BUY, LEASE OR FINANCE A NEW FIAT 500 ELECTRIC FROM OSV: https://bit.ly/30pXZWS

At last, an all-new third generation Fiat 500. And contrary to appearances, everything is different. This is the very first all-electric car from the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles FCA conglomerate, a model to be marketed as 'New 500' and sold alongside the existing petrol hybrid model, which continues for the foreseeable future. This latest car is fractionally bigger than that old second generation model, but continues to be offered in 3-door hatch and convertible body styles. Unlike some stylised direct EV segment rivals, there's a proper driving range of nearly 200 miles with the volume 42kWh version.

TIMESTAMPS
00:00​​​​ Introduction
00:52 Background
03:04 Driving Experience
10:07 Design & Build
22:13 Market & Model Range
37:16 Cost of Ownership
46:11​​​ Summary

Background

A new Fiat 500 is a big deal. We had the cute original in 1957. The New Millennium model that saved Fiat as a car maker, launched in 2007. And this car, introduced in early 2020. It's only offered in full-electric form (which is why the old petrol mild hybrid model carries on). And that's part of the reason development of this MK3 model has been so lengthy. Fiat wanted to wait for battery technology to mature a bit before launching this car - and that's paid off, allowing the brand to engineer in a much longer EV driving range than close rivals, the MINI Electric and the Honda e.

"It doesn't feel time to be timid", says Fiat boss Oliver Francois. "This car isn't just for now, it's for the next decade. So it's built new from the ground up and it's all-electric and only electric from day one". But the exterior look is very recognisable, as is the hatch and convertible body style choice.

Driving Experience

There are two battery options available in New 500, but we'd suggest you try and ignore the smaller 24.2kWh unit fitted to the base fixed-top 'Action'-spec model, unless you really are urban-based. This uses a smaller 70kW (93hp) electric motor and restricts you to a WLTP-rated driving range of just 115 miles. Much better to stretch to the 42kWh battery pack that's mated to an 87kW (118hp) motor and is fitted across the rest of the range, including all cabriolet variants. This is good for 186-199 miles and takes half a second off the 0-62mph time (trimming it to 9 seconds). Like all EV's, this one feels even quicker off the mark than that figure suggests (30mph can be reached from rest in just 3.1s), though Fiat has tried to make power delivery quite linear so that you don't use up all your battery charge at once. Maximum speed is restricted though - to just 93mph in the 42kWh model - or 84mph in the 24.2kWh version. Various types of automated driving technology are available, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist and intelligent speed limit assist.

Various drive modes are available that will enable you to maximise your driving range. There are three settings - 'Normal', 'Range' and the curiously named 'Sherpa', with the last of these being focused on getting the maximum from the battery, including a navigation program that will limit the maximum speed to 50mph and restrict acceleration. The 'Range' mode maximises brake regeneration, meaning that you'll normally only have to drive with one pedal, so great will be the deceleration when you lift off the throttle. But most of the time, you'll be leaving in this car in its 'Normal' setting, in which form it won't require too much acclimatisation over a conventionally engined supermini.

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