‘My remote’ allows customers to check battery levels, schedule charging, lock doors, program air conditioning and to find their parked car from their smartphone.

Drivers can use ‘my car’ to check the car’s condition such as tyre pressure, then there’s ‘my navigation’, ‘my wifi’ and ‘my theft assistance’.

The launch version also has the ‘natural language’ interface system, with advanced voice recognition and also features full LED headlights, eco-leather upholstery, 17-inch diamond-cut wheels and chrome-plated inserts on windows and side panels.