IT EVEN HAS A SOUND-MODE!
It happened in a livestream event (yes, the coronavirus…): Fiat introduced the next-generation of its iconic 500, which is 100% electric now. But wait – there already was a 500e, wasn’t there? Yes, but it was just part of the 500 family. This new all-electric 500 will simply become the standard 500 moving forward.
The new 500 looks largely the same as the previous version, with styling inspired by the original Fiat 500 of 1957. Under the skin, however, the 500 gets a 42-kilowatt-hour battery pack, allowing for 320 km of range on the European WLTP testing cycle, according to Fiat.
An 85-kilowatt DC fast charger can charge the new model’s battery pack to 80% in 35 minutes. With an Easy Wallbox home charging station, capable of charging at up to 7.4 kW, a full recharge will take about six hours, Fiat said.
A 116-horsepower electric motor drives the front wheels. The electric 500 will do 0 to 100 km/h in 9.0 seconds, while the top speed is electronically limited to 150 km/h.
Fun: The video revealed a new sound-mode when the 500 played a sample of strings as it motored along. Very cool. Fiat mentioned these sounds will be customizable, kind of like how we all used to download new ringtones for our flip phones 15 years ago.
