With the FIAT brand’s halo car leaving the North American market in 2020, the Italian brand is refocusing the direction of its iconic city car for the EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) region with the next-generation electrified Fiat 500. With the success of the pre-ordering of the new 500 “la Prima” or “the First” launch edition convertible being sold out in March, the FIAT brand has unveiled its new 500 “la Prima” hatchback.
Together with the front styling from the new 500 convertibles, the new 500 hatchback offers even more aggressive and stylish looks than the current hatchback design it replaces. The new hatchback’s silhouette shows off the new higher profile of the cabin, combining it with the characteristic tilt of the rear styling line. With a new roomier passenger cabin, the new third-generation 500 also features a more pronounced spoiler which is designed to specifically improve aerodynamic efficiency and range. The new tailgate design features a bolder design that looks more sculptural as well as more elegant than the current 500.
The 500 “la Prima” hatchback features a new sophisticated panoramic glass sunroof that opens up the cabin to the sky providing the cabin with more light and offering an open experience from the compact city car. The 500 “la Prima” hatchback features three exclusive liveries inspired by the fundamental elements of nature…
- Ocean Green Pearl (reminiscent of the sea)
- Mineral Grey Metallic (representing the Earth)
- Celestial Blue Tri-Coat (representing the sky)
Equipped with standard with full-LED headlamps, 17-inch diamond-cut aluminum wheels, chrome-plated inserts on the side panels and dashboard, and seat upholstery made of eco-leather, the 500 “la Prima” hatchback sets itself apart from the rest of the 500 hatchback lineup. Level 2 autonomy is also standard on the 500 “la Prima” hatchback.
Powering the 500 “la Prima” hatchback is a series of lithium-ion batteries with a 42 kWh capacity. That can give the car a range of 320 km (or 199 miles) in the WLTP cycle. To optimize its charging time, the next-generation 500 enables DC fast-charge at up to 85 kW to help recharge the battery very quickly. This allows the new 500 to only take 5 minutes to build up enough of an energy reserve to travel 50 kilometers (31 mph), which is more than what is necessary for the daily usage of most of the world’s drivers.
The “Combo 2” smart socket located at the passenger rear side of the car allows the new 500 to use both AC and DC charging. The “smart socket” is also programmable and allows owners to choose when their 500 can be charged. Both of the hatchback and convertible versions of the 500 “la Prima” include the easyWallbox charging system that can be connected to the mains at home. MoparInsiders discussed this new system in-depth recently, with the launch of the new 2020 Jeep® Renegade 4xe. A fast charge can replenish the battery to 80% in just 35 minutes.
ENGIE Eps developed this device for FCA, which will be marketed by Mopar in the main European markets to coincide with the launch of the new 500. It is a simple, accessible solution with no specialist personnel required for installation and can be managed via Bluetooth, letting you charge the 500 immediately at home with up to 2.3 kW of charging power. It also takes into account other domestic appliances being used while you charge your car and even better, the easyWallbox is ready for a power upgrade to 7.4 kW. The model also comes with a “Mode 3” cable, for charging both at home and from the public mains, at up to 11 kW.
The 500 “la Prima” hatchback features the same three-driving modes (Normal, Range, and Sherpa), just like its convertible sibling. The hatchback model also has the same electric motor using an output of 87 kW, providing an automatically limited maximum speed of 150 km/h (93 mph) and acceleration from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 9.0 seconds.
The 500 “la Prima” hatchback also features the latest in FCA’s newest fifth-generation Uconnect infotainment software. The new 500 is equipped with a new 7-inch thin-film transistor (TFT) display and an all-new 10.25-inch touchscreen that offers navigation and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, with wireless capability.
Is this 500 appealing enough to bring the city car back to the North American market? Not yet. However, in an official statement that the “new Fiat 500 has not been confirmed for the U.S.” and that “FCA is evaluating its potential for the North American market”. The bigger and electrified new Fiat 500 might just be something that FCA U.S. might really want to consider with the boost of electric vehicles coming to market in a couple of years in North America. It could complete nicely against vehicles like the BMW i3, Chevrolet Bolt, and the Mini Electric Hardtop which are all on the market now.
The New 500 “la Prima” hatchback is priced at €34,900 (or about $39,455 USD), which includes the easyWallbox charger. Ordering for the new 500 hatchback is now open on the www.fiat.com website, with no deposit payable. The website will also help identify any environmental incentives and provides a purely indicative estimate of their amount, just by using your zip code.
