The arrival of the was already known Fiat 500 Hybrid in Mirafiori. Just a few days ago the Casa del Lingotto had, in fact, communicated the decision, in an attempt to relaunch the Turin complex. Which for some time now has been in a clear crisis. The poor sales of the electric version have suffered a sharp slowdown, which is why a prolonged stop will continue until the beginning of September. Of course, officially it would be until August, but, with the summer holidays in between, we will have to wait for the autumn season to approach.
The engine will not be the 1.2
After starting off with an excellent attitude, the “environmentally friendly” Cinquina has lost interest in the eyes of customers. The delayed disbursement of incentives in 2024 has weighed, but the difficulties against direct rivals indicate that perhaps there is something else going on. To bring it back into vogue, an attractive formula is also available in our peninsula: in the first 36 months you pay nothing, then you redeem it. If you want. In the meantime, the Italian brand is thinking of supporting it. Because believing that we can put the pieces back together only with the zero emissions variant seems to be a distant mirage. And, as sales data for May 2024 confirm, mild and full hybrids dominate the market.
From a technical point of view, the Fiat 500 Hybrid will constitute a mild on a 500e basis. Now we also know which engine will accompany the zero-emission unit. Unlike the other small ones from Stellantis, the designers will avoid mounting the 1.2, in favor of the 3-cylinder 1.0, combined with manual transmission. To accommodate it, the Fiat 500 Hybrid will undergo some ad hoc measures, relating, for example, to the gear lever, absent, it goes without saying, in the electric version. And the price? Nothing official, but there is talk of one access threshold around 20,000 euros. From the mid-career restyling of the BEV, expected by the end of 2025, it will inherit the aesthetic, technical and technological changes.
On sale until 2029, at least
At the beginning of 2026 the time will strike for the Fiat 500 Hybrid e it will remain until at least 2029. The ecological transition promoted by European (and global) politics has so far partially taken place. And it remains to be seen whether the thermal ban announced for 2035 will be confirmed. In theory yes, however the Old Continent seems to be having second thoughts. In fact, the EU Commission has agreed to hold an update meeting in 2026, in view of possible regulatory changes. Until the launch, the Fiat range will remain without the thermal 500. This is because, starting from July, certain driving assistance systems will be mandatory, which the current model does not have.
“Today, 90% of Mirafiori’s production is destined abroad – declared Olivier François, CEO of the brand -. To increase the number of 500s on Italian roads and respond to Italian customers, we have decided to produce the new 500 Hybrid, which has an Italian name, will be designed and designed in Turin and proudly Made in Mirafiori. It is clear that Mirafiori plays a strategic role for the brand and that we are continuing to invest in Italy, in the 500 and in Mirafiori. In 2023, Fiat produced one in three cars sold globally in Italy. This figure is even higher in Italy, where 70% of Fiats sold were assembled in Italy”.
