2021 Fiat 500 electric announced, production limited to 500 units

KUALA LUMPUR: Fiat 500, the iconic small hatchback of the Italian automaker, has been around since 1957. Over the six decades and two generations, it has gone through many updates. Now for the upcoming third-generation, it has been optimized and redesigned to house the electric drivetrain. It also indicates a longer wheelbase, which means more space inside the car.

The new electric 500, nicknamed as La Prima features an electric motor capable of generating 118 PS of power. It can run a 0-100 kmph sprint in just nine seconds, while 0-50 kmph comes in 3.1 seconds only before hitting a top speed of 150 kmph. 

The drivetrain gets the power from a 42 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, which offers an approximate driving range of 320 kilometres. It can be charged with an 85 kW fast charger with both DC as well as AC power sources. It charges the battery to 80 percent in 35 minutes. However, just five minutes of charge will be pretty good to drive around 48 kilometres.

EV will have three driving modes - Normal, Range, and Sherpa. The normal mode is almost like the performance of a petrol car. Sherpa, on the other side, is more like an eco mode, which limits the top speed to 80 kmph and also turns off climate control and heated seat functionalities. Furthermore, it also lowers down the throttle sensitivity.

The Range mode comes between the above two and features something called ‘one-pedal drive’. It means the car will accelerate when the throttle pedal is pressed while it will decelerate slowly when it is released. It also regenerates the battery. Though, the brakes are required to be pressed for bringing the car to a standstill.

The Fiat 500 electric will also have Level 2 autonomous driving, where it speeds up and brakes to keep a fixed speed while handling the lane changes. The system is equipped with AEB, front camera as well as sensors.

The production of the model is limited to 500 units. Out of which, three specially designed cars will be auctioned at a charity event.

Also read: Fiat Chrysler and PSA Group finalised a 50:50 merger deal