Fiat Adds Electric 500e and Celebrates Building 1 Million Units in Poland
The new variant with optional wheel choices, a sleeker look, and redesigned front end will also include a "pure white" push-button transmission on the inside with the 500e logo on the dashboard. An estimated retail price is set to be about $45,000, although several media reports say that the car is being subsidized by the automaker.
Along with a new longer, 5-seat version--the 500L--Fiat is expanding its range of 500s, which is called Cinquecento in Italy. The little car is now sold in more than 100 countries, including Brazil and Japan. Both the 500e and 500L (Large) will debut at the LA Auto Show. Fiat also says its new 2013 500 and 500c models with manual transmission are slated to deliver 31 mpg in city driving and 40 mpg on the highway--up from 30/38 mpg ratings a year ago as tested by the EPA.
Separately, Fiat this week announced that it produced its one-millionth 500 at the company's plant in Poland. It was 5 years ago that the original compact car first rolled off the assembly line in Turin, Italy. More than 73,000 units have been sold in the United States since it was first introduced, according to the company. The 500 that is sold in the United States is produced at Fiat's Toluca, Mexico, plant.
2012 Fiat 500 Ratings
2013 Fiat 500 Summary, Specs & Photos
All Fiat Model Ratings