’s small, two-door body and modest driving range, it’s a happy little electric vehicle. Look, we don’t critique vehicles for what they aren’t, so we won’t be doing any bellyaching about the 500e’s size—it is the modern, all-electric remastering of Fiat’s 1950s 500 original, a golf-cart-sized mini car. Want or need something larger, with more doors, and with Tesla-challenging range? Go buy that something from another company, because that’s not what Fiat’s selling here.
The new 500e uses the STLA City architecture and is slightly larger than its predecessor, being 0.5 inch longer, 6.2 inches taller, and 2 inches wider, with a 0.8-inch-longer wheelbase. This lends the new 500e a bulldog-like stance, which is exaggerated by its snub nose and serious-looking “eyes.” The more substantial appearance is backed up by a 117-hp, 162-lb-ft electric motor driving the front wheels and fed by a 42-kWh battery.
From inside, you might not realize how small the car is externally. The new 500e’s seating position is more natural; it no longer feels as if you’re sittingthe car while paradoxically still looking up at traffic around you. Material quality is OK, while the build tolerances appear tight. With its just-right visual flair, the 500e’s cabin reminds us of the current Honda Civic’s—good for the price but hardly premium or luxurious.
And yes, you can fit adults in the rear seat. Of course, as with any two-door car, slimmer builds and limber joints ease ingress after you tumble and slide each front seat forward using handy levers on each seatback. Headroom in back is tighter than up front, but the space is a revelation compared to the old 500e, with enough width for a central cupholder. There’s also toe space under the seats and a higher cushion that doesn’t leave knees elevated and butts numb.
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Source: cleantechnica - 🏆 565. / 51 Read more »