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MIAMI – It has been onerous occasions for Fiat followers. The model discontinued its 500 mannequin line after 2019, leaving solely the four-door crossover-ized 500X on sale, and whereas it deliberate to introduce the substitute for its 500e electrical metropolis automotive round that point, just a little pandemic threw a wrench within the works. Now, in 2024, the oldsters from Turin are lastly able to let Individuals style the Dolce Vita supplied by that new 500e. Has the wait been price it? I went to Miami to search out out.
As you’d count on, the 2024 Fiat 500e is as soon as once more a completely electrical metropolis automotive. In contrast to its predecessor (2013-2019), this 500e appears like a extra full EV bundle than a “compliance automotive” meant to fulfill rules in states like California. The “New Fiat 500” has been on sale in Europe since 2020, so whereas this can be a new mannequin for the US, it is by now a well-established platform.
Just like the outdated 500e, the 2024 500e encompasses a front-wheel-drive structure, with a everlasting magnet motor offering a whopping 117 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque. That motor is paired with a 42-kilowatt-hour battery (round 38 of which is usable, per Fiat engineers) for an EPA-estimated vary of 149 miles (or 116 with summer season tires). That does not sound like quite a bit – and it is not – however this is not a car designed for lengthy street journeys or super-commuters. Fiat claims a 0-60 time of 8.5 seconds and a prime velocity of 94 mph, however I think that driving at that velocity could be trouser-browningly sketchy.
Not that the 500e feels unstable round city (Fiat did not embrace any freeway driving throughout my temporary stint with the automotive). It presents the sort of fast, correct steering and subcompact agility that made the unique 500e a lot extra enjoyable to drive than it wanted to be. The steering is mild however not overly so and presents a really tight turning circle of simply 31.5 toes, making the “Oh wait, there is a parking spot! Get it!” maneuver a lot simpler than it might be in a bigger car.
Whereas the steering is superior, the 500e’s experience is not as nice. It is not unladen-full-size-truck brutal by any means, however calling it busy over damaged metropolis streets appears like a charitable means of placing it. This is not an costly automotive with refined suspension, and, once more, given its meant use case, I would not rely the experience as an enormous level in opposition to it.
One of many greatest leaps ahead from the outdated 500e to this new model is the addition of DC quick charging functionality. The 2024 mannequin makes use of a CCS (mixed charging system) plug for quick charging at as much as 85 kilowatts. That sounds extra like a consuming straw for electrons than the standard 150 or 350 kW firehose-like charging capabilities of most trendy EVs, nevertheless it beats the Mini Cooper SE by 35 kW, and Fiat claims it’s going to cost from 10% to 80% in 35 minutes. Fiat can be leaning onerous into Stage 2 charging by giving 500e consumers a selection between a free Stage 2 wall charger or $600 in charging credit with Stellantis’ companion Free2Move.
Being a easy automotive general, the 500e presents three drive modes. There’s Regular, Vary and the questionably named Sherpa. Regular is pretty self-explanatory, Vary chills out the acceleration for higher effectivity, and Sherpa is like Vary mode plus. It shuts down the HVAC system and offers you the least responsive accelerator pedal and most regenerative braking. Or in Fiat’s phrases, Sherpa mode takes “cost of the entire expedition and guides it to the vacation spot” by adjusting these above parameters. In contrast to EVs from different manufacturers (taking a look at you, Germans) the 500e presents one-pedal driving, which is right for intra-city commuting.
The 500e has a skateboard-style chassis with the battery pack situated underneath the ground of the passenger compartment. That is fairly customary stuff for practically all built-to-purpose electrical autos and presents the good thing about a really low heart of gravity, which makes for a enjoyable, agile driving expertise. That’s good, as a result of agility is what the 500e is all about.
The brand new 500e has grown in practically each course from its predecessor, however not by a lot. The distinction is usually felt inside, and that is a very good factor. Up entrance, the brand new 500e presents up 39.3 inches of headroom (up 0.4 from the outdated 500e), 41.8 inches of legroom (plus 1.1 inch) and 49.8 and 51.1 inches of hip and shoulder room, respectively (plus 2 inches and 1.7 inches). That improve is welcome, particularly as a really tall – 6 toes, 4 inches – particular person, although as a passenger, I would find it irresistible if its seat had the identical peak adjustment as the motive force’s seat. Again seat legroom can be up by 2 inches, however that also doesn’t make it wherever you’d need individuals you prefer to spend an prolonged time period. Cargo quantity is predictably piccolo at simply 7.5 cubic toes, up a half dice.
The 500e’s inside is fundamental with some sadly cheap-feeling supplies, nevertheless it’s aesthetically pleasing and never a horrible place to be. The seats are agency and lack actual bolstering however are clad (in my base check car) with cool-looking, embossed Fiat brand upholstery. There are many locations to retailer all of your stuff, although solely having one cupholder appears like a misstep for a car within the U.S., regardless of how small the automotive could also be. The 500e additionally will get a wi-fi charging pad as customary.
From a tech standpoint, the 500e is equally fundamental. The bottom RED mannequin lacks options like adaptive cruise management or lively lane hold help, however nonetheless will get issues like automated emergency braking, blind-spot warning and lane departure alert. If you would like extra driver help options, leaping as much as the “Impressed By” trims is the one technique to get them. Infotainment is dealt with by Stellantis’ sometimes wonderful Uconnect 5 system, together with a big-for-the-cabin 10.25-inch touchscreen I discovered to be crisp and responsive to the touch inputs. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are customary together with a wonderfully serviceable stereo system; “Impressed By Music” fashions get a seven-speaker JBL system, however we’re not driving these.
One thing that Fiat is extraordinarily happy with however that appeared absent on our check autos is the “Acoustic Automobile Alert System,” which performs a music on exterior audio system to warn pedestrians. This music, which you’ll take heed to under, is named “The Sound of 500” and was written by Flavio Ibba-Marco Gualdi. It is presupposed to play each time you set off till 12 mph or everytime you dip under that velocity, then give technique to a extra typical white noise. Sadly, regardless of my greatest efforts, I used to be unable to set off it. Maybe it was a pre-production situation, however both means, the bumper live performance must wait for an additional day.
One good factor concerning the 500e is that the 2024 is barely cheaper than the outdated mannequin regardless of being higher in practically each measurable respect. It’s not low-cost per se, on condition that Fiat thinks of itself as a premium model in the US. Nonetheless, with a sticker value of $34,095 (together with a $1,595 vacation spot payment) for the bottom (RED) model and $37,595 for the “Impressed By” variations, it isn’t utterly egregious both. That is strengthened by the truth that the one choices accessible on the RED or “Impressed by” trim ranges are tire selection (summers or all-seasons) and which of the beforehand talked about charging perks you need. Sadly, as a result of the 500e is in-built Italy (particularly, Fiat’s well-known Mirafiori manufacturing facility in Turin), it is not eligible for the federal EV tax credit score.
Whereas not horrible, that value is greater than you’d pay for the a lot faster Mini Cooper SE and its 181 hp. You pay for that additional efficiency another way, although, with an EPA-estimated vary of simply 114 miles. The Mini begins at $31,895, however the base spec is considerably barebones with 16-inch wheels and no Android Auto versus the Fiat’s awesome-looking customary 17-inch items and wi-fi smartphone connectivity for each Apple and Android gadgets. The Mini additionally solely quick costs at 50 kW, so for those who plan to make use of public DC quick chargers, plan to spend extra time ready round within the Mini (and annoying everybody else ready to cost).
Fiat 500e Impressed by Music
Now, the reply to the good query: Was the 2024 Fiat 500e well worth the four-year wait? In brief, yeah. Fiat claims that it took the time between the preliminary announcement in 2020 and now to search out and repair bugs with the car and guarantee it was as prepared for the U.S. market as attainable. In driving it, I discovered that, whereas nonetheless just a little tough across the edges, it is a superb selection for drivers becoming the 500e’s slender meant use case.
It is nimble, super-attractive (subjective, however necessary), presents an honest sufficient cabin and sufficient vary and efficiency to not really feel like a hindrance to visitors or a burden to your way of life. If you happen to dwell in a densely populated city space like New York or Los Angeles, the little Fiat will make life simpler and extra nice, however for those who’re someplace with large distances between locations, it isn’t the automotive for you.
I would not name the refreshed 500e a house run or a shoo-in for large gross sales, given its extremely particular function, however I loved my time with it and would advocate it to somebody on the lookout for just a little little bit of La Dolce Vita.
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