This is a cool car but at that price it will not compete, especially with no 7500$ tax credit (yes, I know it can be bypassed by leasing, but still). I'm waiting for it to drop down to 100/mo lease deals. This would be a great commuter.
Photography Courtesy Fiat
After a four-year hiatus, Fiat is bringing its iconic 500 back to North America–this time, however, as an electric car only.
First, the specs: Noted to be built on a dedicated EV platform, the new 500e is rated at 118 horsepower and 162 lb.-ft. of torque, with a zero-to-60 mph time of 8.5 seconds.
Fiat gives its new EV 500 an estimated range of “up to” 149 miles.
With a curb weight of 2952 pounds, the electric Fiat comes fitted with 205/45R17 Goodyear Efficient Grip Performance tires at all four corners.
The 500e also makes use of MacPherson struts and 11-inch vented discs up front, with a twist-beam axle and 8-inch drums in back.
Fiat says that the car’s 42-KWh battery can be charged in a little over 4 hours using a Level 2 (11 kW) charger. If using an 85-kW charger, the 500e can be charged to 31 miles of range in 5 minutes or 80% capacity in 35 minutes.
Drivers can pick one of three driving modes: Normal, Range and Sherpa.
Normal mimics the experience of an internal-combustion engine, Range activates one-pedal driving and optimizes the car’s regenerative braking system, and Sherpa is all about efficiency:
[Sherpa] maximizes energy efficiency to ensure the driver reaches their planned destination or the nearest charging station. This mode adjusts various parameters, such as limiting the vehicle top speed to 50 mph (80 km/h) and reducing power from 87 kW to 57 kW. Full throttle delivers full power if requested.
MSRP is set at $32,500 (not including a $1595 destination fee), which includes “a home charger box system or charge credits through Free2Move Charge to ease the transition to electrification.”
Expect the new 500e to go on sale starting in early 2024, and the first batch of models arriving at dealerships will be the (500e)RED edition. That's a partnership between Stellantis and (RED), a nonprofit founded by Bono and Bobby Shriver in 2006 to fight AIDS.
This is a cool car but at that price it will not compete, especially with no 7500$ tax credit (yes, I know it can be bypassed by leasing, but still). I'm waiting for it to drop down to 100/mo lease deals. This would be a great commuter.
In reply to RyanGreener (Forum Supporter) :
Do you really think they would get down to $100/mo lease? That's less than half the lease for the electric Mini. I'd definitely consider it at that price.
350z247 said:In reply to RyanGreener (Forum Supporter) :
Do you really think they would get down to $100/mo lease? That's less than half the lease for the electric Mini. I'd definitely consider it at that price.
Well, not that history will repeat itself, but the original Fiat 500e's became that cheap because NO ONE wanted them. These are probably more desirable, but ultimately, they're not competitive. I've been hawkeyeing EV leases for awhile now and I'm pretty sure with the introduction of the Volvo EX30, the existence of the Bolt EUV, and the reintroduction of the new Mini EV, I can't see how anyone would want the 500e on merit.
In reply to RyanGreener (Forum Supporter) :
Whether it's shallow or not, I wouldn't be caught dead with a Bolt in my garage; the curb appeal of the Fiat or even the Mini is a big factor.
350z247 said:In reply to RyanGreener (Forum Supporter) :
Whether it's shallow or not, I wouldn't be caught dead with a Bolt in my garage; the curb appeal of the Fiat or even the Mini is a big factor.
Absolutely, and I think that is the appeal of the Mini/Fiat EVs. I'm sure your average customer will just compare it to the Bolt/Model 3/future EX30 and write it off though.
For a while the 500Es were leasing for $100/mo or less. If they offered such a lease deal again I'd jump on it, if for no other reason than that's less than I pay for fuel.
Not sure where I'd park yet another car, but at that price how could you not do it?
I'm currently in classes for these being as how I'm somehow a Fiat tech even tho they currently only bring in about 4.7 cars a year. It will be neat for like three days until nobody buys them.
RyanGreener (Forum Supporter) said:350z247 said:In reply to RyanGreener (Forum Supporter) :
Whether it's shallow or not, I wouldn't be caught dead with a Bolt in my garage; the curb appeal of the Fiat or even the Mini is a big factor.
Absolutely, and I think that is the appeal of the Mini/Fiat EVs. I'm sure your average customer will just compare it to the Bolt/Model 3/future EX30 and write it off though.
I'm sure your average customer won't really compare much of anything at all, certainly not technical merits, and will basically just buy based on whatever they see and hear the most about... Be it on the road, among their friends, and/or in their social media feed. That, which effectively boils down to the lack of an IUD shaped badge on the frunk, is probably the biggest reason they won't sell well.
It might be successful where the previous entry was not. Electric vehicles when the first 500e weren't NEARLY as prevalent as they are now. The infrastructure wasn't there. It's a different ballgame. I still wouldn't trust an italian electric car- But there's a whole differen't generation of people buying cars now vs then.
Mndsm said:It might be successful where the previous entry was not. Electric vehicles when the first 500e weren't NEARLY as prevalent as they are now. The infrastructure wasn't there. It's a different ballgame. I still wouldn't trust an italian electric car- But there's a whole differen't generation of people buying cars now vs then.
Well, the Fiat 500e's are killing it in Europe (one of the best sellers that isn't a Tesla) and people seem to love it. I just think America's longer travel distances in general limit its usefulness as its a "City" car.
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