Fiat 500e La Prima here mid-year from $52,500

FIAT has officially confirmed Australian price and specifications for its all-electric 500e La Prima (The First), the highly specified, all-electric Italian micro hatch to arrive in local dealerships mid-year from $52,500 plus on-road costs.

The Fiat 500e La Prima will be offered in a single three-door, four-seat hatch variant priced at more than double its petrol-powered sibling (the current entry-grade 500 Lounge starts at $23,100 + ORC), and $25,300 more than the flagship 500 Dolcevita.

Designed, engineered and now manufactured in Fiat’s heartland, Turin – the modern 500 was previously built in Tychy, Poland – the latest Cinquecento blends retro styling with new technology, incorporating what its maker says are “quintessential design cues with an extraordinary electric experience”.

Scoring a maximum five-star rating from the Green New Car Assessment Program (Green NCAP) that assesses real-world fuel and energy efficiency, the 500e is equipped with a front-mounted electric motor delivering 87kW and 220Nm, which can accelerate the model to 100km/h in 9.0 seconds.

The model is powered by a 42kWh lithium-ion battery pack to deliver a claimed driving range of 311km. Three driving modes are offered including: Normal, Range and Sherpa.

Fiat says the chassis of the 500e is designed to ensure both driving comfort and controlled dynamics, the wider track (+56mm) and length (+61mm) of the vehicle also providing greater interior space.

The 500e’s flat floor, newly sculptured centre console and reprofiled door trims are said to yield increased cabin storage, the model also claiming a renewed focus on quality of fit and finish – likely to help justify the 500e’s premium pricing.

Fiat says owners will immediately recognise interior design cues including the classic dashboard insert familiar to early 500 models, the two-spoke steering wheel, and rounded 7.0-inch instrument cluster while enjoying the La Prima variant’s standard glass roof.

Infotainment duties fall to a 10.25-inch tablet-style screen which hosts six-speaker sound, DAB+ digital radio reception, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, among other high-tech features.

Standard equipment for the 2023 Fiat 500e La Prima includes 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, daytime running lights and tail-lights, eco-leather upholstery in Ice Beige, 50:50 split-fold rear seats, six-way manually adjustable heated front seats, wireless device charging, keyless entry and start, privacy glass, USB-A and -C charging ports, self-dimming rear-view mirror, automatic climate control and automatic headlights and wipers.

The 500e also offers what is arguably the best standard safety suite to yet be offered on a new Fiat model.

Included as standard are autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, traffic sign recognition, lane support system, driver attention assist, blind spot monitor, reversing camera, front and rear parking sensors, tyre pressure monitoring, and adaptive cruise control with lane centring and traffic jam assist.

Six exterior colours are available including Ice White, Onyx Black, Ocean Green, Mineral Grey, Rose Gold and Celestial Blue. Metallic paint options attract a $700 premium while Tri-Coat hues ask $1600.

2023 Fiat 500e pricing*:

*Pricing excludes on-road costs.