2024 Fiat 500e–When the Fiat 500e debuted in the United States in 2013, a range of 84-87 miles was considered adequate, but by 2019 – its final model year – it had become utterly uncompetitive. It was built in Mexico and was only sold in California and Oregon to obtain Fiat Chrysler clean-energy credits in the United States. The automaker’s CEO, Sergio Marchionne, even stated that he hoped no one would buy one because the company lost money on every one sold. The new Fiat 500e for 2024 is an entirely different kettle of fish. It’s all-new and features an updated and sophisticated twist on the original 500’s adorable style.
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2024 Fiat 500e Exterior
If the 2012 Fiat 500 is a masterful modern re-imagining of the tiny tot that was the original rear-engined 500 of the 1950s, then Fiat has done it again. Far from a bland mash-up of retro stylistic cues, the 2024 500e maintains true to the spirit of the original and is easily recognizable as a 500, while also being a forward-thinking and totally modern tiny electric supermini that belongs in the 2020s. It looks fantastic in the beautiful oranges and purples shown on the three one-off designer ideas Fiat has teased us with, but the colors for the US Fiat 500e are more likely to resemble those of the European 500, especially given it’s produced in Italy. There are just five colors: Ocean Green (a lovely turquoise), Rose Gold (similar to an iPhone), Celestial Blue, Ice White, Onyx Black, and Mineral Grey. The previous 2019 500e was a little automobile, measuring only 142.4 inches long. The exterior dimensions of the current Fiat 500e have not changed significantly, and it has a length of roughly 143 inches if the usual European bumpers are retained, or as much as 144.8 inches if some claims are to be accepted. It measures 66.5 inches wide (74.8 inches with mirrors) and 60.1 inches tall. Its wheelbase expands slightly to 91.4 inches. Curb weights aren’t available yet, but we expect the new one to be close to the old one’s around 3,000-pound base weight, even with the larger battery. This is aided by the sophisticated lightweight eDrive system developed by GKN.
2024 Fiat 500e Interior
The trunk space of the previous Fiat 500e was a meager 7 cubic feet due to the fact that it was a compromised package, being a gas-engined car turned into an EV. With the battery removed, the gas-powered 500 gave a more practical 9.5 cu-ft of cargo room. The new 500e was built from the ground up to be an EV, so we don’t foresee any packing concessions. It should match or exceed the 9.5-cube volume of the original gas-powered 500. Fiat claims 19.4 cubes for the European model, but given the car’s size, that is clearly not behind the second row beneath the luggage cover, but rather a total figure with the back seats folded, so it’ll just about work for two-up travelling with luggage. Interior storage space has been increased, thanks in part to a new dash-mounted push-button-style gear selector that frees up room in the center console.
Inside the cabin, passenger room is slightly improved, and while only youngsters will be comfortable on the small rear seats, the Fiat 500e’s interior appearance and presentation have undoubtedly been elevated. The assembly quality and materials have been enhanced, and the inside appears to be much more premium than previously – a necessity considering the anticipated price hike. The old model’s familiar round gauge cluster is still present, but it’s now a configurable digital affair, and it’s joined by a landscape-style 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen atop the center stack running Stellantis’ latest Uconnect 5 infotainment software, which should include wireless smartphone mirroring, over-the-air updates, Amazon Alexa, wireless charging, a JBL audio system, and navigation. All of today’s driving-support technology, such as adaptive cruise control, automated emergency braking, and lane-keep assist, are available but are unlikely to be standard on all grades.
2024 Fiat 500e Engine
In terms of power and performance, the new 500e is very similar to the previous model. Assuming the US adopts the current European specification, the electric motor’s outputs are slightly higher than the previous model’s 111 horsepower and 147 lb-ft of torque. The electric engine in the 2024 Fiat 500e produces 117 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque; it is front-mounted and drives the front wheels like before. Given that Fiat claims a 0-62-mph sprint time of nine seconds for the new 500e without the US-standard one-foot rollout, it should have roughly the same performance as the previous model, which could hit 60 mph in around 8.4 seconds in independent US testing. That’s not quick, but this isn’t a Tesla, and given EVs’ immediate response and the 3.1 seconds it takes to reach 31 mph, it should feel quite responsive in the city, which is its natural environment. Normal, Range, and Sherpa driving modes are offered, with the latter maximizing your range to help you reach your destination without running out of electrons.
2024 Fiat 500e Price & Release date
While the Fiat 500e has been on European roads since 2020, Fiat USA has provided an anticipated local release date and stated that the car will only be available in the US in the spring of 2024, with a public debut planned for November 2023 at the Los Angeles Auto Show. It will be imported directly from Italy and will no longer be built at Mexico’s Toluca Car Assembly facility. There are no clear predictions on the pricing of the 2024 Fiat 500e, but current conjecture is that it could cost between $30,000 and $40,000. To remind you, the original Fiat 500e cost roughly $33,000 when it was withdrawn in 2019; the new car is unlikely to be less expensive. A starting MSRP of roughly $35,000 for the base model with the 42-kWh battery would seem reasonable, especially given that this Italian import will not be eligible for tax breaks, but Fiat could opt for a more boutique approach, in which case a beginning price of near to $40,000 is plausible.