Fiat has unveiled pricing and specifications for the U.S. release of its electric 500e, following the initial announcement of its entry into the American market. While the American version may not offer the same value proposition as its European counterpart, it promises impressive styling coupled with advantages in range and weight compared to existing competitors.
In terms of design and performance, the American 500e closely mirrors the European variant, featuring a single front motor generating 118 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, coupled with a 42-kWh battery pack. Although the range falls slightly below the European model, returning 149 miles on a single charge, this discrepancy is attributed to differences in testing procedures, particularly the EPA evaluation. Nevertheless, the Fiat 500e’s range matches that of the base Leaf S and surpasses the current Mini Cooper SE by 35 miles. Additionally, the Fiat boasts a faster 85-kW DC charging capability, and its liquid-cooled batteries contribute to consistent range and charging performance, promoting battery longevity. Fiat claims an 80% charge can be achieved in just 35 minutes.
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The vehicle’s suspension system employs MacPherson struts at the front and a torsion-beam setup at the rear, with braking duties divided between front discs and rear drums. Notably, the 500e weighs in at 2,952 pounds, nearly 200 pounds lighter than the Mini and over 500 pounds less than the Nissan, contributing to its overall efficiency.
For its U.S. debut, Fiat will introduce the 500e RED, a special edition created in collaboration with the RED charity, dedicated to combating AIDS. A portion of the purchase price will support the charity, aligning with RED’s fundraising model. The 500e RED features an exclusive bright red paint scheme with matching interior accents and comes equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels, a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, a 10.25-inch infotainment screen, wireless charging, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, manually adjustable seats, automatic climate control, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection.
Included in the base price of $34,095 (which incorporates a $1,595 destination charge) are credits for a level 2 home charger or public charger. While this positions the 500e RED at a slightly higher price point than the base Mini Cooper SE and the Nissan Leaf S by more than $2,000 and $4,000, respectively, it offers a unique charitable component and a compelling set of features. The Fiat 500e RED is set to go on sale in the first quarter of the upcoming year.
