Driving report: Fiat 500 e

A world-famous Italian cult vehicle is preparing to stir up the new electric world. The Fiat 500 now hums through the metropolises with zero emissions, can travel well over 400 kilometers in city traffic with the more powerful of the two batteries on offer and, thanks to its tempting price, plays the role of the seductive gigolo among small cars. Including subsidies from taxpayers' money, it costs less than 20.000 euros at the home charging station. The weaker model (180 kilometers range) is even available for a good 14.000 euros.

New exterior

You can already see the leap into the electric present from the outside of the previously best-selling Fiat, although the cuddly basic shape that has been familiar for 13 years has largely remained unchanged. The front section has been modified exclusively for the E version. Larger oval headlight eyes with a kind of eyeliner that extend into the much more massive bonnet give a slightly dreamy look. The door handles, which are now hidden in a recess, and some details at the rear are also new. Fiat continues to maintain the tradition of the classic, but spices it up with a dash of extravagance with the electric vehicle. The customers who have always loved their 500s should recognize their kissing ball quickly.

But not only under the short hood is something happening with the 500. One example is a novelty that effectively facilitates the tedious crawling into the still narrow rear seats. In return, the sedan got a narrow additional door on the right-hand side, the hinges of which are not mounted on the center column, but on the rear. If both doors on the right are open, a wardrobe feeling is created without annoying posts. Since the front seat back does not have to be folded back when getting in, children can enter their area faster and without gymnastics. For adults, however, the rear remains a taboo zone on longer journeys. The new Fiat solution is always practical for quick loading after shopping in the supermarket. This so-called 3 + 1 variant costs 2.000 euros more than the normal two-door models.

Pushbutton instead of gear stick

New airiness at the front too, as a gear stick is no longer needed. Significantly reduced and reorganized everything that is needed to operate. Four push buttons replace the gear lever. P for parking, N for neutral, R for reversing and D for driving off - that's it. Above this is a narrow strip for air conditioning and heating. The driving mode setting, electric parking brake and audio volume are located in a short console between the seats, where the handbrake lever takes up space on the gasoline engine. The up to 10,25 inch monitor for navigation and more dominates the center of the dashboard. On the other hand, fewer changes in the area directly in front of the driver. A familiar seven-inch central instrument and various switches within easy reach on the two steering wheel spokes.

Pressing the start button wakes up the electric motor, which immediately and of course silently gets to work. Only when you step on the right of the two pedals does the gentle whirring that characterize all Stromers when driving off begins. The so-called “Range” mode, which makes conventional braking largely unnecessary, is particularly tempting in city traffic. As soon as the pressure on the accelerator pedal is reduced, the Fiat decelerates abruptly and comes to a standstill at the traffic lights. The timing has to be practiced. With this “one-pedal drive”, the energy released is used very effectively to charge the battery thanks to recuperation. Those who find this new form of driving too stressful can save themselves in normal mode. Then the Italo-Stromer drives like any other automatic car.

Advantages of the electric drive

A flawless small car that moves calmly and calmly as ever, but with all its spatial modesty does not see comfort as a foreign word. Since the classic customers of a Fiat 500, with the exception of the overpowered Abarth versions, tend to be quieter on the road, switching to the drive, which is clean on site, is easy. Mainly because the 87 kW / 118 PS electric motor always offers reserves when needed when things have to go faster. The Saubermann differs from its old-school sister models simply by its electrotypical jerk-free acceleration. And goes a step further when you step on the accelerator. The leisurely tram becomes an ICE that spurts to 50 km / h in three seconds. Some petrol fans have just put the car into first gear. However, there is a threat of a ticket alarm, as the bright electric singing obscures the true speed. Anyone who has never accelerated electrically will be shocked and then enjoy. The new driving pleasure.

If it weren't for the annoying loading, from whose pitfalls the new Fiat is not immune. He has to park at the household socket for a whole winter night until the battery is almost full again. Around four hours are sufficient for this on an 11 kW wallbox. The 500e can, however, also dock at a quick charging station with 50 kW in order to "fill up" with electricity for another 50 kilometers during a coffee break. Or his pilot treats himself to a real breakfast and is rewarded with over 150 kilometers in half an hour. Since these power boxes are still quite rare, careful planning is advisable for longer journeys. But that's no different with a 100.000 euro electric vehicle.

Technical luxury

With all this, Fiat does not uncouple the switch to the tiny from progress when it comes to modern assistance systems. Depending on the equipment, e.g. distance radar, blind spot warning, automatic emergency braking and lane departure warning are on board or can be ordered as a package for 2.000 euros. The navigation system also offers functions specifically for electric driving, such as an optical circle on the screen that shows the radius of the remaining range. Of course, the newcomer is fully networked, has its own SIM card, offers special apps and a hotspot for fellow travelers.
If you want to use most of the delicacies from the list of surcharges in series, you have to opt for the fully equipped introductory model “La Prima”, which costs almost 35.000 euros. But the sponsorship bonus of 9.000 euros can also be deducted from him. And then the current dwarf king also pays off.