The Fiat 500 Vintage '57 that honours the Made in Italy icon of 1957 is on show in Geneva with its contemporary interpretation of certain stylistic features that made it famous in the 60's and 70's. Starting with the colour of the pastel blue body that combines perfectly with the white of the roof, spoiler, antenna, mirror covers, as well as the 16" white chrome vintage alloy rims that recall the rims used on the historical 500.

Just like the exterior, also the interior of the Fiat 500 Vintage '57 is the result of a modern reinterpretation of some particular aspects of the historical 500 as demonstrated by the use of white and the elegant two-tone (vintage effect) upholstery in tobacco Frau leather with 'half-moon' inserts (stylistic feature of the model) in ivory leather with tobacco coloured "500" embroidery. Its vintage look is also underlined by the historical Fiat logos located both outside as well as on the steering wheel.

Of course, beyond its retro look, the Fiat 500 Vintage '57 offers the best technology, safety and onboard comfort available today. This is demonstrated by the manual climate control system, Blue&Me system, CD+MP3 radio, ABS with EBD, 7 airbags, Start&Stop system, ESP complete with ASR/MSR, HBA and Hill Holder. Depending on the markets, there will be differences in equipment, both standard and optional, in order to satisfy the specific requirements of the individual countries.

Therefore with the Vintage '57 special series, the 500 model continues to be in the limelight, confirming its position as an icon of Made in Italy, both yesterday and today, able to satisfy everyone who wants to have fun and go everywhere behind the wheel of car rich in history, emotion and charm.

What is more, some of the objects that derive from the creativity of Italian industry after the war, such as the 500 or the Vespa, cannot be judged merely by their appearance, nor do they only represent a good engineering achievement in which the form serves a function. They are instead powerful alchemies, with a revolutionary design and concept that redefine common points of reference and comparison in order to take root forever in our collective memory. When this occurs, essential masterpieces are created in the history of industry. The Fiat 500 is one of them, a story experienced twice.

The first is the story of a large number of car owners, lovers and enthusiasts who promoted the image of a good, reliable and economic car but, even more, who elevated it to be an expression of part of their own lives, something that evokes a cheerful and carefree attitude. The 500 is linked with memories, good friends, your first love, it evokes images of a positive past that in some way many people would like to rediscover. In fact, the arrival of the 500 by Dante Giacosa, on 4 July 1957, closed a cycle of rebirth after the devastation of the war, ending a period of radical renovation of the Fiat range, thereby starting a cycle of successes over the next decade, which was a period that can be considered as one of the most dazzling in the hundred year history of the brand.

The parallel with the new 500 is evident, which in 2007, thanks to its stylistic and technological strengths, represented the start of a new era for the Fiat brand. It is from here that the story restarts. It would be too simplistic to "confine" the phenomena of the new 500 within the limits of a simple, nostalgic exercise of re-interpretation. Fiat's goal was not to design a car that "looks like" a 500, but that "is" again the 500. In fact, the 2007 model reflects the original concept of the form and function to evoke, as is correct in this type of case, all those emotions, memories, values that make all those "iconic" objects eternal, raising them up beyond the restricting dimension of a category. A closer look must above all point out the innovations that this model has introduced for the first time at this product level: the first car in its segment that obtained 5 EuroNCAP stars, the first to propose such a large range of vehicles, the first to offer all Euro 5 engines, the first to launch the revolutionary two-cylinder 0.9 Twin Air.

Produced since 2007 in Poland and since 2010 also in Toluca (Mexico), the Fiat 500 is sold in more than 100 countries world-wide and even marked the return of the Fiat brand in the United States. A global model that, as of today, has surpassed the level of 1.5 million registrations. The secrets of its global success certainly includes Fiat's ability to evolve with new interpretations - from the 500 Abarth (2008) to the 500 GQ (2013) up to the latest version, the 500 "Ron Arad Edition", the new limited version that celebrates the union between the Fiat model and one of the most important international designers - but also its ability to explore new territory, creating a likeable and accessible family of cars that guarantee a maximum degree of choice and use: the result has been the 500L (2012), the 500L Trekking, the 500L Living (2013) and the brand new 500X (2014).

Check out this crazy mid-engine rear-wheel-drive wide body 350bhp Cinquecento

The Fiat 500 is one of the most customisable cars you can buy. If you’ve got a few hours to kill, just go on Fiat’s online configurator and have a look for yourself. There’s an infinitum of options to allow the cutesy city car to blend seamlessly with your wardrobe/favourite lifestyle activity/horoscope.

But one thing the Argos catalogue-sized option list won’t allow you to do is add a carbonfibre widebody kit, rear-wheel-drive layout and drop an Alfa 4C’s engine behind the front seats.

For that, you need to go to Gran Torino Engineering. They’ve created the beast in the video above, the Giannini 350 GP Anniversario, the tuning firm’s mad mid-engine rear-drive widebody 350bhp Cinquecento built to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the famous historic Italian tuner Giannini.

Starting with a normal Abarth 500, Gran Torino strips pretty much everything out of it, then stuffs it full of goodies until it looks like the four-wheeled offspring of Mr Creosote.

It’s not just a 500 in a fat suit though, as one of the most drastic changes is the engine. The donor 500 Abarth’s 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder was thrown in the bin and replaced by the 1.7-litre turbo-four from Alfa’s two-seat, carbon-tubbed 4C sports car.

Now residing behind the front seats and good for 350bhp (up from its 237bhp as standard), its power is fed to the rear wheels via a manual gearbox. But, if you want it, you can also spec the same six-speed paddleshifter from the Alfa.

It doesn’t stop there. The 350 GP has also been blessed with drilled and slotted Brembo brakes with six-piston calipers up front and four-piston calipers at rear. Then there’s the visible in-board Ohlins shocks, peeping out of holes in the car’s hood and rear hatch.

The massively bloated widebody kit is made of carbon and features new air intakes, hood, modified grille with fog lights, rally-style roof-mounted wing, and all finished with a set of 19-inch forged alloy wheels.

Apparently, 100 units of the 350 GP are set for production priced from €150,000. So if you want one of the maddest 500s around, you now know where to go. If you’re not tempted, just embrace the madness in the video above…

The Fiat 500X was introduced nearly four years ago and now we’re getting a purported glimpse of the facelifted variant.

Posted by Autoblog.it, the teaser image reveals the updated model will have a modestly revised front fascia and new lighting units. The headlights are particularly eye-catching as they feature integrated LED lights which sort of resemble eye lids. Further below, there are restyled fog lights and circular LED lights that surround the turn signals.

The teaser image isn’t terribly revealing, but previous spy photos have shown the model will have new bumpers and more stylish taillights. The changes are relatively minor and they echo the updates that were applied to the 2019 Jeep Renegade.

Speaking of the Renegade, engine options will likely be shared between the two models. As a result, the 500X could be offered with a turbocharged 1.0-liter three-cylinder that produces 120 PS (88 kW / 118 hp) and 190 Nm (140 lb-ft) of torque. There could also be a new a turbocharged 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine that has outputs of 150 PS (110 kW / 148 hp) and 180 PS (132 kW / 177 hp), both with 270 Nm (199 lb-ft) of torque.

Interior changes are more mysterious, but Autoblog.it says the 500X will come with a new steering wheel and an updated infotainment system. There could also be additional updates including revised trim and upholstery combinations, but nothing is official as of yet.

The 2019 Fiat 500X will reportedly be unveiled this fall. There’s no word on when exactly as Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has reportedly decided to skip this year’s Paris Motor Show.

It's time to bid arrivederci to the Fiat 500 hatchback and convertible. The car that relaunched the Fiat brand in the US almost a decade ago will be discontinued for the 2020 model year. In addition to the standard Fiat 500, the electric 500e and higher-performance 500 Abarth models will also get the axe. Autoblog first reported the news earlier this week, and a Fiat spokesperson later confirmed the 500's death via email.

"Fiat will discontinue production of the current-generation Fiat 500 and 500e in North America," a company spokesperson told Roadshow on Monday. "Current inventory of the 2019 Fiat 500 and 500e will last into 2020."

In the US, Fiat's lineup will be limited to the 500X compact crossover and 500L tall hatchback. The Fiat 124 Spider will carry on, as well, itself a rebadged version of the Mazda MX-5 Miata roadster.

Following its launch in 2011, the Fiat 500 hit a sales peak of 46,999 units in the US in 2012. Sales slowly declined in subsequent years, culminating in just 5,370 500s sold in 2019. Through June of this year, Fiat has sold just 1,692 500s in the US.

Fiat isn't the only small-car manufacturer struggling to find a place in the States. Many companies are killing off their smallest offerings as more customers move up to crossovers and SUVs. Smart, in fact, is pulling out of the US entirely.

We've always had a soft spot for the Fiat 500 models -- especially that pocket-rocket Abarth -- so we're a little sad to see 'em go. If you've been debating picking one up, better act fast.

The 500X conquered the market with its Urban and Cross versions, which reflect its dual soul. The urban version is more metropolitan, technological and connected, as expressed perfectly by the recent S-Design, Mirror and 120° special series, while the more crossover version enjoys pleasant adventures outside the city. Today the 500X changes pace and accelerates onto a different playing field, that of sportsmanship, presenting itself as an alternative to compact C-segment cars with a sporty look. This is a growing market segment that is worth more than 500,000 units per year in Europe. And in perfect 500 style, this Fiat brand proposal is a new more attacking version of the 500X, beautiful to look at and thrilling to drive. To achieve this goal, Fiat engineers carried out the equivalent of what a sports "athletic trainer" would have done, following a special "training programme" to increase the sporting prowess of the 500X. So, further significant and carefully focused tuning interventions on driving dynamics, steering precision and suspension have been carried out, making driving even more emotional. Simultaneously, various modifications towards more specifically sporting design elements, plus the new exclusive Red Seduction livery, have made the Fiat 500X Sport perfect for a young, dynamic customer attracted by a sporty style with a strong personality.

Driving dynamics, precision and control create new levels of performance and safety
The new Fiat 500X Sport presents several important technical innovations intended to boost dynamism, driving precision and control. In particular, the new top-of-the-range version features an exclusive sports-style suspension with a 13 mm reduction in height from the ground compared to the Urban and Cross versions, and the option - on request - of new 225/40 tyres with sports-level performance and 19" alloy wheels with a special design. This all results in a more aggressive car, with better ground adherence and guaranteed safety and dynamism... a bit like what one would expect from a powerful centre-forward who is also highly agile in the penalty area

Power must provide precision and perfect balance, and in the automotive field this means greater precision and driving comfort. This is why we have acted even more radically with the most powerful engine in the range: a high performing 1.3 FireFly Turbo 150 HP, combined with a DCT automatic transmission. For example, the steering system calibration has been adjusted to return a more precise and reactive feedback to the driver. As well as this, specific adjustments of the shock absorbers and the front and rear suspensions - using FSD (Frequency Selective Damping) technology - mean that the 150 HP Sport 500X guarantees greater road holding, even at high speeds, as well as extraordinary manoeuvrability and total safety... all without compromising comfort. Thanks to all these technical features and its 19" sports tires, the gritty 500X Sport 1.3 FireFly 150 HP DCT generates an 8% increase in lateral acceleration - compared to the 500X Cross with equal engine and 18" tires - and this translates into a significant improvement in road holding and a substantial increase in active safety. The new suspension tuning greatly enhances responsiveness at curve entry, reducing understeer by 26%, and oversteer, in extreme conditions, by 17%. In short, so armed, the new Fiat 500X Sport fears no comparisons in its segment, and generates dynamic emotion in driving.

The New 500 has filled all of Fiat with its positivity, bringing with it an energy and creativity unparalleled since 1957 and 2007. This has enabled Fiat designers and engineers to look to the future without letting a single opportunity pass them by, at the same time maintaining continuity with the current success of the 500.

From that point, it came naturally to design a car with more 'bodies', such as the cabrio and hatchback versions, but that wasn't all. To accompany the evolution of the 500 customer base, we needed to go further, to respond to the developments in the requirements of customers who have grown and whose habits have changed. The young person who darted onto the city streets aboard their 500 after a day's work, is now a 'working mom or dad', struggling to get their one or more children to school in the morning before heading to work, then to their dance class or foreign language lessons in the afternoon, all the while keeping their own personal commitments going. That customer has therefore become a family that needs the interiors to be more accessible, but still 'cool' as only the 500 can be by nature. That's where the New 500 3+1 comes in. All new, all electric and with one extra door. But still a 500.

The Centro Stile designers have been working on a smart solution with identical dimensions to the cabrio and hatchback versions, but with a small third door on the passenger side. Just like the first 500 in 1957, which featured doors hinged to the rear: a return to the model's roots in a fruitful dialog between past and future. The result is a new body, to add to the hatchback and cabrio, with unchanged dimensions and not a single centimeter added to the footprint.

The third 'small door' opens in the opposite direction, and given the lack of a center panel in the door itself, means you can jump in more comfortably, load and unload large items more easily and put your child on the back seat or booster seat in a quicker and more straightforward way. Once you've closed the small door, there's no difference from any other 500: the same style, the same size. All this with a weight increase of only 30 kg, with no effect on the car's handling or fuel consumption.

In terms of safety, it's worth noting that the 'small third door' can only be opened with the front door already open, to ensure the rear passengers can't open it by accident.

With the "3+1", the 500 aims to remain alongside customers who have changed their habits and requirements, but not their taste. For customers who do not want to relinquish the beauty and allure the 500 brings with it, the New Fiat 500 3+1 is the answer. Thanks to the smart solution of the third door, everyone can take all their passions with them without compromising on style, while benefiting from the functionality the New 500 3+1 can offer.

Fiat has taken the wraps off the production version of the 500 Electric this year, and it looks exactly what the brand could need to kick start its U.S. presence amid an aging lineup. And it's not just a hatchback bodystyle but a total of three variants, with the latest version being an innovative 3+1 hatch. But whether we'll get any of these stateside remains to be seen.

The third version, unveiled after the two-door hatch and cabriolet, has two doors on its starboard side, allowing easier ingress and egress for rear seat passengers.

For a very small car, the new 500 actually offers quite a bit of range. There are two battery options on the menu, and the top version with 42 kWh on tap has a range of 199 miles in the slightly optimistic WLTP cycle, as well as a top speed of 93 mph. The base version still has 23.8 kWh on tap, giving it a range of 112 miles in the WLTP cycle and a top speed of 84 mph. But those 112 miles can transform to something closer to 150 miles in purely city driving, so even the base model won't be darting between charging stations. Confined to city streets, the longer-range version should even be able to stretch its range to 285 miles.

The longer-range 500 is powered by an 87-kW electric motor, which gives it 118 hp and a leisurely sprint time of 9.0 seconds from standstill to 62 mph, while the 70-kW motor in the 23.8-kWh battery version with 93 hp still clocks in under 10 seconds. Both are capable of DC fast charging, with the 42-kWh version being able to juice up to 80% capacity in 35 minutes thanks to 85-kW charging.

The 500 will offer three driving modes: Normal, Range and Sherpa.

"When the remaining range is low, 'Sherpa' mode can be engaged to optimize the available resources to ensure the destination is reached," the automaker says. "'Sherpa' driving mode works on several components to ensure either the destination set on the navigation system or the nearest charging station is reached whilst the New 500 still has enough charge."

Does the 500 Electric of these sound like your (very small) cup of espresso?

There's more, including Level 2 autonomous driving, traffic sign recognition, autonomous emergency braking and a driver attention monitoring system. That's right: Level 2 autonomy will be offer in the 500, which Fiat says will be the first car in its segment to offer this level of semi-autonomous driving. ADAS systems will include automatic emergency braking, which include pedestrian and cyclist detection, and lane keeping assist. And, of course, there'll be nothing short of a 10.25-inch infotainment screen.

This already sounds like a small Tesla, doesn't it? (Tesla is said to be working on a sub-Model 3 offering, by the way).


A Level 2 semi-autonomous driver assist system will be one of the pieces of tech on the menu. FIATThe 500 is going on sale now in the number of European markets, and will start at around $30,000, before the application of various national incentives, which will shave thousands more off its price. Were it to be offered here, it could well start around $23,000 after the application of a federal EV credit, becoming one of the least expensive EVs on the market.

Of course, Fiat's reluctance to offer it here could be tied to its "European city" range, despite the fact that the U.S. market certainly has a car like that in the form of the Mini SE. But there are other business considerations, of course, including the overall sales volume of sub-compact hatchbacks in the U.S., which now barely exist as a segment. It's certainly telling that VW did not make the decision to launch the ID.3 hatch stateside, only making plans to allow the ID.4 pocket SUV into the country.

Even if Fiat does not eventually offer the 500 Electric here, it cannot keep the rest its model range out of the U.S. for much longer, because this model range is already small and fairly dated.

Revealed in 2014 in Paris, the Italian sibling of the Renegade will set you back $24,840 excluding freight. In other words, the 500X is $300 more expensive than before and $490 more than the Jeep.
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This pricing strategy is – dare I say it – unfortunate if you remember how bad Fiat is doing in the United States. The Italian automaker sold in the ballpark of 9,200 cars and SUVs in this part of the world in 2019, down from 15,521 units in 2018. And of those, the 500X moved 5,223 examples.

The question is, how did Fiat improve the all-wheel-drive crossover for the 2021 model year? First things first, the entry-level Pop trim and the mid-range Trekking “receive new dashboard inserts” in the guise of matte blue and matte grey. “New seat fabric” is also worthy of note, but not good enough to improve the sales figures of the 500X. Higher up in the lineup, the Sport trim level receives a $700 option that bundles $3,400 of content.

In no particular order, the list of goodies includes Beats premium audio, 19-inch wheels, a dual-pane power sunroof, LED exterior lighting, front and rear park assist, satellite navigation, heated front seats, and a windshield deicer. The Pop and Trekking are also available with value-oriented packages that add $3,300 and $1,300 worth of content for $700 and $300, respectively.

“Designed and built in Italy, our fun-to-drive Fiat 500X is the only vehicle in its class to deliver a standard turbocharged engine, all-wheel drive, and 30 miles per gallon,” said head honcho Matt Davis. He does have a point about the powerplant, though, which is a very modern engine in comparison to the 2.4-liter Tigershark MultiAir four-pot motor in the Jeep Renegade.

Rated at 177 horsepower and 210 pound-feet (285 Nm) of torque, this lump is teamed with a nine-speed automatic transmission that features a wide gear ratio spread. The Dynamic Selector Traction Control System isn’t on par with the off-road capability of the Renegade Trailhawk, but it’s good enough to make the driver feel confident in the 500X in snowy weather.

Buried in the press release for the 2021 Fiat 500X, the Italian automaker has also confirmed the death of the 124 Spider and 500L in the United States. Whereas the open-top sports car with bits and bobs from the Mazda MX-5 won’t be replaced, the 500L mini MPV will. According to chief executive officer Olivier François, “a blend of the X and L is the way ahead.”

Almost 300 kilograms (660 pounds) heavier than its combustion-engined sibling, the 500e doesn’t show its weight in the dreaded moose test. At speeds of up to 75 kilometers per hour (47 miles per hour), the Italian EV feels progressive, giving the driver a relatively good feeling of control.

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Our friends at km77.com further highlight smooth transitions, moderate body roll, good suspension tuning, and the well-calibrated electronic stability control system. The feeling of control and safety remains at higher speed, but the low-resistance tires unfortunately understeer. This particular 500e is equipped with Bridgestone EcoContact 6 rubber, which sacrifices grip for the sake of the environment by improving the car’s fuel economy.

In the slalom, the pint-sized urban dweller feels nimble and the ESC is hardly perceptible according to the Spanish motoring publication. The only thing km77.com doesn’t like about the 500e is the steering, which doesn’t offer too much in the way of feedback about what the tires are doing.

As opposed to hydraulic steering, electric steering feels weird because of the column- or rack-mounted motor that numbs the road forces transmitted by the front wheels. Porsche is the exception with the 991 and 992 generations of the 911 because the German automaker has a knack for driver's cars.

Introduced with great pomp and circumstance last year, the 500e starts from €19,930 ($23,995) back home in Bella Italia and £22,995 ($31,770) in the United Kingdom. The entry-level Action trim level comes with a 23.8-kWh battery and a puny range in the WLTP cycle. The mid-range Passion is arguably the best pick in the lineup because it offers 42 kWh and 320 kilometers (199 miles) of driving range plus 85-kW fast charging.

The first-ever FCA electric vehicle developed from the ground up, the 500e is off to a slow start in terms of sales. Last year, the Italian manufacturer sold approximately 6,350 units instead of 15,000 as Fiat projected initially. Given these worrying numbers, the 500e is expected to receive a van option with no rear seats and a cargo divider as a means to hopefully boost sales.

The Fiat 500X Yachting adds a new body to the 500X line-up: on top of the Cross and Sport trims, the 500X now becomes "open-air" for the first time. In a few seconds and with a single push of a button, the electric soft top of the new Yachting special series opens the 500X to the heavens. The new Collectors' Edition in its launch version with a special livery dedicated to the "Yacht Club Capri" comes in the exclusive "Blu Venezia", with a blue soft top, while the mirror caps are made of brushed chrome, as are the door handles. A blue and ivory line of beauty also enhances the car's profile: it runs at the level of the waistline and is reminiscent of the line of beauty on boats. Also brand-new and exclusive are the 18" lightweight alloy wheels with sea blue design cues.

The sailing-inspired elegance can also be seen in the interior, with its white soft-touch seats with 500 in edged blue embroidery, aluminum door sill plates with "Yachting" logo and mahogany dashboard, another powerful reference to the design cues typical of boats of the dolce vita years. Wood - the most natural of the elements - is paired with advanced technology for an absolutely outstanding result, as in the world of sailing. The key cover also comes with a new look, reminiscent of the body colors.

Abarth is launching its new special series, the F595, derived from the racetracks of Europe. With 165hp, its 1.4-litre engine forms the basis for the propulsion unit in the Tatuus single-seaters used in the Italian and German Formula 4 championships. The F595 celebrates this long-running partnership and acts as a tribute to the 50th anniversary of the Formula Italia single seater by Carlo Abarth.

The new F595 is a concentration of racing design cues, and was created to provide both maximum performance and fun but without sacrificing infotainment technologies.

Engine derived from Formula 4 technology

Outstanding performance and response are the main features of the 165hp 1.4-litre Euro 6D-Final-compliant T-jet engine, fitted with the supercharged Garrett turbo with a geometric compression ratio of 9:1, delivering 230 Nm of torque from just 2,250 rpm. Top speed is achieved at 135mph, whilst 50 to 70mph pick up is achieved in 7.8 seconds (in fifth gear).

The engine is paired with manual transmission, but can be fitted with the optional 5-speed automated manual transmission with steering wheel shift paddles. The 0 to 62 mph sprint takes 7.3 seconds with the manual transmission and 7.4 seconds with the sequential automatic variant.

The bold Abarth F595 offers a Record Monza Sovrapposto active exhaust, now evolved into a new configuration with four pipes - two on each side and stacked vertically. Drivers can control the active exhaust valve by a simple press of the Scorpion button on the dash - this increases the sound of the F595 as required.

Design

Available in hatchback and convertible versions, the new Abarth F595 features Rally Blue design cues as highlighted in the rearview mirror caps and the front and rear bumpers. The sporty look is further enhanced by the Sport 17-inch Formula alloy wheels, the F595 identification badge on the rear and fog lamps.

To the interior, a leather steering wheel and leather Abarth sports seats complement black design cues such as the new infotainment display frame and the new matt black dashboard. The new Rally Blue design cues will be available in combination with the following colours: Race White, Campovolo Grey, Track Grey, Scorpion Black, Record Grey and Tarmac Grey.

Maximum driving pleasure, safety and connectivity

On the new F595, Koni rear shock absorbers with Frequency Selective Damping (FSD) technology is standard in order to improve performance, ensure perfect road holding and simultaneously improve handling and stability.

Alongside activating the active exhaust valve, the Scorpion mode selector also acts on peak torque delivery by re-calibrating the power steering and engine response to the accelerator pedal, making them more responsive.

The Abarth-designed braking system provides an optimal response and improved safety, consisting of 284-mm front and 240-mm rear ventilating discs.

Last but not least, the F595 is equipped with the 7-inch HD Uconnect™ system with DAB radio, built-in Apple CarPlay and Android Auto™ compatibility as standard.

F4 in Italy and Germany: Abarth on track to develop the drivers of the future

The Italian F4 Championship Powered by Abarth, is now in its eighth season, whilst Germany's ADAC F4 series is currently in its seventh championship. In 2014, Formula 4 selected Abarth as the technical partner to supply its engines. Courtesy of its great weight-to-power ratio, the powerful and reliable 1.4-litre, 160-hp Abarth Turbo engine fitted to the Tatuus single-seaters guarantees high performance (a maximum speed of 150mph; 0-62mph acceleration in around 5 seconds). Its renowned reliability also means the cost of a season in terms of the teams and drivers can be kept under control. It therefore meets the FIA requirement of training for the Formula class drivers of the future, in line with the FIA's and Abarth's values of developing young talents. Since 2014, more than 350 drivers have taken to the track in an F4 single seater powered by Abarth.

50 years of Formula Italia

In 1971 the Italian Automotive Sports Commission (CSAI) collaborated with Fiat on the establishment of a new championship reserved for young Italian drivers, aimed at democratising motorsport by proposing a single-seater identical for all and at a low cost. In August that year, the Abarth brand - merged into Fiat in the meantime - therefore built the first prototype designed by Mario Colucci under the supervision of Carlo Abarth and named it the Abarth SE025. Fitted with the 4-cylinder, 1.6-litre Fiat engine with a twin overhead camshaft, the same as in the Fiat 124 Sport, the single-seater had a highly durable steel tube frame, complete with built-in roll bar. All the components were chosen by Carlo Abarth and were taken from mass-production Fiat, Lancia and Abarth cars. One of the earliest testers worthy of mention was the renowned Arturo Merzario. Formula Italia was an immediate success: demand was so great that the first deliveries were only made in mid-May 1972. It made its racing debut on 29th June 1972, on the Monza circuit, where Paolo Bozzetto came in victorious. Until 1979, many young drivers took to the track and some of them made it to the Formula 1 World Championship, including Bruno Giacomelli, Riccardo Patrese, Siegfried Stohr and Piercarlo Ghinzani.

The New York Auto Show was pretty predictable for the most part; lots of model refreshes, trim lines and new engines. The stuff you would expect from a lot of auto shows. But there was one truly bizarre, inexplicable appearance: the Fiat 500 Electric.

For reasons unknown to us, or even to a Stellantis PR representative, the Fiat booth was not adorned with just one lonely 500X — which is currently the brand's entire U.S. lineup — but there was also a pomodoro (tomato) red 500 Electric convertible and a pale pink metallic 500 Electric hatchback. Two cars that Stellantis has, since the model's introduction a couple of years ago, said will not be coming to the United States. They weren't roped off or on any fancy display. They just sat on the carpet like any other regular Stellantis product. And of course, we had to check them out.

And ... they're pretty great! We think Fiat should sell the 500 Electrics here. Here's why:

First off, they're wonderful designs. They're still just as cute and retro as the 500's gas-powered (and electric) predecessor, but with far more attention to detail. The headlights intersect with the hood, and the turn signals pop out from the belt line. Nifty recessed door handles sit below that line. Little tabs with the model name bump down from the window trim. The retro, grille-less fascia is natural and practical, and the whole car has subtly athletic curves. Plus, you can get it as a convertible, something the competition doesn't offer.



The excellent detailing continues inside. The materials are certainly cheap (and admittedly, the doors sound a little flimsy on closing), but it pulls the same tricks that the Ford Maverick does. It has fun with the colors, materials and shapes to make it pleasant. It has a soft, curvy dash panel that can be covered in cool fabric or painted to match the body. The seats are available with the "FIAT" wordmark stitched all through the upholstery. And it has convenient controls to go with the bright and responsive touchscreen. Furthermore, that rear half-door on the hatchback is great for rear seat access. The rear seat is still tight, but you can get three adults into the car in a pinch (mind your heads and knees).

Basically, it's an extremely stylish and chic machine, something that the electric car market could use more in the low-end segment. And it likely would sell at the low end. In the U.K., the 500 Electric starts at nearly 5,000 pounds (about $6,500) less than a Mini Cooper SE (which here in the U.S. starts at $34,750 including destination but before tax incentives), and it's about 3,000 pounds (nearly $4,000) less than a Nissan Leaf with the 40-kWh battery pack (which starts at $28,425). While prices don't usually directly translate, it would seem like the 500 Electric could have a shot at being the most affordable electric car on sale in America, assuming that homologation wouldn't add too much to the cost.

And with that low price, the Fiat would not just bring lots of style, but impressive range. Its 42-kWh battery pack (with a usable 37.3 kWh) delivers a range of around 199 miles on the WLTP cycle. That would probably be a bit lower in the U.S. But since it exceeds both the Nissan Leaf and Mini SE's WLTP ranges (168 miles and 145 miles respectively), we imagine it would beat both of them on the EPA cycle, too, where the 40-kWh Leaf is a low-cost leader with 149 miles of range. The Fiat also boasts available 85-kW DC fast charging, better than the Nissan or the Mini, not to mention the also chic, but low-range Mazda MX-30.



The Fiat's not a class leader everywhere. Its 117 horsepower sounds meager, but it should still have plenty of low-range torque and feel spunky in something so small. And speaking of size, it definitely has less space inside than the other three affordable EVs we've mentioned. But it's notably larger than the old 500. It's more than 3 inches longer and more than 2 inches wider, which should be more appealing to Americans. Cargo space doesn't change, unfortunately.

There's yet one more reason we could see the 500 Electric being a solid product for the U.S.: Fiat actually needs product. The brand sells one single model now, the 500X. And it's getting old. It has a fresher engine from its sibling the Jeep Renegade, but that only goes so far. Having a new, stylish electric car would diversify the showroom, help show that Stellantis brands are serious about the switch to electric power, and maybe attract some buyers who wouldn't have thought about Fiat otherwise.

Yes, we as car enthusiasts have the tendency to demand cars that don't make sense in our respective markets. And there may be an element of that in our argument — we simply think the 500 Electric is neat. But that really isn't all of it. The car has some genuinely impressive electric range available for similarly impressive prices. It also does it without looking boring or dorky. It's also sized better now for America, and it would brighten up some sad-looking Fiat dealerships.

Come on, Stellantis, give the 500 one more shot in America.

The Abarth 131 Rally, the vehicle which captured the imagination of an entire generation of car enthusiasts, can be seen once again on roads around the world with a new look. On the fortieth anniversary of its last race, the Scorpion brand is paying homage to it with the Abarth 695 Tributo 131 Rally special series. This limited edition will be available in just 695 units globally.

The latest version of this top-of-the-range model is a tribute to Abarth's racing history. Competitions have always been part of the brand's DNA and the most innovative solutions - tested on the track to increase performance and reliability - are adopted on normal production cars, ensuring an adrenaline-filled driving experience. Therefore, the new Abarth special edition is an authentic concentration of technology under the banner of the brand's founding values: performance and style.

The Abarth 695 Tributo 131 Rally is equipped with a 1.4 T-jet engine which supplies 180hp (132 kW) and 250Nm of torque at 3,000rpm. Its maximum speed is 140mph (225 km/h) and acceleration from 0 to 62mph (0-100km/h) takes just 6.7 seconds. It also receives Koni FSD shock absorbers on both axles and a dedicated braking system which includes aluminum Brembo calipers, and four pistons on the front and 305mm and 240mm ventilated discs on the rear.

The equipment is completed by the black 17-inch alloy wheels with a diamond-cut finish and the Record Monza Sovrapposto exhaust system-an evolution on the Record Monza system, now with four vertically overlaid terminals. The innovative Spoiler ad Assetto Variabile, which can be adjustable to 12 positions, with an inclination from 0° to 60°, improves cornering stability and provides greater reactivity on mixed roads. For example, at a 60° angle and a speed of 124mph (200 km/h), the aerodynamic load increases up to 42kg.

The Abarth 695 Tributo 131 Rally has a unique and refined look, with specific references to its historical predecessor, such as the new bicolour three-layer Blue Rally glossy livery, which reinterprets its original colour in a contemporary key.

The Abarth 695 Tributo 131 Rally is the first Scorpion vehicle to contain 'Easter Eggs'-tiny stylistic gems which the designers hide to surprise customers-like the silhouette of the 131 Rally engraved on the lower part of the car door, on the Alcantara dashboard and on the headrests of the new seats.

Specifically dedicated to this special series, the livery is embellished with a roof and uprights in black Scorpion Black. The same blue can be found on the mirror caps and some details in the interiors. Blue Rally and Record Grey monochromatic liveries are also available.

Inside, its performance is characterised by the Sabelt fabric seats with blue inserts and stitching inspired by those of the historic car but reinterpreted in a modern standard.

All of this helps remind us of the legendary history of the Abarth 131 Rally, which debuted in 1976 in Group 4. Its enviable track record includes six years in the World Rally Championship (1976-1981) and victories at 18 International Rallies, three World Constructors' Champions (1977, 1978 and 1980), two FIA Cup for Rally Drivers titles with Markku Alén and a World Drivers' Champions with Walter Röhrl.

The Abarth 695 Tributo 131 Rally is priced from £32,325 OTR and will arrive in the UK in summer 2022.

The Fiat 500 is a car that perfectly merges the past, present, and future, with a long history of providing accessible driving to the masses. Today, on its 65th anniversary, the new Fiat 500e is confirmed as the best-selling car in the electric market in both Italy and Germany during the first half of 2022.
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What’s more, Fiat New 500 occupies the third position in Europe in the overall electric car industry and is also on the podium in France and Spain.

“The New all-electric and only electric 500 has reached the podium of the European EV market in the first half of the year,” said Oliver Francois, FIAT CEO and Stellantis Global CMO.

“In the first semester, the New 500 is the most sold EV in Germany – where it has become even more successful than domestic electric cars. [...]This is tangible proof of its success and of how FIAT considers its path towards electrification to be part of its historical social mission.”

The iconic original nuova 500 debuted 65 years ago as a practical city car with a special design. Small, affordable, and versatile, the legendary car conquered the hearts of many.

In 2007, on its 50th anniversary, a new special edition was launched, paying tribute to the original with various retro nods while also bringing in modern design elements to give it a 21st-century look.

In 2017, Fiat celebrated the car’s 60th anniversary with yet another update and an exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.

Since its initial launch in 1957, the Fiat 500 icon has sold more than 6 million units to clients worldwide. The New 500 electric vehicle proved just as popular with the masses, with over 100,000 cars delivered to customers in two years.

During its lifetime, the Fiat 500 received no less than 30 international awards in nine countries, which makes it the Fiat with the most accolades ever. At the moment, the most recent version of the iconic car is available for sale in 38 countries in Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and Japan.

Fiat's high-performance brand Abarth recently updated the aging previous-generation, gasoline-fueled 500 for 2023 but this small hatchback painted in a striking color is an entirely different car. Being based on the latest iteration of the popular Italian model, it means there's no combustion engine under the hood. Instead, an electric motor drives the front wheels and offers more power than the regular EV wearing the parent company's badge.

While the Fiat 500 offers 117 horsepower and 162 pound-feet (220 Newton-meters) of virtually instant torque, the equivalent Abarth version ups the ante to 155 hp and 173 lb-ft (235 Nm). An extra 38 hp and 11 lb-ft (15 Nm) might not seem like a huge jump, but the electric hot hatch does 0 to 62 100 km/h (62 mph) in seven seconds or a full two seconds quicker than the regular EV.



Abarth ran some tests to see how much quicker the electric hatchback is compared to the 695 model and its turbocharged 1.4-liter gasoline engine. They claim it gets from 20 to 40 km/h (12 to 25 mph) a second quicker. A track comparison showed the EV was a second quicker around the Misto Alfa Romeo circuit than the Abarth 695.

The spicy 500e has been fitted with the larger of the two batteries available for the cutesy EV. It's a 42-kWh pack that can be charged at up to 85 kW. About 40 kilometers (25 miles) of range are available after keeping the car plugged in for five minutes while charging it for 35 minutes will replenish the battery to 80 percent.



A fully loaded launch edition called Scorpionissima will be capped at 1,949 units as a nod to the year when Abarth was founded. It can be had with this eye-catching Acid Green paint or Poison Blue, both of which are combined with side graphics. The feisty electric hatch rides on exclusive 18-inch wheels and gets an assortment of upgrades: fixed glass roof, tinted rear windows, sporty metal pedals, and steel door sill plates.

The body-hugging front seats are heated and come wrapped in Alcantara combined with double stitching. The seats have integrated headrests with a laser-etched modernized Abarth logo in Acid Green, which is also found on the steering wheel. A 10.25-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto sits to the right of a seven-inch digital driver's display.



Even though it's a small car, the Abarth 500e is packed with featured. These include automatic headlights and windshield wipers, keyless access, wireless smartphone charger, 360-degree camera, JBL sound system, and automatic climate control. A fake sound generator to mimic a gasoline engine is included, and thankfully, it can be turned off.

The 2023 Abarth 500e isn't a hatchback-only affair since it can also be had as a convertible with a black fabric roof and the same two body paint choices.

The Fiat 500X will be a one-and-done affair in the United States as the small crossover won't be renewed for a second generation. Speaking with Motor Trend at the Los Angeles Auto Show, the company's CEO Olivier Francois announced the scheduled demise of the subcompact model: "When it dies, it dies. We will not replace it." The head honcho went on to say that "Fiat is not here to be everything to everyone everywhere."

The Italian brand plans to focus solely on the 500 city car, which will go on sale in the US in early 2024. Customers will be able to place an order six months beforehand, but it's unclear whether both the hatchback and convertible body styles are coming or just the former. Hopefully, the Abarth 500e introduced earlier this week in Europe is coming to this side of the pond. It could happen as Olivier admitted he "would love to offer it in the US at some point."



Although Fiat USA discontinued the gasoline-fueled, previous-generation 500 in late 2019, the model is still sold on the Old Continent. Not only that, but Abarth updated its performance derivative for the 2023MY. However, Fiat has no intentions of bringing back the ICE-powered model as the plan is to exclusively sell the latest-generation, electric-only model. The 500L minivan is not returning either.

There's no word about how much the 2024 500e will cost in the US, but Olivier warns us it "will be expensive." In addition, limited-run special editions could carry "ridiculously high" price tags. Fiat's CEO is aware the pint-sized EV won't be a huge commercial hit in North America and finds it acceptable to sell just 10,000 cars annually. The electric hatch won't be offered nationwide but its availability will go beyond the states that have ZEV program.

Fiat intends to show the US-bound 2024 500e at next year's Los Angeles Auto Show. It's expected to look virtually the same as its European counterpart, save for the changes necessary to meet regulations. It'll be offered with the larger of the two batteries, a 42-kWh pack, and in just one trim level.

TURIN, Italy – America’s relationship with the Fiat 500 has been rocky at best.

Skimming over the original, pre-war model, the second-generation 500 (the one with a rear-mounted engine) was briefly sold here with funky headlights that stuck out from the front end like a bug’s eyes. Small and underpowered, though a tremendous amount of fun to drive in its own way, it didn’t catch on and moseyed out of our market after a few short years.

The third-generation 500 spearheaded Fiat’s return to the United States when it disembarked here in 2012. It sold as well as you can expect a European-flavored subcompact hatchback to sell in the Ford F-150’s bastion and bowed out in 2019, though it’s still sold across the pond alongside its intended successor. That would be the fourth-generation 500, unveiled in 2020, which kept the retro design but went electric-only.

Sales in the United States are scheduled to start in early 2024, meaning the cheeky hatchback will be about four years old by the time it turns a wheel on American pavement. Is it worth the wait? I traveled to Fiat’s home town of Turin in northern Italy to get a better idea of what makes this fun-sized EV buzz.



There’s one point I need to address right off the bat: what you see in our gallery isn’t exactly what you’ll get when the new 500 rolls into American showrooms with an “e” attached to the end of its name. Fiat hasn’t detailed the American-market model yet, but it’s reasonable to assume most of the changes will be found on the specifications sheet and on the list of standard and optional equipment. Fiat can’t take a European-market car and ship it here unchanged, but I’m not expecting significant updates to the exterior or interior design — nothing suggests it will morph into an outdoorsy four-door crossover.

Speaking of design, it’s been the 500’s main selling point since the last-generation model made its debut in 2007 so Fiat’s edits were pretty light. I’d guess someone who isn’t up to date with what’s happening on car planet might not realize that they’re looking at a new 500, and that’s intentional. Still unabashedly retro, the model stands out from its predecessor with a new-look front end that features two-piece LED headlights and a big “500” emblem, bright beltline trim and a more chiseled hatch. Its proportions haven’t changed, but it’s slightly bigger than before: it stretches 143 inches long, 66.3 inches wide, and 60.1 inches tall, dimensions that make it about 3 inches longer, 2 inches wider, and 2 inches taller than the last 500 sold here. It’s offered as a hatchback with two or three (!) doors and as a quasi-convertible. I drove the two-door hatchback, and it’s too early to tell which variant(s) will come to the United States.

Bigger changes are scattered throughout the interior: the new 500e feels much nicer than the last-generation model, both in terms of fit and finish, and of equipment (it even has power-operated door handles, Maserati-style). It also benefits from the same fun approach to design that permeates most of the recent additions to the Stellantis portfolio. “FIAT” is stitched into the upholstery, the old 500’s outline appears in the interior door pull next to the phrase “Made in Torino,” and the Turin skyline is etched into the wireless charging pad’s mat. The driver faces a two-spoke steering wheel and a refreshingly simple digital instrument cluster, while a 10.25-inch touchscreen dominates the dashboard.

The similarities between the last-generation 500 and the new model are merely skin-deep; the two cars share nothing under the sheet metal. Built on a new platform, the 500e ships with a single, front-mounted electric motor that draws electricity from a tiny, 28.5-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack to zap the front wheels with 95 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque. This version tips the scale at 2,601 pounds, and my crystal ball tells me we’re unlikely to see it in the United States. What we’ll likely get (though keep in mind that this is pure speculation) is the drivetrain European motorists have to pay extra for. It’s still built around a front-mounted electric motor, but the battery pack’s size increases to 42 kWh and horsepower jumps to 118, though torque stays flat. In this configuration, the 2,843-pound 500e takes 9 seconds to reach 62 mph from a stop versus 9.5 seconds for the base model.



Driving range depends on where you drive and who you ask. Fiat quotes figures of 118 miles and 205 miles for the small and big battery packs, respectively, but it notes that driving exclusively in the city unlocks 257 miles and 291 miles, respectively. These numbers were achieved using Europe’s notoriously optimistic WLTP testing cycle, and the EPA figures will be lower (assuming we get either battery pack).

There’s a lot to like about the 500e from the driver’s seat. It’s more spacious than you might assume given its dimensions, the front seats are reasonably comfortable, and the digital instrument cluster is refreshingly simple. It’s basic, which is a nice change from some of the IMAX-like displays companies are increasingly stuffing into their cars. And, in a way, it’s also retro: the old 500 came with a very simple instrument cluster as well. The materials on the dashboard feel nice considering the segment this car competes in, though you don’t need to poke around for very long to find rock-hard plastics, and the gear selector buttons save space but are clunky to use. Out back … well, it’s a 500, a model that has never, ever been admired for roominess. It’s tight, and the trunk is small, but expecting to fit NBA players in the rear seats and a cooler in the trunk is like expecting to zig-zag across central Rome in a Chevrolet Tahoe.

Fiat will make some changes to the 500e before launching it in the United States, as mentioned above, but I’d say the interior is good to go as-is … with one exception. The lone, itsy-bitsy cupholder that flips out from the bottom part of the center console is not going to cut it in the land Big Gulpuccinos.

One of the more interesting and unexpected takeaways from my time behind the wheel is that the 500e drives a lot like its gasoline-burning predecessor. It’s quicker thanks to the electric motor’s instant torque, and it’s obviously quieter, but it doesn’t like to be hustled (that’s what the Abarth-branded model is ostensibly for). While the battery pack is integrated into the chassis and directly under the seats, its relatively small size prevents the 500e from feeling as planted and bottom-heavy as other EVs.

Where this car really shines is in the city. It effortlessly and silently glides from light to light and darts into gaps in traffic. It’s easy to park, too, thanks to a relatively tight turning radius and a light steering system. It’s also at home on country roads and even on the highway, though the steering is equal parts quick and vague and the suspension is surprisingly harsh. I imagine that’s one of the changes that Fiat will make before giving the 500e permission to travel to the United States; global-market cars often come with a firmer suspension in Europe than in the United States due to different buyer preferences.



One of the infotainment system’s menus shows the power flow, which isn’t unusual in a modern car regardless of powertrain type. What’s cool here is that, in addition to the motor’s real-time power consumption, it displays how much juice the climate control system is drawing. This takes a great deal of the guesswork out of driving an EV — if your range is free-falling, it can help you figure out why. In my case, I lost more range than I covered distance. It was fairly cold at the foot of the Italian Alps, so I had the heater on for most of the drive (my tester didn’t have heated seats). Your mileage may literally vary.

Fiat programmed three driving modes called Normal, Range and Sherpa, respectively. The first mode is self-explanatory, but an important detail is that there’s no perceptible brake-energy regeneration. Lift off the accelerator pedal and the 500e coasts without any resistance. Range feels a lot like Normal but it brings a strong amount of regen; you can come to a full stop by lifting your foot off the accelerator. Last and, in this case, least, Sherpa limits the top speed to about 50 mph and disables the air conditioning system as well as the heated seats (if equipped) to save as much range as possible. In a dubious way, this is another retro touch: with Sherpa mode, you’ll be hot as hell in the summer and never reach freeway speeds, just like in a 1957 500 with an air-cooled, 13-horsepower two-cylinder engine.

The one-pedal driving mode is a real boon in city driving, and it adds a little bit of range to the battery pack every time you take your foot off the accelerator pedal, but if I could go back and intervene in the design process, I’d add an intermediate mode. As it stands, it’s all or nothing, and the regeneration you get in Range mode is relatively aggressive. The 500e would benefit from, say, a Range-Light mode.

There are two ways to look at the 500e. On one hand, it’s a whole lot less useful and a whole lot more expensive than its gasoline-powered predecessor. The limited driving range will relegate it to second-car status for most families and, while pricing for the American market hasn’t been released, it won’t be cheap. Pricing starts at €29,950 for the 95-horsepower model and €33,150 for the 118-horsepower version in Italy, figures that represent approximately $31,800 and $35,200, respectively, though the conversion is never as simple as Google makes it out to be. On the other hand, there’s a subset of the population that will welcome the 500e as the perfect car. It turns heads even in its home country, it has one of the best interiors in Europe’s crowded city-car segment, and it’s tailor-made for big-city life. How that translates back in the United States will be interesting to see.

Remember the original 500e? Sergio Marchionne famously said that Fiat Chrysler Automobiles lost a staggering $14,000 every time someone bought one, which is a staggering amount of money for a pint-sized electric vehicle that used to retail at $32,500.

Discontinued after the 2019 model year due to poor sales and an even poorer driving range (originally 87 miles, then 84 miles), the all-electric runabout is coming back to the United States in 2024 with the very same retail price as the original. Accounting for inflation, the new one is better value than the first gen. Any other good news? In addition to modern styling and a touchscreen, Fiat has improved the driving range to 149 miles (just under 240 clicks if you prefer metric).

By itself, that abysmal driving range sealed the car's fate in the United States. But it gets worse, though. Fiat has the audacity to describe the 2024 model year 500e as being all-new, which is technically correct because this 500e is a very different animal from its predecessor. On the other hand, the second-generation 500e was revealed in March 2020 in Milan rather than the Turinese brand's home city.

That's almost four years ago, which calls for a mid-cycle refresh in this industry. Having addressed the misleading bravado, it's time for us to pose a question: Does the 500e actually make sense? From a customer's perspective, it does only if said customer intends to drive this fellow in the urban jungle exclusively. From the automaker's perspective, Fiat could have done better by launching an electric crossover instead of an electric three-door hatchback.

The newly revived 600 comes with either internal combustion or a front-mounted electric motor in the European Union, but its platform wasn't designed with North American regulations in mind. The subcompact 600 in question is twinned with the Jeep Avenger, which is also a forbidden fruit in the US.

Here's yet another question: How does the 500e stack up to its closest rivals? Price-wise, it's more expensive than the MINI Cooper SE Electric Hardtop 2 Door, which promises 114 miles (183 kilometers) for $30,900 sans destination charge and options. Quite a bit larger than the Fiat and MINI, the Chevrolet Equinox EV starts at $34,995 in 1LT FWD flavor, thus meaning $27,495 after the $7,500 federal tax credit. The Fiat and MINI sadly do not qualify.

The 500e will be a hard sell, that's for sure! Gifted with a front-mounted electric motor that puts out 118 horsepower and 162 pound-feet (220 Nm) of torque, the 500e needs an estimated 8.5 seconds to reach 60 miles per hour (97 kilometers per hour).

At launch, the (RED) Edition will have to suffice. Pompously described as the "coolest, most ethical car in urban mobility," the obnoxiously named (RED) Edition sports red mirror caps, a red grille, and 17-inch alloys with a diamond-cut finish. The red theme continues inside, where you'll also find Uconnect 5 touchscreen infotainment and a digital gauge cluster.

A Level 2 home charger is included in the price of the (RED) Edition. Capable of charging at up to 85 kW, the 2024 Fiat 500e requires 35 minutes to replenish its 42-kWh battery pack to 80 percent. Last but not least, Fiat claims that the second-gen 500e is the lightest electric vehicle in the segment, tipping the scales at around 3,000 pounds (1,361 kilograms).

Abarth is turning 75 soon, an important milestone and yet another record for the Scorpion brand, which is still fueling the dreams of fans worldwide. This anniversary is an opportunity to embark on a journey through the Scorpion's history made of records and victories; and discover a symbol of the brand's glorious past and its bright future: a fresh, sporty, and stylish vehicle which perfectly represents the brand's racing spirit and its ongoing commitment to innovation.

The Abarth 695 75° Anniversario limited edition

To celebrate this special birthday and as a tribute to its history, the Scorpion is launching the new Abarth 695 75° Anniversario edition, available in only 1,368 units to pay homage to its well-known 1.4 T-Jet engine, with a symbolic reference to the engine's capacity: 1.368cc. The engine is supercharged with a Garrett GT 1446 turbocharger, delivering 180 HP of power and a torque of 250 Nm at 3,000 rpm. The maximum speed is 225 km/h, and it accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 6.7 seconds. The exhaust features the iconic Record Monza with an active valve. It is also equipped with Koni FSD shock absorbers on both axles.

The special series also features a unique and eye-catching livery which includes a special touch: a dedicated logo displayed both inside and outside to enhance the journeys of the brand's enthusiasts.

The exterior immediately catches the eye. For the first time ever, a scorpion covers the entire roof and pops out against the total black livery thanks to the contrast with its golden body. The model has been enhanced by various elements to make it even more unique, such as privacy glass, gold Abarth logos on both sides, and the original 75° Anniversario decals in the shape of a piston head. Moreover, this special series is equipped with exclusive 17-inch gold alloy wheels, and a high-performing braking system with 305x28mm ventilated and perforated disks clamped by the black Brembo aluminum calipers.

Inside, the designers created an exclusive and charming ambience, as exemplified by the high-quality black Alcantara dashboard and the new Sabelt specific carbon seats. The Alcantara inserts offer a traditional sporty touch, ensuring comfort and style and embellishing the entire interior, while its sporty soul can once again be seen in the Sabelt carbon seats with dedicated stitching and the modern reinterpretation of 75° logo inspired by the historic car. The state-of-the-art equipment includes a 7" Radio DAB, a 7" TFT digital display and Carplay & Android Auto connectivity, as well as automatic air conditioning, Audio Beats and Navigation systems. The limited edition also offers plenty of connectivity thanks to Mopar Connect features, which include My:Assistant, My:Remote Control, My:Car and My:Journey.

Seventy-five years of history and success

The legend of the Brand with the Scorpion badge started on March 31, 1949, when Carlo Abarth (1908-1979) founded Abarth & C. with driver Guido Scagliarini and launched an authentic legend of style and performance.

Their first car, the Fiat 1100-derived 204 A, allowed Tazio Nuvolari to win his last race in 1950. Since then, Abarth's history has been chock-full of records, as the brand has always combined maximum performance, craftsmanship, and non-stop technical refinement. Among the components for mass-production cars, the exhaust pipes became a true icon of the "Abarth style" over the years and the Brand reached the pinnacle of success between the 1950s and 1960s. 1963 saw the debut of the Fiat-Abarth 595, the first Abarth based on the new Fiat 500, which completely transformed the small utility car and allowed it to reach its maximum potential.

The following golden decade was marked by an impressive winning streak: 10 world records, 133 international awards, and more than 10,000 victories on the track.

In 1971, the brand was wholly taken over by the Fiat Group and the legend continued with the Fiat 124 Abarth, the 131 Abarth, and the Ritmo Abarth. In 2008, the brand launched a new line-up created for motorsports enthusiasts. Since then, new models have been launched thick and fast.

2022 marked a completely new era for Abarth as the Brand's completed its model range in Europe with the debut of the all-electric New Abarth 500e, which is faster and more exciting in both urban and suburban driving.

Highlighting the increasingly global character of the brand, in 2022 Abarth also continued its global expansion with the Brazilian launch of the New Abarth Pulse, the first SUV from the historic Italian Brand that has proudly returned to cross European and Asian borders, followed by the introduction of the Abarth Fastback one year later.