When we last saw the Fiat 500e, it was way before Stellantis as we knew it existed with then FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne giving approval for it to be a pure compliance offerings with the brash CEO admitting that the company was losing money on each one it built. The 500e was also limited to the California market though some slipped through the cracks and ended up in other parts of the U.S. (usually through mass auto auctions). But times have changed and while Fiat is only selling the 500X CUV these days (it shipped the 500 hatchback back to Europe a few years ago) the company is willing to give the EV market one more chance with the unveiling of the 2023 Fiat 500e.
Fiat 500e Is Coming, Full Debut Next Year
While the 500e is coming to the U.S. a prominent catch is that we have to wait a bit longer to see it, with Fiat and Stellantis confirming that the U.S. version will be making its debut next year at the 2023 L.A. Auto Show.
In the meantime, the company brought a trio of European spec models to L.A. with each one customized by Giorgio Armani, Bvlgari, and Kartell. We have seen all three of these in the past, but they still manage to drive home the point about the stylish personality lurking in the 500e’s shape. The Armani has special paintwork that imitates the fabric weaves in its products, the Bvlgari has a custom steering wheel mounted 500 brooch, and the Kartell is slathered in blue and has sleek futuristic looking wheels.
In Europe, the 500e has been a sales hit for Fiat with the model priced below the Nissan Leaf as well as the Mini Cooper S E while also offering more range then both of them with the tiny Fiat getting 199 miles of range when measured according to the WTLP scale. The 500e would also be a welcome infusion of product for the few remaining Fiat dealers in the U.S. with those outfits only selling the Fiat 500X CUV. The 500X is competing in a desirable segment but it is also aging and the lineup as a whole is a shell of what it used to be a few years ago when ICE powered 500s, the Fiat 124 Spider, and even the 500L once made up the lineup.
What Can We Expect From A U.S. Version?
When the 500e eventually makes its way to U.S. showrooms it might help form the backbone of a revitalized Fiat lineup. We suspect that the traditional three-door model will come over and with Fiat pushing the debut to next year, we might get a chance to see what the Abarth version can bring to consumers. That said, we also suspect Fiat will limit availability to certain regions at the start of launch with L.A. and other EV strong markets getting priority before the rest of the country gets there 500e allotment.
That availability will also focus on models that sell so that means the convertible version might remain a European market exclusive until Fiat manages to build up enough ground with the other models in terms of sales before thinking about expanding outward with more niche market models.
Carl Malek has been an automotive journalist for over 10 years. First starting out as a freelance photographer before making the transition to writing during college, his work has appeared on numerous automotive forums as well as websites such as Autoshopper.com.
Carl is also a big fan of British vehicles with the bulk of his devotion going to the Morgan Motor Company as well as offerings from Lotus, MG, and Caterham. When he is not writing about automobiles, Carl enjoys spending time with his family and friends in the Metro Detroit area, as well as spending time with his adorable pets.