Fiat 500 Returns to Its Roots: The Iconic City Car Is Back with a Petrol Engine
Like many major automakers, Fiat miscalculated the pace at which consumers would transition to electric vehicles. The latest-generation Fiat 500 had originally been designed as a fully electric model with no internal combustion option. However, the slower-than-expected market shift and fluctuating demand pushed the brand to rethink its strategy. As a result, one of the world’s most iconic city cars is once again available with a petrol engine.
But “petrol” doesn’t mean “performance.” Let’s start with the technical details:
A Modest Engine for Urban Living
Under the hood lies a 1.0-liter three-cylinder turbocharged mild hybrid engine producing just 65 horsepower and 92 Nm of torque. These figures place the petrol Fiat 500 among the slowest-accelerating cars on the European market.
- 0–100 km/h (Hatchback): 16.2 seconds
- 0–100 km/h (Convertible): 17.3 seconds
- Top speed: 155 km/h (HB), 150 km/h (Convertible)
These may not be impressive numbers, but they align perfectly with the 500’s mission as a compact, economical, city-focused vehicle.
The Big Question: Why No Automatic Transmission?
The car’s 6-speed manual gearbox sends power to the front wheels. Still, in an era where city cars are expected to offer automatic transmissions, this choice is contentious. Drivers seeking an automatic Fiat 500 will still need to turn to the electric 500e.
Lightweight Mild-Hybrid Setup
Fiat has kept the car featherlight despite the mild-hybrid system:
- Lightest hatchback: 1,055 kg
- Heaviest convertible: 1,102 kg
Compact, agile and charming, the Fiat 500 maintains its traditional city-friendly character.
