Saluti Cinqucento!
With the all-new, all-electric 2024 500e Fiat hopes to create a buzz using what is easily the cutest car on the road.
The all-new 500e is longer, wider and lighter, with a longer all-electric driving range, faster charging and the latest in audio and driver safety systems compared to the predecessor model that was sold in North America from 2013 – 2019.
When Fiat announced 2019 would be the final year the 500e would be imported to North America, no reason was given but there was little doubt a completely updated version was in the works. Europe got its hands on the new 500e in 2020 and in the past four years it has accumulated one million owner miles, meaning when it hits North America it will be proven and debugged.
The cute factor was always the appeal of the 500e. With comfortable seating for two—three or four in a pinch—it became and remains the best-selling city electric vehicle. We did not have the chance to get behind the wheel at a recent press reveal event in Los Angeles, but if it is anything like the past version, it will be zippy and fun to drive.
So what has changed with the 2024 Fiat 500e? Plenty.
A New Day
“100-percent Electric, 100-percent Italian” is how Fiat describes the all-new 500e. It’s scheduled to be on sale at North American Fiat dealers by early summer 2024. It will be available in all 50 states, which is big change from the past model that was only sold in California and a few other states. Possibly bigger news is the 500 will now only come with electric propulsion, dropping the gasoline engine completely.
The 87 kW motor, up from 83 kW, puts out 118 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque. Fiat gives performance numbers of 0-60 mph in 8.5 seconds, using the front wheels and a single speed, reduction gear transmission.
The Fiat team at the press event, held at The Motoring Club in West Los Angeles, assured the media the performance and fun-factor have both been increased. When Clean Fleet Report last reviewed the 2019 500e it was a blast to drive—back then suggesting it should be considered a form of automotive entertainment.
Clean Fleet Report will have the chance to drive the 2024 500e in a couple months and will write a full review of our experience, so make sure to opt-in to the Clean Fleet Report newsletter (top right of page) to be notified of all new stories and vehicle reviews.
Driving Range and Charging
As the lightest electric vehicle in the market, the 500e will get an average of 149 all-electric miles (AER) on a full charge. But that bumps to 162 AER in the city, where Fiat says the 500e will be mostly used. The in-city range increase comes from regenerative braking, which converts kinetic energy into electric energy when applying the brakes or coasting, and stores it in the battery.
The 42-kWh lithium-ion battery, with an 11kW onboard charger, has the following estimated charge times:
0-to-80% in 35 minutes with an 85-kW DC fast charge;
0-to-100% in four hours and 15 minutes with a Level 2 (11-kW) charging station;
24 hours on a 120-volt wall plug.
To help with charging, Fiat is offering all new 500e owners the choice of a home Level 2 charger (installation labor not included) or charging credits through Free2Move. As it gets closer to the on-sale date, Fiat will reveal more details on these options.
A Smiling Face
The Fiat 500 line-up is all about being cool, having unmistakable Italian design and fun. Based on the iconic Cinquecento (first launched in 1957 and sold in various forms in the United States through 1983), the new 500 was introduced in 2012, followed by the all-electric 500e in 2013.
For 2024, the 500e is available in one trim level and only two options of either summer or all-season tires (mounted on 17-inch diamond-cut wheels), and the aforementioned charging options. The 500e has a fun face with large, round LED headlights and a mouth-like lower fascia grille. The upright design has sides that slope inward towards the roof, a raked front windshield continuing to the roof where the rear hatch is finished with a spoiler. Chrome pieces are non-existent—or necessary—for this very clean design. As of now a convertible 500e has not been announced.
Taking a cue from the fashion industry, and to be extra cool and hip, the Fiat 500e will have a periodic “product drop” where a limited quantity of different variants will be available for a limited time. The first drop is the 500e RED where for each sale a donation is made to the Global Fund to support life-saving prevention and treatment programs in communities most in need.
Cozy Interior
The 2024 Fiat 500e dash has a large, round gauge cluster peering from behind the classic two-spoke steering wheel, both of which harken to the original 1957 Fiat 500. The dash is clean and basic with everything well within reach of the driver including the UConnect5 10.25-inch horizontal center screen housing the audio, navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The cabin is compact, but Fiat says the 500e can be considered a “three seater” as an adult can sit in the rear seat on the passenger-side without too much trouble. In reality, it is designed for the driver and passenger who may opt to lay-down the 50:50 split rear seat and enjoy zipping around with enough storage space for in-town errands.
Pricing
The 2024 Fiat 500e has a base price of $34,095, which includes the $1,595 destination charges. The 500e does not qualify for the federal $7,500 tax credit unless it is leased, which could drop the final price to under $27,000, which would make it an attractive consideration. Built in Turin, Italy, it will be available at the 352 North American Fiat dealers beginning in early summer 2024.
Observations: 2024 Fiat 500e
Amir Ahmed, head of Fiat North America, said the “500e is the best city car you can drive.” He followed that with: “We don’t care if you know it is an EV because it is just a damn, fine car!”
Fiat, a 124-year old company is part of the 14-brand Stellantis conglomerate, sold 1.35 million vehicles worldwide last year (though only 605 in the U.S.). Having a limited presence in North America the past five years has kept them from growing that number. They hope the reintroduction of the 500e changes their fortunes.
Clean Fleet Report will write a detailed review of the 2024 Fiat 500e so make sure to opt-in to the Clean Fleet Report newsletter (top right of page) to be notified of all new stories and vehicle reviews.
Story by John Faulkner. Photos by John Faulkner and Fiat.
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