FIAT Looking To Put An Internal Combustion Engine In The 500e?

In a surprising turn of events, Fiat, under the umbrella of Stellantis, is contemplating a significant shift in its iconic all-electric 500e city car. As sales falter and production targets remain elusive, whispers emerge from suppliers and engineers to various media sources suggesting that Stellantis could be looking at fitting the 500e with an internal combustion engine (ICE).

The 500e, once hailed as the beacon of Fiat’s electrification journey, found itself grappling with market realities. Despite initial enthusiasm, Fiat fell short of its production target of 90,000 units in 2023. Now, facing the need for a radical rethink, Fiat is considering injecting a dose of combustion into its electric masterpiece.

At the heart of this transformation lies the Mirafiori Assembly Plant, a symbol of Fiat’s manufacturing prowess. The plant has faced shift cutbacks and a slowdown in production, in both the 500e and the ultra-premium Maserati models the facility produces.

But what engine could power this hybrid incarnation of the beloved 500e? Rumors suggest the adoption of a mild-hybrid configuration, featuring the trusted 1.0-liter, 70 horsepower FireFly gasoline engine, familiar to Fiat enthusiasts through models like the Panda. This blending of old and new reflects Fiat’s commitment to innovation while honoring its heritage.

The urgency for this unconventional shift stems from impending regulatory challenges. With the 500e facing obsolescence due to new safety and cybersecurity regulations, Fiat finds itself at a crossroads. Yet, rather than succumbing to fate, Fiat seeks to rewrite its destiny by reinventing its flagship model.

Suppliers and engineers who are in the know about Fiat’s plans suggest that if the project gets the green light, it could take about two years to modify the 500e for an ICE version, showing how complex the process is going to be.

The news comes just as the 500e has arrived in showrooms in the U.S. and Canada. Here, a majority of people continue to prefer cars with traditional ICE engines, especially with uncertainties about electric car charging stations and government incentives. However, something more potent than the 1.0-liter FireFly would have to be used here. We suggest the 180 horsepower turbocharged 1.3-liter FireFly inline-four-cylinder from the 500X and Jeep® Renegade. That would surely boost sales for Fiat in the North American market.

Stay tuned, as we look forward to seeing where this news will go. Maybe we will start seeing Stellantis follow other automakers, moving away from the all-electric path, and more into hybrid (HEV) and plug-in electric (PHEV) options.

Source: Automotive News Europe / Corriere della Sera