Low-volume 2024 Fiat 500e to guarantee buyers exclusivity in the U.S.

Introduced in March 2020, the all-new Fiat 500 has finally received the green signal for North America. It reaches U.S. dealers as the 2024 Fiat 500e in Q1 2024 (January-March 2024). The North American-spec 500e will debut at the 2023 LA Auto Show (November 17-26, 2023). Here’s everything you need to know about the future MINI Cooper Electric rival:

Design

The new Fiat 500 Electric features a sophisticated exterior that gives it an upmarket look, but it has a familiar shape and retains the signature design elements. Looks are subjective, but we think it would be hard to find someone who doesn’t find the EV charming and friendly!

Most automakers just started deleting upper grilles and using covered surfaces instead to prepare for the EV era, but the 21st-century Fiat 500 was born ready for that look. The second-gen car builds on that design with more flair, featuring two slim chrome stripes and a chrome 500 logo in the middle.

The main attraction of the new Fiat 500e is the hood separating the modular elliptical headlights from the DRLs that look like eyelashes on the hood. Additional, circular LED DRLs below the headlights, spread further out on the horizontal axis, to add emotion. An intricately detailed wide grille serves the cooling needs of the EV’s core components.

On the sides, the new Fiat 500e flaunts flush-fitting door handles and 17-inch 3D-look two-tone alloy wheels. At the rear, there’s a block-lettered Fiat logo below the glass and a new set of LED combination lamps that gives the car a more assertive and confident look despite the small dimensions.

Interior

The interior of the new 500 has a completely new design, but with clear references to the first-gen model’s elements. The sleeker dashboard, steering wheel, and infotainment system display make the cabin seem modern and spacious. The circular instrument binnacle houses a 7-inch color display. An all-new Uconnect 5 infotainment system is available with a 7-inch touchscreen in the basic configurations and a 10.25-inch touchscreen in the more expensive configurations. The U.S. model may only get the latter.

Specifications

The new Fiat 500e measures 3,632 mm (143.0 in.) in length, 1,748 mm (68.8 in.) in width, and 1,527 mm (60.1 in.) in height and has a 2,332 mm (91.8 in.) wheelbase. Fiat sells the new 500e in Europe in three body styles: 2-door hatchback, convertible, and 3-door hatchback. The company should offer at least the 2-door hatchback and convertible versions in the U.S.

Fiat makes the new 500e in two power electric variants, driven by a single motor on the front axle. The base variant produces 70 kW (94 hp) and 220 Nm (162 lb.-ft.) of torque and the top-end variant’s motor generates 87 kW (117 hp) and 220 Nm (162 lb.-ft.) of torque. The former has a 21.3 kWh lithium-ion battery pack and the latter uses a 37.3 kWh lithium-ion battery pack.

Both variants support charging at up to 11 kW on alternating current. On direct current, the base variant can accept power at up to 50 kW, while the top-end variant supports up to 85 kW. We’ve mentioned the charging times in the specifications table at the end of this section.

Don’t expect Europe’s base variant to come to the U.S., as the power and range feel inadequate. In Italy, the new 500e delivers a WLTP range of up to 190 km (118 miles) in the base variant. In the top-end spec, the WLTP range is 327 km (203 miles) in the 2-door hatchback, 307 km (191 miles) in the convertible version, and 314 km (195 miles) in the 3-door hatchback. This specification feels more suited for the needs of the North American electric car buyer.

Aspect	Base New Fiat 500e Specification	Top-end New Fiat 500e Specification
Length	3,632 mm (143.0 in.)	3,632 mm (143.0 in.)
Width	1,748 mm (68.8 in.)	1,748 mm (68.8 in.)
Height	1,527 mm (60.1 in.)	1,527 mm (60.1 in.)
Wheelbase	2,332 mm (91.8 in.)	2,332 mm (91.8 in.)
Drivetrain Layout	FWD	FWD
Power	70 kW (94 hp)	87 kW (117 hp)
Torque	220 Nm (162 lb.-ft.)	220 Nm (162 lb.-ft.)
0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) Acceleration Time	9.5 seconds	9 seconds
Top Speed	135 km/h (84 mph)	150 km/h (93 mph)
Battery Pack Capacity (Net)	21.3 kWh	37.3 kWh
Maximum WLTP Range (Combined)	2-door hatchback: 190 km (118 miles) Convertible: 190 km (118 miles) 3-door hatchback: 190 km (118 miles)	2-door hatchback: 327 km (203 miles) Convertible: 307 km (191 miles) 3-door hatchback: 314 km (195 miles)
Maximum AC Charging Power	11 kW	11 kW
Lowest AC Charging Time (0-100% SoC)	2 hours 30 minutes	4 hours 15 minutes
Maximum DC Charging Power	50 kW	85 kW
Lowest DC Charging Time (0-80% SoC)	30 minutes	35 minutes

Price

Fiat CEO Olivier Francois has said the 2024 Fiat 500e will be an expensive car, but still, “people will line up” to buy it, as per a MotorTrend report dated November 18, 2022. The report suggests availability will be limited, which, along with the premium price, will ensure customers purchasing the car will make heads turn almost everywhere they drive!

New Abarth 500 Electric U.S. launch

The first-ever Abarth 500 Electric, which comes with the same 37.3 kWh battery pack but a punchier, 113.7 kW (151 hp)/235 Nm (173 lb.-ft.) motor that shrinks the 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) sprint time to 7 seconds, could arrive in the U.S. in 2025 or later. Francois said he would love to sell the first electric Abarth “at some point,” but a final decision is pending.

TopElectricSUV says

The 2024 Fiat 500e could be a fun little EV for the urban grind. For the style and exclusivity it offers, this small and basic car could be a good choice for young customers, who don’t mind the premium price tag.

2024 Fiat 500e FAQs

Featured Image Source: Fiat