Let’s get in the mood by calling it the Cinquecento. Why not get a cappuccino to drink as well? Perfect. The small, and I do mean tiny, original was launched in 1957 and more than 4 million were sold over the next 18 years. In 2007 Fiat introduced a new 500 that took the styling cues of the original and turned it into a retro-based sensation for a new generation. In 2021, the electric 500e arrived giving the now iconic two-door, rear hatch design green credentials.
Any car that can make you smile as you walk towards it is special, and the 500e has that trick off pat. It looks great from any angle, radiates cuteness, and has a catwalk chic that assuredly says this is how design is done in Italy. Take notes. It is a car that doubles as jewellery and looks best of all when seen from your piazza pavement café table as you sip your espresso. Mine was painted metallic Rose Gold so it could match your phone too.
It’s full disclosure time. The car I drive most days is my 11-year old 1200cc petrol Fiat 500 manual. It does everything I need for chores, is cheap to run and still lots of fun to drive. It also has a patina that makes it as familiar and comfy as an old pair of favourite slippers. There was a danger I would compare the box fresh electric 500 to my daily driver. The question became could I leave my confirmation bias on the pavement?
The 500e is slightly larger than the petrol equivalent but you wouldn’t notice unless you were snuggled up next to one. The devil in the heritage details- as in good ones - are all over the design with daytime LEDs that arch over onto the bonnet like two raised eyebrows. According to Fiat, these bafflingly, “pay tribute to the same spirit that inspired our yesterday and leads our tomorrow”. Whatever.
Clear indicator side repeaters punctuate the front wings like stud earrings while recessed door handles smooth the flanks.
Inside, evidence of the recent visit to the dressing-up box continues. The circular instrument cluster, a signature element from 1957 remains, and an image of the original car is embossed in the door panels. The black pad that will charge your phone has the Turin skyline running from left to right at the bottom. You have to squint to see it, but it’s the fact they bothered at all that I like. With potent heritage like this it would be a waste not to flaunt it.
Instruments are now digital and a responsive, pin-sharp central touchscreen provides the infotainment and navigation needs. Apple and Android phones easily connect up, too. A thick flat-bottomed steering wheel has a comforting premium feel and all the other controls you need fall easily and logically to hand. You sit fairly high up with seat height adjustment an option only on top-end models in the range. Nails will never be endangered as doors unlock with a lightest dab of an electric button. Overall, nothing feels cheap.
There is useful storage upfront and a decent boot as well but, unsurprisingly, this is not a welcoming car for rear seat passengers unless you are a contortionist, or in year five at primary school. Fiat acknowledges that, so there is little of interest back there bar seat belts. There is one oversight, considering so much thought has been lavished on the detail. On right-hand drive cars, there is no vanity mirror behind the sun visor. Disastro!
I had the larger motor version that has 117 bhp and will give you about 200 miles of range- on paper that is - around town. This number that will drop off precipitously on the motorway. Town is the operative word, because, with steering as light as a feather this car is made for city streets and tight parking spaces. In town car parks, slotting between the grey and black tanks is easy- peasy. Acceleration from stationary is instant and a 0-60 mph time of eight seconds feels rapid, leaving you free to zoom along narrow roads with all the carefree aplomb of a flying champagne cork.
The ride is confidence building with little lean and good grip but the super light steering, your friend on city streets, is not so useful for feedback at high speeds.
You get a 42kWh battery that allows you to top up from 0-80% charge in about 30 minutes. There are different driving modes with ‘range’ setting the car up for one pedal driving that you soon get used to. ‘Normal’ mimics a regular petrol car. ‘Sherpa’ will eke out the battery further if you just need to make a dash for home, while ‘turtle’ mode is the last desperate throw of the dice, before you run out of juice completely and call your dad.
My review car had the range topping La Prima option pack of tinted glass, a glass roof and fancy sound system. You also get front and rear parking sensors, a rear view camera and a slew of electronic driver aids. You’ll never miss a speed camera as the warning chime is loud enough to wake a teenager before mid-day. The special paint and larger wheels edged the total price to more than £31,000.
It is worth it? Well, if you like Ragu sauce to have a real multi-layered depth of flavour, Ricotta super fresh and you appreciate Renaissance art, then yes. This is because they are all from Italy and, decision wise, they push your heart into pole position over your head. It’s what many things from Italy do. The other home truth is that just about every Italian has an opinion on cars, the butcher, and the baker, even the nuns that tread softly between prayers.
The stakes are high because what rolls off the production line is inexorably linked to national pride. It’s no accident that many of their cars will carry a small motif with the tricolour of the flag.
In this context, the 500e is a joyous re-invention of a design classic made emissions free. It is a lovely thing and a rare thing, too, combining oodles of style with technical subtlety.
The Italians have a word for it, sprezzatura, style as if they casually don’t care, but believe me, they really, really do.
Love it, but 31k????? Mamma mia!