Photo: Stellantis
For so many in North America, their first chance to lay eyes on the battery-electric future of the iconic Fiat 500 came from the Euro-spec La Prima at the Los Angeles and New York International Auto Shows back-to-back in 2022. Back then, Fiat promised production of North America's very own 500 EV would commence in North America starting in 2024.
Less than two months into the year, Stellantis delivered its promise. This is the 2024 Fiat 500e, and mass production has now officially begun in Turin, Italy. Contemporary all-electric Fiat 500s are all the rage in Europe. In countries like Germany, Italy, Spain, Belgium, and Austria, vast fleets of electric 500s account for great swaths of their national EV city car rolling stock. But the United States is a rebel nation, and plans that have worked like a charm in Europe routinely find themselves up in smoke as soon as they hit North American soil. In order to appeal to American sensibilities, Fiat would have to go above and beyond.
Luckily, the new North American-spec 500e appears to have done just that. With a 42 kilowatt-hour battery and 149 miles of projected battery range, the 500e is perfectly suited for urban runabout duty routinely faced by American drivers in and around big cities. It's the same kind of driving environment the all-electric 500e has already proved to be well-suited to over in Europe. Funky 17-inch, diamond-cut alloy wheels make for a fitting welcoming piece for the 500e's introduction to North America.
With an interior trimmed out far nicer than its city car dimensions would ever lead on, the 500e's standard features and creature comforts should make cruises long or short a downside more comfortable than small economy cars of days gone by. Thanks to vibrant color options like Red by (RED), Tuxedo Black, and Glacier White, the 500e will stick out like a brilliant gemstone mixed in with regular highway traffic.
"We’re thrilled that the Fiat 500e has officially begun its journey to reach customers in North America," said Olivier Francois, long-time FCA executive before the transition to Stellantis ownership, Fiat's current CEO and CMO global for Stellantis. “The 500e registered more than 185,000 units worldwide since its launch and is playing a relevant role in the green transition of cities across the globe, continuing the brand’s electrification journey." As for pricing for Fiat's new flagship city car, let's just say the EV price hike hit the 500 line just as hard as the rest of the industry.
With a starting MSRP of $32,500, you can't say the 500e is anywhere near the bargain its ancestors were. Heck, it even doubles the first North American Fiat 500's MSRP of $16,000 from back in 2011. Is the extra cost worth it to Americans with wildly different habits than Europeans? Only time will tell.
Luckily, the new North American-spec 500e appears to have done just that. With a 42 kilowatt-hour battery and 149 miles of projected battery range, the 500e is perfectly suited for urban runabout duty routinely faced by American drivers in and around big cities. It's the same kind of driving environment the all-electric 500e has already proved to be well-suited to over in Europe. Funky 17-inch, diamond-cut alloy wheels make for a fitting welcoming piece for the 500e's introduction to North America.
With an interior trimmed out far nicer than its city car dimensions would ever lead on, the 500e's standard features and creature comforts should make cruises long or short a downside more comfortable than small economy cars of days gone by. Thanks to vibrant color options like Red by (RED), Tuxedo Black, and Glacier White, the 500e will stick out like a brilliant gemstone mixed in with regular highway traffic.
"We’re thrilled that the Fiat 500e has officially begun its journey to reach customers in North America," said Olivier Francois, long-time FCA executive before the transition to Stellantis ownership, Fiat's current CEO and CMO global for Stellantis. “The 500e registered more than 185,000 units worldwide since its launch and is playing a relevant role in the green transition of cities across the globe, continuing the brand’s electrification journey." As for pricing for Fiat's new flagship city car, let's just say the EV price hike hit the 500 line just as hard as the rest of the industry.
With a starting MSRP of $32,500, you can't say the 500e is anywhere near the bargain its ancestors were. Heck, it even doubles the first North American Fiat 500's MSRP of $16,000 from back in 2011. Is the extra cost worth it to Americans with wildly different habits than Europeans? Only time will tell.
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