Reduced Price: Fiat's 500e Two-Door City Electric Hatchback Drops by $20,000
The Italian automaker Fiat has announced significant price reductions for its electric hatchbacks in Australia, making them more accessible to a wider audience. As of September 2022, the drive-away prices for the Fiat 500e La Prima and the Abarth 500e Scorpionissima are now $38,990 and $43,990 respectively, marking a reduction of around $20,000 compared to their previous on-road costs.
The Fiat 500e La Prima, a compact two-door city electric car measuring 3.63 metres in length, comes equipped with an 87 kW electric motor producing 220 Nm of torque and a 42 kWh battery. This setup offers a WLTP range of approximately 311 km. On the other hand, the sportier Abarth 500e Scorpionissima boasts a more powerful 114 kW front-mounted motor, delivering 235 Nm of torque, and a similar 42 kWh battery. Despite the increased power, the Abarth variant offers a slightly reduced range of about 253 km.
Both models offer impressive charging capabilities. The Abarth 500e's DC fast charging speeds can reach up to 85 kW, while the 500e's onboard AC-charger can add up to 11 kW where a three-phase powered charger is available. Charging the Abarth 500e's battery from 10% to 80% takes approximately 35 minutes.
In terms of performance, the 500e can accelerate from 0-100 km/h in around 9 seconds, while the Abarth 500e's improved acceleration shaves 2 seconds off, allowing it to reach 100 km/h in just 7 seconds.
These price reductions are part of a broader trend in the EV market, with small niche models expected to see further price adjustments due to increasing competition. Riz Akhtar, the founder of carloop and a mechanical engineer with a passion for EVs, aims to reduce transport emissions in Australia. Akhtar currently drives a red Tesla Model 3.
The offers for both the 500e and Abarth 500e are expected to run until 30 September 2025 or until stock is available. The Abarth 500e also offers three driving modes: Turismo, Scorpion Street, and Scorpion Track, selected from the centre console.
With these price reductions, Fiat's electric hatchbacks are now more affordable and attractive options for Australian consumers looking to make the switch to electric vehicles.
- The reduction in prices for Fiat's electric hatchbacks, such as the Fiat 500e La Prima and Abarth 500e Scorpionissima, has made them more accessible to a broader segment of the Australian market, opening up the electric vehicle (EV) industry to a wider lifestyle demographic.
- The reduced prices, along with the impressive features of these electric vehicles like charging capabilities and performance, are factors that may influence the finance decisions of prospective car buyers in the transportation sector as they consider switching to electric-vehicle options.
- The increasing competition in the EV market, including models like the Fiat 500e and Abarth 500e, may spur further Innovation and development within the automotive industry, potentially leading to more affordable electric vehicles in the future.
