Local market push will start with two refreshed petrol cars with gen three electric joining later in 2022.

 THE technology that has elevated Fiat’s baby 500 into the electric age is coming to the model when it introduces in New Zealand next year, though not initially.

Ateco Group has announced today its petite urban runabout will at first represent from April in the body styling already well known to Kiwis, with a 1.2-litre petrol engine, in $22,990 Lounge and $25,990 Dolcevita specifications.

However, Sarah Williams, marketing manager for the Auckland-based distributor, has also confirmed the breakthrough electric version (above) that delivers a new platform and fully electric power is also inbound, but later in the year.

At least one electric 500 is already in the country, having arrived in as-new parallel imported form.

Ateco’s petrol engine models both run dualogic transmissions as standard.

Both are highly specified with LED daytime running lights, leather wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and premium seat trims, cloth in Dolcevita though it can be optioned to a Lusso (luxury in Italian) pack which includes leather as well as 16-inch alloys and privacy glass.

The petrols will move to the sidelines when the 500 EV arrives; this model makes history by being the first of the line to be developed purely for electric. On international unveiling a year ago, the EV was described by its maker as being  an “urban Tesla.”

The car entered right hand drive production in March and is already being sold in the United Kingdom. That’s the sourcing point for grey import opportunity.

The fossil-fuelled current generation has continued in production. Fiat argues that as much as electrics are the future, because fossil-fuelled small city cars are among the cleanest on the market already there’s no absolute guarantee all consumers will feel need straight away to switch to a wholly zero-emission line.

Even so, the specs of the electric model are punchy enough for it to surely be a real alternative for many petrol customers and also enable it stand as a full rival for the Mini Electric. 

A design that is fully all-new – the make enforces this is not on a current platform “that we’ve tweaked to accommodate some batteries” – delivers in two performance and range formats for England.

The entry-level 500 EV is fitted with a 23.8kWh battery pack and a 68kW electric motor, which provides a 0–100kmh time of 9.5 seconds and a top speed of 134kmh. The maximum claimed WLTP range of 118 kilometres will climb to 240km under city driving conditions, Fiat claims.

Mid-range models and up are fitted with a 42kWh battery pack and 86kW electric motor. The 0-100km time drops to 9s, top speed raises to 149km, and range climbs to 320km. Recharging also picks up, as it will take direct current fast charging, so will recover an 80 percent charge in half an hour. 

Both battery powertrains offer three driving modes. ‘Normal’ is as being “as close as possible to driving a vehicle with a normal combustion engine”. ‘Range’ engenders higher brake energy recuperation, to the point where it’ll entertain one pedal operability. Then there’s the intriguingly-tagged ‘Sherpa.’ This preserves as much range as possible, so it limits the top speed to 80kmh, reduces throttle response and deactivates the climate control and other comfort features.

The electric model is slightly larger than the current offer – being 60mm wider, 60mm longer and with a 20mm longer wheelbase – yet is still something of a titch.

Fiat hasn’t been silly enough to mess up the look; in silhouette, particularly, there’s little between this one and the current Mark 2. Detailing such as the front bumper and the split headlamps pay homage to the 1957 original.

The EV comes in three body styles: A hatchback, a cabriolet and a three-plus-one configuration that is identical in shape to the hatchback, but features a small half-door behind the driver, opening rearwards. Featuring on the passenger side, it lends easier access to the rear seat and is expected to be popular with young families.

The dominating feature of the centre console is a 10.25-inch infotainment system, which will offer support for a range of smartphone apps allowing pre-drive battery level checks and cabin warming and cooling. Higher-end models have a roaming WiFi hotspot and tracking software to trace the car’s location if it’s stolen.

Fiat also claims the car is capable of “Level 2” semi-autonomous driving, using a front-facing camera system to monitor the road ahead. Adaptive cruise control with automatic braking and accelerating, lane keep assist, speed limit assist, blind spot warning and 360-degree sensors also arrive.

The UK’s line-up embraces the three trim levels, called Action, Passion and Icon. 

The first has 15-inch wheels, keyless go, rear parking sensors and lane-keeping assist, a seven-inch digital instrument cluster and a smartphone mount in place of an infotainment system.

The Passion adds 15-inch two-tone wheels, LED daytime running lights, a choice of two interior upholstery finishes. FCA’s latest seven-inch infotainment system, which offers support for natural language commands, as well as the usual smartphone connectivity. Passion is also the trim level where the 500 Cabriolet becomes available.

The range topper ride on 16-inch alloys, has keyless entry and an improved 10.25-inch U-Connect 5 infotainment system. The Icon’s dashboard can be painted to match the exterior. Alternately, you can take a wood-effect finish or vegan leather trim.