City-sized hatch

The Fiat 500e will become the most expensive Micro car available in Australia when deliveries begin in July

Pricing of the soon-to-belaunched Fiat 500e compact all-electric hatch has been revealed – as $52,500 drive-away – almost four months ahead of the model’s expected on-sale date.

The source of the leak, an industry price guide that also revealed the cost of a Kia EV6 GT ahead of schedule last year, indicated the Fiat 500e La Prima will be offered in a single threedoor hatch variant priced at more than double its petrol-powered sibling – the entry-grade 500 Lounge starts at $23,100 plus on-road costs.

Even if the model is as highly specified as expected, it will still retail for $25,300 more than the flagship 500 Dolcevita.

Goauto understands the four-seat 500e will be offered with a 42kwh battery pack, equivalent to the longrange variant available in Europe, where a more affordable short-range offering with a 28kwh battery pack is also available.

The 500e is powered by an 87kw220nm electric motor driving the front wheels and is said to offer a driving range of 320 kilometres, based on the European WLTP standard, and accelerate from 0-100kmh in 9.5 seconds.

With fast charging capabilities up to 85kw, the Fiat 500e may be charged from zero to 80 percent in 35 minutes.

For comparison, the Nissan Leaf offers a 40kwh battery and 270km range with 50kw fast charging allowing an 80 percent charge time of 60 minutes.

It is expected the 500e range will be bolstered by the addition of a sportier Abarth variant before the end of this year, that variant providing an energetic 114kw-235nm.

The third generation of Fiat’s modern take on the iconic city-sized hatch will be all electric upon launch. It is 60mm longer and 60mm wider than before, with a 20mm longer wheelbase and broader wheel track at either end.

Boot space ranges from 185 to 550 litres.

The new platform has enabled Fiat to offer more technology with its 500e, including ‘level two’ autonomous driving capabilities, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, speed limit recognition, blind-spot monitoring, 360-degree camera technology and driver attention monitoring.

Parent company Stellantis has also endowed the 500e with its fifth-generation Uconnect multimedia array with a significantly larger 10.25-inch touchscreen and wireless connectivity to Apple Carplay and Android Auto.

Last year, Fiat sold 357 examples of the 500 in Australia, placing it third, and last, in its segment – Micro passenger car – behind the Kia Picanto with 5196 unit sales and Mitsubishi Mirage, 862.

Australian features and specifications for the 500e have yet to be confirmed.

It is expected details will be announced next month, ahead of the model’s mid-year launch.