Why should the Fiat 500 return to the hot engine before summer?

Fiat like Stellantis – the car group that the Italian brand owns – has not made an official announcement, but the rumor is already spreading to all dealers. In an article published this week, specialized media European Car News mentioned likely to arrive at a temperature of 500.

Blaspheming others, admitting failure to others. Since its launch in 2020, Fiat had made sure that the 500e was a 100% electric car. The brand promised that no agreement is possible on this point.

Unloved electric 500?

But a letter written by Stellantis to suppliers suggests the group is preparing to make major changes. In this document, the union announces an order for 150,000 new 500e before the end of the year.

If the engine is not specified in detail, several informants indicated that making more than 100,000 electric Fiat 500e was not possible. The equipment required for such industrial work is not available at Fiat. This would also be a phenomenon from a commercial point of view, all these cars not finding a buyer.

Because if the 100% electric Fiat 500e is difficult to produce, it is even more difficult to sell. The Italian brand cannot sell all of its production. It was these sales problems that would push Stellantis to launch a heated version of the 500e.

Hot Fiat 500, the solution to all problems?

Stellantis seems to have found a solution to all its problems in a heated version of its 500e. First of all, the fuel-efficient Fiat 500s, which are still on the market, will no longer be able to drive in Europe from this summer. Another thing close to 500, the Italian Mirafiori factory, which produces this model, is now in trouble.

The order book is empty, and jobs are threatened. The launch of the hot version of the 500e could therefore boost sales and save a lot of work in Italy. It is enough to improve the relationship between the brand and the boot government.

Electric city car, mission impossible?

This decision (not yet official) in any case shows the failure of Fiat to launch a popular electric city car. The brand wanted to ride on the name and reputation of the Fiat 500, but the “light” characteristics of this city car made it a car avoided by the general public.

As several car experts explain, the revised design of the 500e attracts many potential customers, but all or almost all run away when reading the technical sheet and especially the autonomy (between 190 and 320 km depending on the evaluation cycles).

While all car manufacturers are entering the electric market, Fiat will be the first to face obstacles. The Italian brand had taken a risky gamble. He didn’t want to make a luxury sedan with a big battery. Not even a spacious and heavy SUV, also capable of driving for hours.

Fiat wanted, like Peugeot with its e-208 or its Renault during its Zoé, to position itself in the market of electric city cars, modern high-end models in the world of electric cars. A failed bet for the Italian brand, which could not combine the small size of its legendary 500 with impressive freedom.