Sensational step backwards by FIAT regarding the world of electric cars: the decision is a defeat.
There Fiat 500 it remains one of Fiat’s secret weapons on the market, especially for the future: since 2020 the car has also become electric and is currently available in this configuration, although hybrid or even petrol models are still easily found. However, if the future seems sealed, in reality the history of the model still reserves great surprises, not too positive for those who love ecological options. It has in fact been confirmed that the totally electric Fiat 500 range will soon be just a distant memory. A sensational defeat for those who thought that electric could become the norm at Fiat given that things will soon be different.
The 500, in fact, will soon be available in a mild hybrid version also for a market where currently only electric models are found. Carlos Tavares, CEO of Stellantis, announced that the new Fiat 500e will be equipped with a mild hybrid engine during a meeting with the unions. A decision that has important implications for the Mirafiori factory, which currently faces great challenges and uncertainties. The introduction of the mild hybrid model also on this market could significantly increase production and sales, making the local automotive industry and earnings grow again, after the crisis (also for workers) of the last few months, linked to electric.
The choice to return to a petrol engine for the 500 is indeed supported by sales data which concern all markets. In 2022, the hybrid Fiat 500 sold over 100,000 units in Europe, while the fully electric version only recorded 62,000 units sold; a figure that demonstrates how, despite the growing popularity of electric vehicles, diffusion is still limited, especially in markets such as the Italian one. The introduction of the 500 mild hybrid could therefore bring Mirafiori’s annual production to 175,000 units, adding the two figures.
Fiat 500 with petrol engine: a sensational step backwards
The arrival of the Fiat 500 mild hybrid also on the United States market – as reported Motor1 – represents a sensational innovation for the automotive panorama. As a rule, in fact, it is thermal cars that become electric and not vice versa. Among other things, the new mild hybrid version will also be a cheaper alternative to the fully electric version, whose price for the US market is set at $34,095, a lot for a small car. The expected price for the new version should definitely be more affordable for everyone.
The new Fiat 500 scheduled for 2026 will therefore also be equipped on the US market with a 1.2 liter hybrid engine, similar to the one used by the Jeep Avenger and the new Lancia Ypsilon. An engine which, combined with an electric unit and a 6-speed dual clutch automatic transmission, will guarantee exceptional performance and reduced consumption. The 500e’s platform, which is nevertheless designed to be flexible, will allow the integration of the new engine with relative ease. The arrival of the new 500 mild hybrid is scheduled for 2025 even if Carlos Tavares’ company has not yet provided a detailed calendar. This is the most probable date and there are great expectations for this new version, which promises to dominate the market again.
A change like this will certainly not leave environmentalists and fans of eco-friendly engines indifferent. Surely, this step will represent an improvement for Fiat and for the Italian automotive industry but a sensational KO for the electric on such an important market. In short, everyone wins, except the electric fans.
