2021 Fiat 500 la Prima

 

“It's time to take action to create a better future.” Planet Earth is going through a very delicate period, one unique in its history. We have all been called on to take action to create a better future. Fiat is taking on the challenge by bringing out its family jewels: the 500. Because the 500 has always kept pace with time. It changes when social needs change.

 

Today in Milan, the New 500, FCA's first fully electric car was presented. It will change the rules of the game for zero-emissions vehicles.
To picture the future of the 500, the Fiat brand started from what made it what it is. The same was true of the first generation, which offered mobility and freedom in the 1960s. The 500 represented a sea change, and became a much-loved brand. A car that was always on the crest of the wave, and that has established itself as an icon since its debut, 63 years ago.

 

With the second generation, launched in 2007, the Fiat 500 introduced the concept of coolness and charm to the city car, becoming an icon of Italian fashion and style that conquered the world. An ever-evolving model that has inspired artists and musicians over the past thirteen years, and has been the linchpin of more than 30 special series.

 

Now, in 2020, a new era is coming, and it is time for the Fiat 500 to use all its popularity to inspire change and become part of the solution.

 

As mobility is expected to be more sustainable, connected and autonomous, with increasingly stringent regulations, the third generation of the Fiat 500 is once again at the fore, bringing with it design and driving pleasure. It is not just a revolution, but the “reincarnation” of a spirit, one that can inspire renewal. In fact, rules and regulations are not enough for a true revolution, something iconic and beautiful is needed: the New Fiat 500.

 

The path of change cannot be taken alone. We need partners with an equally positive outlook, who want to get involved in improving the state of the Earth, by sharing values and goals. Leonardo Di Caprio has embraced the New Fiat 500 project. The global megastar, who has been personally involved in protecting the Earth for more than twenty years, has offered his endorsement for the vision of the new electric city car.

 

This vision is shared by other stakeholders – Giorgio Armani, Bvlgari and Kartell, three iconic companies in the world of Made in Italy, which, together with the Fiat brand, have breathed life into a strategy where sustainability is closely intertwined with excellence in know-how, creativity and innovation. This is how the One-offs, the three unique and exclusive examples of the New Fiat 500, came to be. To create these models with Armani, Bvlgari and Kartell, we took as a starting point the values of the iconic 500, the best-known Fiat city car in the world, by those who define the third generation. Combining these values with their own has resulted in three unique models of the New 500, characterized by style, creativity and craftsmanship.

 

Real masterpieces of Italian ingenuity to the extent of a great work of art, the three One-offs were produced with the will and commitment to make more use of sustainable, natural and recycled materials.
This strategy aimed at improving the Planet also includes a charity auction. All the proceeds from the sale of the three unique models – the 500 Giorgio Armani, the B.500 “MAI TROPPO” by Bvlgari and the 500 Kartell – will go to one of Leonardo Di Caprio's environmental organizations.

 

So much substance: the best possible range, charging and driving

When designing the New 500, the engineers started with a blank sheet of paper, so they could work on every aspect with the utmost attention to detail and choose the best solutions.

 

Range and charging times are two key issues for customers. The lithium-ion batteries with a capacity of 42 kWh give the New 500 a range of up to 320 km in the WLTP cycle.

 

To optimize charging time, the New 500 is equipped with an 85 kW fast charger system to charge the battery very quickly. For example, it takes only 5 minutes to build up a sufficient energy reserve to travel 50 kilometers, more than is needed for average daily use. And the fast charger can also charge the battery to 80% in just 35 minutes. The Combo 2 socket located on the rear right side panel of the car powers the fast charger, for both AC and DC charging.

 

Home charging solutions are also available. The launch edition of the new 500 includes the Easy Wallbox™, a home charging system that can be connected to a normal home outlet. ENGIE EPS developed this exclusively for FCA, and it will be marketed by Mopar in Europe to coincide with the launch of the model. It is a simple, accessible “plug-and-charge” solution that can be managed easily via Bluetooth, letting you stabilize your energy load by charging your 500 immediately at home with up to 3 kW of charging power, with no need for any intervention by skilled personnel. Moreover, the Easy WallboxTM is ready for a power upgrade to 7.4 kW, providing a full charge at home in just over 6 hours. The model also comes with a Mode 3 cable for charging from the public mains.

 

The New 500 has three driving modes: Normal, Range and Sherpa, which can be selected to match your driving style.

 

In particular, Sherpa mode optimizes the available resources to ensure that you will reach your destination. Sherpa driving mode works on several components to reduce fuel consumption to a minimum, precisely to ensure that you can reach either the destination set on the navigation system or the nearest charging station comfortably. Just like a “Himalayan Sherpa”, who is in charge of the whole expedition and guides it to the destination, this driving mode adjusts various parameters: maximum speed, limited to 80 km/h; accelerator response, in order to reduce energy consumption; and deactivation of the climate control system and heated seats (the driver has the option of activating them at any time).

 

“Normal” mode is as close as possible to driving a vehicle with a normal combustion engine, while “Range” mode activates the “one-pedal-drive” function. By selecting this driving mode, you can practically drive the New 500 with the accelerator pedal alone. In fact, releasing it causes much greater deceleration than with a normal combustion engine, almost as if you had pushed the brake pedal. In any event, you need to push the brake pedal to bring the car to a complete stop. However, in daily use and with more practice, you can eventually learn to drive it using the accelerator pedal only.

 

The engine has an output of 87 kW, providing a maximum speed of 150 km/h (self-limited) and acceleration from 0-100 km/h in 9.0 seconds and 0-50 km/h in 3.1 seconds.

 

Level 2 autonomous driving and connectivity

The car of the future is not just an electric city car, but goes one step further: it literally goes to the next level by being the first car in its segment to offer level 2 autonomous driving, bringing all the associated benefits to urban mobility.

 

Front-facing camera monitoring technology monitors all areas of the car, both longitudinally and laterally. The intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control (iACC) system brakes or accelerates in response to anything: cars, cyclists, pedestrians. Lane Centering keeps the vehicle in the center of the lane when the markings are correctly identified.

 

Intelligent Speed Assist reads the speed limits and recommends applying them, while Urban Blind Spot uses ultrasonic sensors to monitor the blind spots and warn of any obstacles with a triangular warning light on the wing mirror. Then there is Attention Assist, which provides warnings on the display, recommending that you stop and take a break when you are tired. Finally, the 360° sensors provide a drone view to avoid any obstacles when parking or performing complex maneuvers.

 

The third-generation 500 is the first FCA car equipped with the new UConnect 5 infotainment system, the connected platform designed for the future. Developed with the idea of providing customers with a completely new user experience in mind, FCA uses the easy, intuitive and incredibly customizable Android Auto operating system. For example, you can use widgets to configure how functions and apps are displayed. Apple CarPlay is already available wirelessly. The system is also ready to offer the same functionality for Android Auto.
In short, the New 500 offers seamless integration with your smartphone, offering a 10.25” high-definition touchscreen, with a horizontal form factor that fits perfectly into the car dashboard, following its lines.

 

UConnect 5 combined with the Telematic Box Module, as well as the mandatory Emergency Call function, offers customers a number of innovative connectivity services:

 

So, the New 500 was born perfectly connected: it dialogs with you both inside and outside the car, allowing you to set the navigation route in advance, and to find it air-conditioned on arrival. And once the car door is opened, your mobile phone will be connected in just 5 seconds. You will no longer need to use the charging cable either.

 

The launch version also boasts the Natural Language interface system, with advanced voice recognition, so you can talk to the car to control parameters, set the climate control and choose your favorite music.

 

Style and design

In terms of style, the New 500 implements future mobility in an Italian way, bringing together the considerable legacy of the two previous generations. Because we must never forget that the New 500 is what it is, an iconic city car with the same stylistic proportions and clean design, a sign of our times. Classic, cool, and rooted in 63 years of history. During the design phase, the Fiat Style Center worked on clean lines and a consistent language to define the look of the third generation: crisp, advanced and compact, while being more sinuous and elegant, shaped around a more proportioned approach to the chassis. This makes it spatially attractive, giving a perception of increased stability and dimensional presence.

 

Another requirement was to immediately give the new model a dedicated 500 logo, which appears at the center of the front badge for the first time, in the place of the Fiat logo. The current 500 logo at the rear keeps its link with the past, albeit transformed into the dedicated all-electric version: distinguished and embellished by a Light Blue border, with a play of design and color transforming the final zero into a letter “E”.  
 

The New 500 has all the elements of style, just quieter, cleaner and crisper. The front is vertical as in the 1957 version, making it less elusive, almost facing the road, and the dynamic feel of the profile has been accentuated. The dividing line of the first generation separated the bonnet from the circular headlights, while today that separation has been redesigned, dividing the modular elliptical headlight with an eyelash on the bonnet. The slightly more ellptical, still-iconic headlights are technological and modern, resulting in a more appealing look, while the door handles are completely flush, with a compartment for the electric unlocking. A car with a smile, which has not lost the ‘carefree’ connotation expressed by its empathetic front, even in the third generation.

 

Its form demonstrates the same creative spirit. The substance of the new platform has given the third-generation 500 an incredible presence: it is 6 cm wider and 6 cm longer, the wheelbase has been extended by 2 cm, and the wheels are larger and further apart, giving it a stronger personality and greater comfort despite its length remaining under four meters.

 

Inside, the electric 500 is completely new and elegant, with clear references to elements of the first generation. Like an interior designer, the Style Center has furnished the interior by distributing the bulk efficiently to achieve formal simplicity, trim aesthetics and visual clarity. This is exemplified by the wide and slender dashboard and the modular storage solutions between the two front seats where the gear shift console was originally located, significantly improving perceived comfort. There is more space behind the shoulders and for the legs, while the flat bottom can house the lithium batteries without compromising the luggage compartment capacity, which remains unchanged. The result is a well-thought-out and cleaner environment, with fewer buttons and crisp, harmonious lines that are all about sustainability. As for the Hybrid Fiat 500, including the electric version, some trim levels also have seats made using “Seaqual” yarn, derived from plastic recovered from the sea, while others make considerable use of eco-leather rather than real leather.

 

Incredible excitement

The Fiat 500 has always been synonymous with excitement. And the third generation is also set to amaze, even before pressing the start button. The new 500 debuts in the convertible version: the first open-air four-seater with zero emissions: all open, all electric, all silent. As an icon of La Dolce Vita, it had to be reborn to bring out all the charm of its forms and sounds. And on the subject of sounds, here is another unique feature of the new city car, which will become available later: the Acoustic Vehicle Alert System (AVAS), an acoustic warning for pedestrians that is mandatory at speeds up to 20 km/h; the chosen sound is not a common acoustic signal, but rather the music of Amarcord by Nino Rota, in pure Dolce vita style, an example of the most authentic Italian creativity.

 

The “la Prima” launch edition is available for pre-booking

A dream is coming true: the “la Prima” launch edition, a limited edition designed for the launch of the New 500, with its own distinct style, exclusivity, technology and connectivity.
From today, March 4, it can be ordered via an online pre-booking system on the www.fiat.com* website, by following a simple procedure of just three clicks.
Style. It is clearly a 500, and as such it cannot but embody style and attention to every detail. Furthermore, it is electric and therefore sustainable, and even the choice of colors was inspired by nature and its basic elements. La Prima is available in three colors:

The launch version also features full LED headlights, eco-leather upholstery, 17” diamond-cut wheels and chrome-plated inserts on the windows and side panels.

 

Exclusivity. Those who desire the New 500 “La Prima” require all its details to be exclusive: the Monogram Soft Top, and the “1 of 500” numbered badge alongside the name of the country in which the car was purchased on the first 500 units sold in the main countries.

 

Technology. “la Prima” is equipped with the most advanced ADAS systems available:

 Lane Control;

 

It is of course equipped with the Level 2 Autonomous driving System, for the first time in a city car.

 

Connectivity. The new UConnect 5 infotainment system: 7’’ TFT Display, Radio 10.25’’ Touch Screen NAV, Digital Audio Broadcast, Wireless CarPlay / Android Auto, Telematic Box Module.

 

The “la Prima” full-option convertible is the only electric four-seater convertible. It comes complete with new content as standard, such as the 85 kW fast charger and an interior with eco-leather dashboard and seats.

 

To book the “la Prima” limited edition, simply browse to the www.fiat.com* website, and with just three clicks and a deposit of €500, you can become a part of the mobility of the future. The steps required are really simple and quick: select your color, register and choose a dealership, then pay the €500 deposit, which is always refundable. The unique and exclusive system uses your postal code to identify environmental incentives, and displays the final price as well as the national and local incentives available in your area. The €500 is not a down-payment, but serves as proof of interest in purchasing a “La Prima” limited edition, only limited numbers of which are available in each country.

 

The price of the New 500 “la Prima” Convertible, including Easy WallboxTM, is €37,900 (not including the environmental incentives for your country).

 

Leonardo Di Caprio, endorser of the New 500 project

To assist in the development of the New 500 strategy, inspired by change and the desire to give the Earth a better future, the Fiat brand has taken on a star who has for over 20 years been committed to combating climate change and defending biodiversity: Leonardo Di Caprio. The U.S. actor and activist has embraced the philosophy of the New 500 and wanted to offer his endorsement for Fiat's mission.

This strategy of sharing ideas and projects also includes other partners with whom Fiat has worked on the One-offs, the first three unique and special examples of the New 500 that will be sold at auction, the proceeds of which will go to one of Leonardo Di Caprio's environmental organizations.

 

The One-offs

The three One-offs to be presented in Milan serve as a testament to the extent sustainability and the desire to get right into improving the Earth are now so strong. Companies such as Giorgio Armani, Bvlgari and Kartell, symbols of Italian excellence around the world, have shared in the New 500 project, with a common desire to breathe life into the change, by creating three unique models to celebrate the arrival of the first the project of New 500 and have wanted, together, to give voice to this change by creating three unique pieces that celebrate the arrival of the first fully electric FCA car from the outset.
The 500 has always been an Italian icon, Fiat's little one, having made its way into the world by becoming the best-selling FCA car abroad and by featuring at MoMA in New York. Comparable to a haute couture outfit, a object of design and a jewel, Fiat has selected the very best for the New 500 project – Armani, Bvlgari and Kartell. Bringing together all their values has brought to life the three very special One-offs, marked out in particular by their style, creativity and craftsmanship, based on the use of natural, recycled and regenerated materials.

500 Giorgio Armani

Only Giorgio Armani, the undisputed king of the world of Italian elegance, could be the one to interpret the style. His haute couture house interpreted their version of the electric 500, the 500 Armani, in the name of timeless tailoring and sustainability. Using laser technology, Armani wished to shape the metal covering of the car’s bodywork (and eventually etching it) with exclusive microchevron engraving, bringing it as close as possible to the three dimensions of a fabric. The result is further enhanced by an Armani gray-green “silk effect” color. What’s more, the opaque paint used for the exterior is an innovative product. While the “GA” logo is a strong feature of the wheel design and customizes the fabric of the soft top, while the amber-colored windows raise the car’s level of harmony and sophistication.
The neutral and elegant nuances continue in the interior: the seats are upholstered in certified full-grain natural leather, sourced from Poltrona Frau, in a “greyge” color with microchevron wool bands, embellished with details taken from the craftsmanship of the best leather goods.
The naturalness and authenticity of the materials is also emphasized by the sinuous and sculptural dashboard insert, covered with reconstituted open-pore wood embellished with thin layers of aluminum inlay, inspired by the elegance and contemporaneity of the Armani/Casa line.

B.500 “MAI TROPPO”

Bvlgari's One-off B.500 “MAI TROPPO” is a homage to craftsmanship and beauty. 500 has always played a role in La Dolce Vita, an Italian icon born of the love for beauty and art. The new interpreter of these values is Bvlgari, an emblem of Italian excellence, a brand that has innovated over the years by rewriting the rules of world jewelry and launching new trends that have become icons of contemporary design. The New 500 is a true gem in its own right, with its interiors in the finest materials, embellished by the greatest attention to the details and unique finishes that recall the vivid, unmistakable combinations of colors and motifs and exalt Bulgari's Roman origins.
It could therefore take no other name than “MAI TROPPO” [never too much].
The One-off features a saffron-colored pearlescent paint, an iconic shade at Bvlgari inspired by the chromatic variegation of Roman sunsets. This effect is enhanced by a nuance in the paint produced by expert manual technique. The “saffron” paint emphasizes the character of the car as a “jewel”, based on the inclusion of gold powder, recovered from the scraps of jewelry production. The end result: an environmentally friendly car, resplendent in its own light. In addition to the gold paint, the B.500 has side sills and front moldings processed using the glazing technique; specifically designed wheels in the form of a star, the historical symbol of Bvlgari, along with black lacquer with gold trim and a side “jewel” badge in polished gold, with a diamond-paved B.500 logo. The philosophy of re-use continues in the interiors, with a dashboard fascia made even more elegant by its upholstery with heritage Bvlgari silk scarves from the collections of the past. The seats are in teal leather with "Diva" pattern embroidery, gold details and scarf inserts. The true jewel of the interiors are three semi-precious stones, amethyst, topaz and citrine, set in a removable brooch, made by the master goldsmiths at Bvlgari and placed in the center of the steering wheel.

500 Kartell

Creativity and innovation are the elements of inspiration for the 500 Kartell One-off, from the iconic brand of Italian industrial design, which constantly experiments and researches new aesthetic and functions vernaculars for plastics. In recent years, Kartell has also been involved in developing increasingly sustainable plastics.
The New 500 Kartell is an ideal mixture of materials that come together to breathe life into a true object of contemporary design.
The exterior features a “monoblock color” concept where the different types of materials – metal, glass, rubber, plastic and fabric – are interpreted in the same color: Kartell blue, derived from Yves Klein blue, a universally recognized color iconic of the brand. The surfaces of the bodywork are mirror-effect Kartell blue, obtained using a blue Kartell mirror effect obtained with an environmentally friendly chrome paint. The two brands’ logos stand out from the bodywork thanks to treatment with a sandblasted polycarbonate, to convey a sense of material and depth.
The most symbolic elements of the exterior, in addition to the color effect, are the components made of polycarbonate recycled from end-of-life parabolic projectors, used in the front grille, wheels and mirror caps. These objects feature a unique design inspired by the pattern of Kartell's Kabuki lamp, created and developed by the designer Ferruccio Laviani as a motif to lead the new car's identity, with unique details that recall the texture of the lamp and become special elements of the car. The Kabuki pattern remains the protagonist in the interiors, with a polycarbonate cover on the dashboard insert and transparently applied to the seats.
The contrast between the Kartell blue of the exterior and the brightness of the interior is striking, providing a clear and light environment, combining warm and cool hues. The tactile textile plastics used in the interior are 100% recycled polypropylene, just like the chairs from the latest Kartell collection. The fabrics take on a natural, cozy look, in fully recycled polyester.

 

The Fiat 500, an “Italian Icon and Honorary Member” of Altagamma

The world premiere of the New 500 in Milan is also an opportunity to announce the confirmation of the Fiat 500 as an “Italian Icon and Honorary Member” of Altagamma, the association that since 1992 has brought together the best companies in the High Culture and Creative Industry that promote Italian excellence and lifestyle around the world. Unique in its breadth, Altagamma welcomes 107 brands from the fashion, design, jewelry, food, hospitality, adrenaline and wellness sectors. Together they have a total of more than 9,000 years of history, with an average of 85 years per company. Today, the Fiat 500, a symbol of Made in Italy and an icon and ambassador for the Italian Lifestyle around the world, becomes an “Honorary Member” of the prestigious association. Fiat's city car, now in its third generation, has been on the crest of the wave since 1954. In 63 years of history, it has created a position for itself in the world, becoming a symbol of the urban mobility of the past, present and future.
The Fiat 500’s new status takes its place in a long-established collaboration between FCA and the association, with other Group brands already forming part of Altagamma.

 

“My Dream Garage”, FCA's exclusive garage

Remaining on the subject of exclusivity, purchasing a New Fiat 500 equates to entering the “House of Brands”, a highly exclusive club. It means opting for electric, but from time to time you can choose to drive the vehicle you need most: another model from the New 500 stable such as the 500X or 500L, an Italian sports car like the Alfa Romeo Giulia or Stelvio, or even an American SUV like the unstoppable Jeep Wrangler, Compass or Renegade. All this is made possible by “My Dream Garage”, the new mobility service designed by FCA and Leasys, a leasing and mobility company, exclusively for customers who buy a New Fiat 500.
It will be a new subscription service, offering the option of booking all FCA Group cars “on-demand”.