The first Fiat 500e was an adorably half-hearted attempt at producing an electric version of the Italian icon, but a brand new second-generation 500e debuted a few years ago for European markets that brought major improvements. Now, Fiat has finally released U.S. details for the 2024 Fiat 500e, which will go on sale in a few months.
Fiat will be unveiling new models of the 500e in drops, similar to high-end fashion houses dropping collections. The first version of the 2024 Fiat 500e that will be sold in the U.S. is the RED model, created in partnership with Bono’s HIV/AIDS charity. It features the charity’s signature red color on the exterior and interior accents. Fiat will be contributing to the charity with each Fiat 500e RED that is sold, but a spokesporson declined to reveal exactly how much money will be donated per car. As of now the only model available at launch will be this RED edition, and the only color available will be red.
The second-gen 500e has a 42-kWh battery pack that the EPA estimates will provide a 149-mile maximum range, a big jump over the old 500e’s 87-mile range. The new 500e can charge from 0-80% in 35 minutes when using an 86-kW fast charger, making it a much more usable EV for a wider audience than the old car, and on a Level 2 charger it can be fully replenished in just over four hours. Each purchase includes a home Level 2 Wallbox charger system or charge credits through Free2Move Charge.
A single electric motor at the front axle produces 118 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, taking this little looker from 0-60 mph in 8.5 seconds and to a top speed of 94 mph. The new model weighs 2952 pounds, which is not only 28 pounds lighter than the old 500e, but also the lightest curb weight of any EV passenger car in America. Braking is handled by front vented discs and rear drum brakes, and the 500e has one-pedal regenerative braking.
EVs are required by the NHTSA to emit a sound at low speeds to alert pedestrians, and most just play some weird amorphous tones, but the new 500e “sings” to pedestrians with a song titled, “The Sound of 500,” written by Flavio Ibba-Marco Gualdi. It is a melody intended to evoke Italian culture during the first moments of every drive, but I hope the tune doesn’t continuously play, because that would be infuriating.
Thankfully the new 500e retains the same classically chic design ethos as the original 500 and its modern predecessor, with some tasteful updates like handsome new light designs. The interior is much more modern too, with a sleek two-spoke steering wheel, a 10.25-inch touchscreen and a 7-inch digital gauge cluster.
This new 500e has over 50% more range, almost double the battery capacity, and massively improved charge times over the first generation model while still maintaining its charm, and it has only grown by a few inches in each direction. Despite the nominal exterior growth, the new 500e has a total of 30 more cubic feet of interior space and a little more cargo space.
As we recently found out through leaked documents, the 2024 Fiat 500e RED will start at $34,095 including a $1,595 destination charge, making it one of the cheapest EVs on sale. The new 500e will be built in Turin, Italy and should reach dealerships in early 2024.
