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Automakers are effectively versed within the artwork of the sluggish reveal, however house owners of the brand new Fiat 500 Hybrid might want to grasp the artwork of driving slowly.
To make the brand new 500 Hybrid, Fiat re-engineered the 500e’s electric-only platform to simply accept the 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder mild-hybrid drivetrain from the previous-generation 500.
Within the new mannequin the mild-hybrid makes 48kW, down 4kW from the earlier era. It as soon as once more employs a 12V lithium-ion battery to make the automated engine begin/cease system run extra easily, and is paired completely to a six-speed guide transmission.
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Flat out, the five hundred Hybrid hatch can full the 0-100km/h commonplace in 16.2 seconds, however this blows out to 17.3 seconds within the heavier convertible. It’s unclear how lengthy it will take for the five hundred Hybrid to hit its high velocity of 150km/h, whereas gas financial system is anticipated to be round 5.3L/100km.
For context, the 87kW model of the 500e accessible in Australia has 0-100km/h time of 9.0 seconds, whereas the 71kW mannequin offered in Europe wants 9.5s to hit the century.
Though pricing has but to introduced, the five hundred Hybrid needs to be at the least £5000 (A$10,000) cheaper than the 71kW 500e.
The brand new/previous hybrid drivetrain might be accessible in all three of the present era’s physique kinds: three-door hatch, convertible, and Trepiuno, which incorporates a small reverse-hinged rear door on the passenger’s aspect. The latter is barely accessible in left-hand drive.
Visually there’s little to differentiate the five hundred Hybrid from the electrical 500e. There’s a brand new Hybrid badge on the tailgate, and beneath the front-end’s outsized 500 badge is a brand new, small rectangular air consumption to assist cool the tiny engine.
On the within, the variations are equally minimal, with the important thing change being the brand new pod jutting out of the dashboard that homes the guide shifter.
Launched in 2020, the 500e was one of many final merchandise engineered by Fiat Chrysler earlier than it merged with Groupe PSA – guardian of Peugeot, Citroen, DS, Opel and Vauxhall – to kind Stellantis.
Early in its life the 500e was the preferred EV in Italy, and the automobile managed round 65,000 gross sales in Europe in 2023. Gross sales have tapered off badly, although, with solely 25,000 discovering new houses in 2024.
In 2024 the petrol-powered second-generation 500 was withdrawn within the EU as a consequence of new cybersecurity rules. Consequently, Fiat’s share of the town automobile phase, in addition to of the Italian market, has dropped dramatically.
Given the second-generation made its debut in 2007, Fiat determined doing the work essential to shoehorn the three-cylinder gentle hybrid into the third-generation 500 made extra sense than attempting to convey the previous automobile as much as fashionable requirements.
Whereas the second-generation 500 was made in Poland, manufacturing of the five hundred Hybrid will happen alongside the electrical 500e at Fiat’s manufacturing unit in Mirafiori, on the outskirts of Turin.
Manufacturing of the five hundred Hybrid begins this month. Whereas solely Fiat solely expects to make 5000 hybrids this yr, it’s hoping to supply 100,000 per yr.
MORE: Discover the Fiat 500 showroom
