Fiat 500e: Stylish Electric Minis Against the XL Stromer

Like the Big Ones: Driving at Level 2

Additionally, the company presents an unusually high level of driver assistance at Level 2 for this class, such as intelligent adaptive cruise control (iACC) and lane-centering, traffic sign recognition, autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, intelligent speed assistant, lane keeping assistant, HD rearview camera, automatic dusk and glare sensors, emergency call & SOS button as well as an electronic parking brake. Moreover, it comes standard with automatic climate control, a key in stone design, 85 kW fast charging, and up to 11 kW Mode 3 cable (AC) for charging at home or at public charging stations. Onboard, a 7“ TFT display and the new 10.25" Uconnect 5 infotainment system with navigation system, DAB radio, Wireless CarPlay / Android Auto, Uconnect Box, a telematics box that enables connected services, and an inductive wireless smartphone charging pad for compatible smartphones ensure contemporary infotainment.

Base Version with 70 kW and 180 km Range

For those who find this too much, Fiat offers three basic configurations: the entry-level ACTION, the mid-tier PASSION, and the top-tier ICON. The ACTION is equipped with a 70 kW electric motor that accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 9.5 seconds and has a top speed limited to 135 km/h. The lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 23.8 kWh should enable a range of over 180 km in the WLTP cycle, and even more in the city. Assuming an average daily use of under 50 km, the vehicle only needs to be charged every few days, according to the manufacturer.

This can be done quite quickly with a 50 kW DC charger, allowing 50 kilometers to be charged in ten minutes. AC charging can go up to 11 kW. The Action already features a fatigue assistant, autonomous emergency braking assistant with cyclist and pedestrian detection as well as a lane-keeping assistant. Additionally, it includes a basic infotainment system with smartphone holder. A 7" color instrument panel always provides information on the status of the vehicle.

The Passion variant complements with an 87 kW electric motor, which accelerates up to 150 km/h, a larger battery that should enable up to 320 km range, and an 85 kW fast charger. In the top model Icon, the drive package is identical, but the equipment is significantly more comprehensive. Of course, there is also an app that allows you to monitor and control the basic functions of the vehicle remotely, such as the charge state or programming of the air conditioning.

What Does This Mean?

Bravo, Fiat! Practicality can be so enjoyable, as demonstrated by the 500e in its various iterations. The FCA Group seems to be pulling itself together - and at least in the Fiat part of the company, it is returning to its core virtues: small, practical, space- and energy-efficient vehicles for everyday use. The addition of the 500e range with the 3+1 is likely to appeal to many users who previously found the pure three-door model too impractical. Honestly, in everyday life, you rarely need more than a small car. If it performs as efficiently as Fiat promises, this would be a perfect counter-model to the electric arms race currently being driven by Tesla, Polestar, Audi, BMW, Daimler, Lucid & Co.

They partly misunderstand the opportunity of the drive transformation and are once again only using the more efficient electric drive to bring much too large, much too heavy, and much too fast vehicles onto the road. As a result, the purchase price of electric cars is rising to dizzying heights, apparently, people want luxury. But top speed and large bodies should become a thing of the past if we are to get a handle on the climate crisis. Electric, practical, good? That's not always the case. Instead, it's important to mix transformation with moderation: in other words, smaller vehicles that can still be nice and fun to drive. Like the Mini SE, the Honda-e, the Mazda MX-30, or now the Fiat 500e. More of this, Fiatisti! Then we can also forgive Chrysler's many big SUVs...