It won't be the longest-range electric vehicle (EV) on the market, but it might be the funkiest. The 2024 Fiat 500e will also be the lightest EV available.
The 500e will only have 240 km of range on a full charge, thanks to a 42-kWh battery. It's a small battery pack, but the car's light weight (just 1,361 kg) helps the 500e make the most of it.
The 500e's motor makes 118 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque. It's enough for to get from zero to 100 km/h in 8.5 seconds, which is far zippier than the 1957 gas 500 could have ever imagined. There are three drive modes, including Normal, Range (with one-pedal driving), and Sherpa, which is a range-maximizer that limits the top speed to 80 km/h and the power to 76 hp.
A small battery pack helps with quicker charging. Though it maxes out at 85 kW, it's enough to get from zero to 80 per cent in 35 minutes, or you can get a full charge in a little over four hours on a Level 2 charger.
Fiat has fitted the 500e with a 7.0-inch digital dashboard and a 10.25-inch centre screen running Uconnect 5. The Uconnect system has Amazon Alexa home-to-car capability, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and voice controls with over-the-air updates. Other tech includes automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, and pedestrian detection alert.
The Fiat 500e plays a song to pedestrians called "The Sound of 500." Composed by Italian musicians Flavio Ibba and Marco Gualdi, it's a short orchestral arrangement that Fiat has included to give you a taste of Italy in every drive. More practically, it will warn pedestrians of its presence.
Though it resembles the prior gas-powered 500, Fiat says this car uses a dedicated electric platform, and while still compact and city-friendly, it is wider and longer than the old 500.
Fiat will launch the 500e in Canada in early 2024, starting with B.C. and Quebec. Other Canadian markets will get the model as production ramps up. Pricing starts from $39,995 plus destination for the (RED) Edition, the only model available, which will include a donation to the Global Fund charity.
The plan for this model is a series of special "drops" much like a shoe or fashion brand. Each will be limited and timed with various partners to work to help keep the model fresh.
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