FIAT’s newest providing, the 600e, pays homage to the 600 from the 1950, providing family-friendly practicality whereas retaining the bubble-like look of its stablemate 500. It arrives this week because the Italian automotive firm exhibits its city-sized “SUV”, the Topolino.
The 600e is positioned as a metropolis and outside automotive, with guard flares and what seems be first rate floor clearance, providing as much as 600km of vary for metropolis use (WLTP city cycle) or 400km of combined driving (WLTP mixed cycle).
By way of dimension, the 600e measures up at 4.17 metres in size in opposition to the 500e’s 3.63 metres, however visually it retains an identical form and features, successfully inflated to small SUV dimensions.
5 seats and 360 litres of boot house makes the 600e a small, but sensible runabout, with Fiat citing the unique 600 mannequin’s repute as a compact household automotive.
Inside, the 600e incorporates a cleanly designed inside with 10.25-inch infotainment display screen and seven.0-inch digital show, in addition to a selection of as much as eight totally different colors for ambient gentle and radio atmosphere; 64 combos in whole.
An entry-level ‘RED’ mannequin, geared toward younger clients wanting an moral and eco-friendly choice, options distinctive logos and recycled material seats – primarily based across the organisation that was based in 2006 to battle AIDS.
Fiat’s newest security tech will characteristic within the 600e, providing Stage 2 assisted driving with options like adaptive cruise, clever pace help, blind-spot detection, and autonomous emergency braking (AEB).
A 114kW motor, powered by 54kWh lithium-ion battery, propels the 600e to triple digits in 9 seconds, and a 100kW quick charging system permits 80 per cent cost in half an hour.
Regardless of the ‘e’ within the mannequin identify, Fiat has confirmed it’s engaged on a hybrid choice that can be supplied from mid-next 12 months.
City child mouse
The Italian marque additionally revealed its dinky Topolino (Italian for ‘child mouse’), a short-range city EV measuring in at simply 2.53 metres in size – nearer in dimension and stature to that of the unique Fiat 500 mannequin.
Each open and closed physique choices can be out there – assume bubble-like Meyers Manx with a roof – and it’ll supply house for 2 occupants plus 63 litres of baggage.
A small 5.4kWh battery will take 4 hours to totally cost and, with a variety of simply 75km, will probably be very a lot an extra-urban or small city coffee-getter.
The Gen-Z positioned Topilino, akin to a four-wheeled moped, is speed-limited to simply 45km/h and, curiously, Fiat says it may be pushed from the age of 14 and up – presumably in choose markets in Europe.
Fiat primarily based the Topolino on fellow Stellantis mannequin, the Citreon Ami One, however gave it a uniquely seaside Italian twist with optionally available extras like a bathe, excellent for eager younger beachgoers.
Fiat says the Topolino may even be supplied for “an reasonably priced month-to-month sum of money”, likening the determine to what would normally be spent on subscription paper-per-view TV or month-to-month public transport prices.
The primary Fiat 600e items are anticipated to reach in Italy by September this 12 months and, though not confirmed but, we count on to see it Down Beneath sooner or later.
We’re speculating the pint-sized Topolino won’t make its method to our shores – nevertheless primarily based on the cute-factor it affords alone, we hope we’re unsuitable.