The new Fiat 500 3+1 aims to improve the small electric hatch’s functionality without being bigger or diluting its signature style.
The 3+1 features a small reverse-hinged rear door on the passenger’s side. As there’s no B-pillar on this side of the car, the rear door is latched to the front door, and can only be opened if the front door is open.
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has yet to confirm if the new 500 will be coming here.
Although the 3+1 is 30kg heavier than the regular three-door hatch, it shares the other variants’ dimensions, meaning it’s 3632mm long, 1683mm wide, 1527mm tall and rides on a 2322mm wheelbase.
Entry-level variants in the new 500 range have a 70kW electric motor hooked up to a 23.8kWh battery pack said to be good for 180km of range using the WLTP standard.
This drivetrain supports 50kW fast charging, has a claimed 0-100km/h time of 9.5 seconds, and has an electronically-limited top speed of 135km/h.
Higher-spec models come fitted with a 87kW electric motor with a larger 42kWh lithium-ion battery with a range of 320km.
It also adds support for 85kW fast charging, and performance has been improved with only 9.0 seconds required to hit the tonne and the top speed set to 150km/h.
Available features include full LED headlights, 15- to 17-inch alloy wheels, “eco” leather trim, electric front seat adjustment, self-dimming rear view mirror, 10.25-inch Uconnect 5 touchscreen infotainment system, a 7.0-inch instrumentation display, and wireless smartphone charging.
Safety items extend to adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, lane centering assist, traffic sign recognition, and Level 2 self-driving capability.
Unlike the 500 currently available in Australia, which is made in Poland, the new 500 is made in Italy.
