The Fiat 500e was first introduced in America as a 2013 model. It had a range between 84 and 87 miles, which was considered acceptable. However, it fell far short of its competitors by 2019. It was built in Mexico and was only used as a compliance vehicle to earn Fiat Chrysler clean energy credits in the US. It was also sold only in California or Oregon. Sergio Marchionne, then CEO, stated that he hoped no one would purchase one as the automaker lost money every time it sold one. The 2024 Fiat 500e model is an entirely different fish. The new Fiat 500e is brand-new with a chic, updated take on the original 500’s adorable styling. The 500e EV’s modern-day reboot is appropriate, since there are no Fiat 500s with gas engines.
Although the design, power output and performance of the new car are very similar to the original, the range has been vastly improved. It now surpasses the Mini Cooper SE. However, it cannot match the Chevrolet Bolt or Nissan Leaf. We are hopeful that the US will receive the new Abarth derivative with 152 horsepower, which is a much-needed halo car to restore Fiat’s position in the American market.
2024 Fiat 500e Release Date & Price
Fiat USA set a local release date for Fiat 500e in Europe. The car has been on the streets of Europe since 2020. It will be available in the US only in spring 2024. Public launch is planned for November 2023 at Los Angeles Auto Show. It will be imported directly from Italy, and not assembled at the Mexican Toluca Car Assembly Factory.
The price of the 2024 Fiat 500e is not known. Current speculation suggests that it could be between $30,000 to $40,000. The old Fiat 500e was priced at $33,000 in 2019, and the new car will likely be around the same price. It would be a good value to start at $35,000 for the base model with the 42-kWh batteries. However, Fiat could opt for a more exclusive approach, in which case it might go for close to $40,000 It might be difficult to sell it next to the sub-$30k0 Bolt and Mini, which cost $34k. We are curious about Stellantis USA’s pricing strategy.
Exterior and Colours
The 2012 Fiat 500 is a modern, masterful reimagining of the small toy that was the rear-engined 500 in the 1950s. We dare say Fiat has done it again. The 2024 500e is not a tasteless mashup of retro styling cues. It is still recognizable as a 500 and yet is a forward-thinking, modern electric supermini that will be right at home in 2020. The striking oranges and purples it looks in are reminiscent of the original Fiat designs. However, it is more likely that the Fiat 500e colors will be the same as the European 500. This is especially true since it was made in Italy. Only five colors are available: Ocean Green (an attractive blue), Celestial Blue (an iPhone-like Rose Gold), Celestial Blue Ice White, Onyx Black and Mineral Grey.
In the US, the old gas-powered 500 was available in convertible and hatchback versions. The latter was a roll-top that used the hatchback’s roof rails. Only a hard-top 500e was ever available. The 500e’s European counterpart is available in two different body styles. There is also a “3+1” body with a smaller rearward-opening rear door that allows rear-seat passengers easy access. This is a marriage between two concepts: one rear door, like the Hyundai Veloster, and one rear-opening door like the Mazda RX-8. The hatchback and convertible will be available in the US, and we are confident. However, there isn’t any word on the 3+1. We’ll have to wait and watch. We might get the 500e, which is completely imported and not manufactured here.
Dimensions
The last 500e, which was only 142.4 inches in length, was a small car. The exterior dimensions of the latest Fiat 500e have not changed much. It measures in at 143 inches with standard European bumpers, but can be as long as 144.8 inches according to some reports. It measures 66.5 inches in width (74.8 inches when equipped with mirrors) and 60.1 inches high. The wheelbase of the vehicle increases slightly to 91.4 inches. We don’t know the exact curb weights of the new model, but it is expected to weigh in at least the same as the older one (roughly 3,000 lbs), even with the larger battery. The lightweight, lightweight eDrive system developed by GKN is a major factor in this. The total weight of the entire 117-hp motor is only 138 pounds. This will allow for curb weight to be kept in check. The current lightest European version, with the base specification and 24-kWh battery, weighs in at 2,767 lbs, while the heavier version with the larger battery is 3,097 lbs.
Engine & Performance
In terms of power and performance, the new 500e isn’t too different from the previous model. If the US is given the current European specification, the outputs of the electric motor are slightly higher than the old model’s 111 horsepower and 147 lbft of torque. The electric motor of the 2024 Fiat 500e produces 117 horsepower and 162 lbft. It is front-mounted and drives only the front wheels. The new Fiat 500e claims it can sprint from 0 to 62 mph in nine seconds, without the US-standard one foot rollout. This should be pretty close to the performance of the old model, which ran the 0-60 mph sprint in just 8.4 seconds. It’s not fast but it isn’t Tesla. Given the quick response of EVs, and the brisk 3 minutes it takes to reach 31 mph, the 500e should feel quite responsive in the city, where it is at its best. There are three driving modes: Normal, Range, or Sherpa. The latter is designed to increase your range and help you reach your destination.
Range, Charging, and Battery Life
The new 500e comes with the same base 24-kWh battery as the previous model, but there’s a bigger 42-kWh battery. This is the battery for which the performance claims above are made. The European 500e is said to have a range of 115 miles on its small battery. However, this is based on an optimistic WLTP cycle. Once the EPA has it, expect to travel around 90-95 MPGe. This improvement is compared to the 2019 500e’s 84 and 112 MPGe combined with the same size battery. It is unlikely that it will be a success in the US market due to its low range.
The bigger battery can deliver 199 miles using the WLTP cycle. This should be enough to beat rivals like the Mini Cooper SE’s 114 mile and the base Leaf’s 149 miles. However, it is still 100 miles less than the Bolt’s 259 mile. It is easy to top-up and can accept fast charging. This should give it 25 EPA miles in just five minutes. In 35 minutes, the battery can charge up to 80 percent.
2024 Fiat 500e New Designs
Due to its status as a compromise package (a gas-engined car that was converted into an electric vehicle), the last Fiat 500e’s trunk area was only 7 cubic feet. The space-hogging battery was removed from the 500, which offered cargo space of 9.5 cubic feet. We expect no packaging compromises in the new 500e, which was built from the ground up as an EV. It should be comparable to or better than the 500-watt gas-powered version’s 9.5-cube volume.
Fiat claims that the European model weighs 19.4 cubes. However, this figure is not hidden behind the second row of luggage covers. It’s likely to be a total figure when the rear seats are folded. This means it will work well for two-up touring and luggage. A new push-button-style, dash-mounted gear selector has made it easier to store knick-knacks in the interior.
The cabin has a lot more passenger space. While children won’t be too happy in the rear seats, Fiat 500e’s interior design and presentation are certainly upmarket. The interior is now more luxurious than ever, with better materials and assembly quality. This is a necessity given the expected price rise. The round gauge cluster from the older model is still there, but it can now be configured digitally. It’s joined by a 10.25-inch, landscape-style infotainment touchscreen at the top of the center stack. This software runs Stellantis’ Uconnect 5, which should include wireless smartphone mirroring and over-the-air updates. Although all modern driving-assist features like adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking are available, they won’t be included on all trims.