Fiat 500e pricing leaked ahead of launch

PRICING of the soon-to-be-launched Fiat 500e compact all-electric hatch has been revealed – as $52,500 drive-away – almost four months ahead of the model’s expected on-sale date.

 

According to the source of the leak, an industry price guide that also revealed the cost of a Kia EV6 GT ahead of schedule last year, the Fiat 500e La Prima will be offered in a single three-door hatch variant priced at more than double its petrol-powered sibling (the entry-grade 500 Lounge starts at $23,100 plus on-road costs).

 

Even if the model is as highly specified as expected, it will still retail for $25,300 more than the flagship 500 Dolcevita.

 

Locally, GoAuto understands the four-seat 500e will be offered with a 42kWh battery pack, equivalent to the long-range variant available in Europe where a more affordable short-range offering with a 28kWh battery pack is also available.

 

The 500e is powered by an 87kW/220Nm electric motor driving the front wheels and is said to offer a driving range of 320km (13.0kWh/100km) based on the European WLTP standard and is said to accelerate from 0-100km/h in 9.5 seconds.

 

With fast charging capabilities up to 85kW, the Fiat 500e may be charged from zero to 80 per cent in 35 minutes.

 

For comparison, the Nissan Leaf offers a 40kWh battery and 270km range with 50kW fast charging allowing an 80 per cent charge time of 60 minutes.

 

It is expected the 500e range will be bolstered by the addition of a sportier Abarth variant before the end of this year, that variant providing an energetic 114kW/235Nm.

 

The third generation of Fiat’s modern take on the iconic city-sized hatch will be all electric upon launch. It is 60mm longer (to 3632mm) and 60mm wider (to 1683mm without mirrors) than before with a 20mm longer wheelbase and broader wheel track at either end. Boot space ranges from 185 to 550 litres.

 

The new platform has enabled Fiat to offer more technology with its 500e, including Level 2 autonomous driving capabilities, adaptive cruiser control, lane-keep assist, speed limit recognition, blind-spot monitoring, 360-degree camera technology and driver attention monitoring.

 

Parent company Stellantis has also endowed the 500e with its fifth-generation Uconnect multimedia array with a significantly larger 10.25-inch touchscreen and wireless connectivity to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

 

Last year, Fiat sold just 357 examples of the 500 in Australia, placing it third (and last) in its segment (Micro passenger car) behind the Kia Picanto (5196 units) and Mitsubishi Mirage (862).

 

Australian features and specifications for the 500e have yet to be confirmed. It is expected details will be announced next month (March 2023) ahead of the model’s mid-year launch.