MOTORING REVIEW: Limerick drivers will be impressed as iconic model goes all-electric

FIAT first introduced the small Nuova 500 in the late 1950s as an affordable personal means of transport across Europe and beyond. Some 50 years later the Italian carmaker reinvented the city car segment with the current 500 - the best selling city car in Europe.

The nameplate has now gone all-electric with the zero emissions version available here in both hatchback and cabrio body styles and with a range of up to 320kms - the longest range of any electric city car on sale today. It also provides a raft of best-in-class features that include two battery options.

The new 500 is built on a completely new platform - 100pc electric designed for the years ahead. It is wider and longer and has a longer wheelbase, yet it remains well inside the 4-metre length for its segment. Fiat is distributed in Ireland by the Gowan Group’s automotive division which also has Peugeot, Opel, Citroen, Honda, Alfa Romeo, and Jeep in its stable.

A 3-door 4-seater, the 500e is guaranteed to put a smile on your face with cute styling that invites you to get in and take it for a spin. It retains the overall styling of the previous car except for a few new features which include the 500 logo being moved to the front of the car where a radiator grille used to be. The sides have a chrome strip along the shoulder line and around windows. Door handles are flush to the metal but pop out to greet you. My car had the La Prima badging showing that this is the top specification of the model. The rear has an integrated roof height spoiler and rounded bumper contours.

The interior is beautifully appointed with sweeping lines and at the top of the dash within easy eyesight is the new infotainment system with a 10.25-inch display and fully integrated navigation providing traffic information, EV stations etc. Smartphone mirroring is via Bluetooth so you can leave your phone on a space under the centre screen where it will be charged for you. The 3D map navigation can also be visualised on the 7-inch digital cluster, standard on all trims. It shows speed, safety systems, charging status and drive mode. Graphics are colourful and clear.

Heating and ventilation controls are straightforward with physical buttons. Unusually, the ‘gears’ selection is a line of buttons on the lower mid dash. A neat feature as are the electric press buttons to open the doors but there are also manual openers lower down.

Stylish and comfy eco-leather seats are made with special yarn containing up-cycled marine plastic. The driver’s has 6-way manual adjustments. A new front armrest offers decent storage and a smartphone holder with wireless charging. The reshaped 500 logo on the steering wheel recalls the style of the two-spoke ’57 Fiat 500.

The rear is really only suitable for young children or as a place for your coat, computer, bag. There’s no central tunnel here making a bit more space. The boot is also small at 186 litres expandable to 550 litres with the seats down.

Trim levels are - Action, Icon and La Prima in the hatchback bodystyle, and for the 500c (cabrio) are Icon and La Prima. Each provides a high level of standard spec to suit different lifestyles. Standard La Prima spec includes 17-inch alloys, chromed side mouldings, fixed sun roof, eco-leather seats, a 50/50 rear bench, 360 deg Drone view, rear view parking camera, Mode 3 cable (11 kW).

Battery options of 24kW 93hp and a more powerful 42kW with 118hp are only €2,000 in price difference, so it’s really a no brainer to opt for the top version. The larger battery also gets the 320km rated range (WLTP). The car can be fast-charged at 85kW allowing a 50km range - a full day’s city driving - in the time it takes for a 5-minute coffee break.

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The La Prima Fiat 500e is the first small electric car to provide Level 2 autonomous driving which allows it to accelerate, maintain a safe distance, keep you on track, read traffic signs and remind you of speed limits.

I always appreciate one pedal driving in electric cars where you use the one pedal to accelerate and decelerate, and recover kinetic energy to generate electric power and recharge the battery.

Park Assist gives a 360deg view of the car to detect any obstacles and alerts you about how close they are to the car. Other safety features are the Blind Spot Monitor, very good rear view camera and autonomous emergency braking.

All in all, the 500e will keep that smile on your face - all day long!

The hatchback is from €25,995 including grant rebates. La Prima electric from €34,995. Road tax €120.