The Fiat 500 hybrid for 17,000 euros made in Mirafiori is coming. All the features

TURIN - A homecoming, to Turin, to Mirafiori for the hybrid 500. A model that is not the one from Tychy, Poland, but an evolution of the electric version while waiting for the evolution of the species to arrive in 2027, always with dual power supply: fully battery-powered, but those with high performance and lower costs, and hybrid. And for the occasion Stellantis has decided to have the first pre-series just off the assembly line tested on the Mirafiori track in Turin, where the 500 is produced.

The hybrid now made is the electric 500 to which an engine similar to the one mounted on the Pandina produced in Termoli has been adapted. Under the hood beats an all-Italian heart: the FireFly 1.0 engine, the 3-cylinder mild-hybrid, coupled with a 6-speed manual transmission. Thanks to the 12 V electric system, it guarantees greater fuel efficiency and a smoother driving experience. An engine that does not make the little Fiat car's sprints brilliant, but which is useful for putting an accessible car on the market compared to the full electric version. The price starts from 17,000 euros.

This was explained by the CEO of Fiat, Olivier Francois, also recalling the “social function” of the Turin brand and defining the hybrid 500 “as a pragmatic car”. A car that will be officially launched in November, again in Turin during the Film Festival, and the first examples will be delivered in December.

The goal? To deliver the first 5,000 units by the end of the year, anticipating production times by two months. “The goal is to progressively eliminate the redundancy fund at Mirafiori,” says Francois.

The presentation of the new model takes place in Mirafiori on a symbolic day: the month of July has always been that of the 500 family. The 4th of July is linked to the launch of the new 500 in 2007, on the fiftieth anniversary of the original model, under the leadership of Sergio Marchionne. "It is the most awarded car in the history of Fiat. And it is all ours: produced here, in Mirafiori, since day one, and loved all over the world. A little gem. And let me say, a manifesto. Now a new chapter opens: that of the pragmatic 500" said Francois. The most connected and technological 500, equipped with the Uconnect 5 system, the 10.25" high-resolution touch screen will be flanked by a 7" digital display. Full wireless compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

On board there is no shortage of driving assistance systems such as, among others, automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assist and road sign recognition.

Once phase one is over, we move on to phase two. "In 2027, it will be the 70th anniversary of the 500, and we will return to the electric 500, but with the right charge. That is, an electric 500 around 20 thousand euros. A big step forward, which will finally allow us to offer it to everyone". Thus Francois, who is also the marketing manager of Stellantis: "The new batteries made in Stellantis. Another great injection of energy for Mirafiori".

For the future, the group is also looking to phase 3, starting in 2030: "The future generation of the 500, this too is an integral part of the Italian Plan. We are designing it right now, here, around the corner, in our Style Center in Turin. It will be the most beautiful 500 ever".