Fiat’s new 600e claims over 600 km of electric range

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In true cute-ute style and shape, Fiat announced its new all-electric 600e for the European market. It will run on the same platform as Jeep’s small Avenger EV that was debuted last year as Jeep’s first EV, also only for the European market.

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The 600e will follow the success of the Fiat 600 that Fiat says is “renowned as the family mover.” It might be hard to think of this small vehicle as a family hauler, but it is 14 inches longer than the Fiat 500e, which is the one we’ll be getting here in North America in 2024. The five-seater 600e will also have 360 litres of cargo space.

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The 600e runs a 54 kWh battery that should get over 400 km of range, but that’s using the often-exaggerated WLTP test cycle figures. Fiat claims when used in city environments — its optimized happy place — the range can exceed 600 km. The 600e can recharge at a maximum of 100kW, hitting the desired 80 per cent point charge in less than 30 minutes. If you prefer to charge at home, there’s a 11kW onboard charger that should get the car to a full charge in about six hours. For those who care, the 600e can hit 100 km/h in 9.0 seconds.

The exterior is adorned with soft curves and design lines, oval headlights, 18″ wheels and 600e badging on all four sides; it really is the ideal cute-ute appearance. Inside, a curved dashboard houses a 10.3-inch screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 7.0-inch digital gauge display, wireless charger and several of USB ports. An eight-colour ambient light system (why bother?), hands-free power liftgate and six-speaker sound system round out the highlights. Tack on the standard power and massaging driver’s seat and Fiat dubs the 600e to be Dolce Vita — a term coined for a pleasurable and luxurious lifestyle — inside. But don’t worry, they won’t be offering grey colour options because Fiat says that’s not Dolce Vita.

You probably shouldn’t count on a change of heart from Fiat, as the CEO told Car and Driver the company is focused on on the 500e, and there won’t be a replacement for the 500X in North America. They’re likely too close in size, anyway, and the niche automaker — given its history here — should focus on staying in one electric lane at a time.