In the streets of Turin, the city where they were born, Fiat's yoghurt pots blend into the landscape.
Well almost.
Ours arouses an unexpected curiosity because of the triggering, around 20 km / h and for a few seconds, of the melody that the composer Nino Rota created for the film La Dolce Vita directed by Federico Fellini.
An idea of Olivier François, the president of Fiat, in response to the regulations which require electric vehicles to emit a sound in town to warn pedestrians and cyclists.
By converting to electricity, the 500 has revised its classics.
alessandro altavilla
Despite an increase of 60 mm in length and width as well as 30 mm in height, it is still recognizable among a thousand but it has changed cloakroom, abandoning its dapper and colorful side.
Whether it is the launch version "La Prima" limited to 500 units or the production models to come, the range of colors, variations of blue, gray and black, inspires sobriety and elegance.
These colors usually reserved for serious limousines attest to the desire to move upmarket of the 500th.
One way, without a doubt, to swallow the pill of a hefty tariff - € 37,900 before deduction of the bonus of € 7,000 in the case of the limited version based on the cabrio.
As for the 3-door version La Prima, it is billed at € 34,900, without the ecological bonus.
The electric experience begins when the doors are opened by pressing a switch hidden in the pocket cavity, a pebble-shaped remote control in the pocket.
On board, the 500th cut the umbilical cord with its thermal engine sister.
It multiplies the refinements: customizable digital instrumentation and 10.25-inch multimedia screen, level 2 autonomous driving assistance systems, plenty of storage.
The driving position adjusts much better and benefits from an adjustable steering wheel in two planes and a better designed seat and adjustable over a greater amplitude.
At the rear, however, despite an extended wheelbase of 20 mm, roominess is still limited.
The 3-door with a sunroof thus loses 2 to 3 cm of headroom.
alessandro altavilla
For now, the first contact in the streets of Turin takes place at the wheel of the Cabrio 500e, the only electric convertible 4 places on the market.
Riding hair in the wind in a vehicle moving in silence is a particularly pleasant new experience.
What we remember from this first round at the wheel of a development prototype is its liveliness at start-up - 3.1 seconds is enough to reach 50 km / h -, and a beautiful pleasure illustrated by the mode of Driving Range activating regenerative braking (+ 30% compared to Normal mode) and allowing driving without touching the brake pedal.
Sylvain Reisser
This “one pedal” driving delaying the discharge of the battery requires a little getting used to because the braking is really vigorous and is distinguished by variations in assistance.
Sensations only tarnished by insufficient comfort and steering lacking force feedback.
There remains the question of recharging.
With the 85 kW fast charger, Fiat ensures that it can recover 50 km in 5 minutes, just enough time to drink a cappuccino.
But, on a domestic socket, it will take more than 15 hours to recharge the 42 kWh battery.
To limit the stress of critical situations where the battery gauge begins to flash and reduce energy consumption, the 500e offers a third "Sherpa" mode which restricts power and speed to 80 km / h, cuts all systems using energy.
Sylvain Reisser
With a claimed range of 320 km according to the WLTP cycle, the 500th is among the best students in its category.
To lower the price to around 25,000 euros, before deduction of the ecological bonus, a version with lower capacity accumulators should be offered from 2021. It will reduce the range to less than 300 km.
The rates should be disclosed within a few weeks.
In the meantime, the “France Edition” version produced at only 500 units, like “La Prima”, is for its part available from € 29,900 with the 3-door bodywork and € 32,900 in the Cabrio version.
Technical sheet
Motor: Synchronous electric with permanent magnets, 118 hp, 220 Nm
Transmission: Traction, 1 speed gearbox
Dimensions: L. 3.63, l.
1.69, h.
1.52 m
Consumption: 13.8 kWh / 100 km
Range: 320 km
Speed: 150 km / h
Price: 37 900 € (La Prima)