The Fiat 500 may be the cutest car on the road, vying with the Mini for retro small car bragging rights. Both have design nostalgia value and both have moved seamlessly into electrification. The all-electric 500e is a deft evolution of the model with all of the charm and none of the emissions.
Yet there will be people who love the idea of a 500 in their lives but require something a little roomier for their lifestyles. Eager to accommodate, Fiat has released its big brother, the 600e. Cynics might claim that the Italian manufacturer is cashing in on the iconic name and overextending the brand, but the truth is that the 600 was around before its more famous sibling. The 600 came out in 1955 as a two-door fastback, but more intriguingly also a four-door minivan, one of the first with three-row seating — and that was a full two years before the 500 arrived.
The modern 600e is more of a small SUV than the people carrier of old. And in case we are not paying any attention to all of the Italian positive energy, Fiat has rolled out a Dolce Vita theme for the launch of the 600e, accompanied by a hardback book to remind people how influential Italian culture is on these shores, particularly in London. The La Dolce Vita Guide features 35 tips for shifting to a more Mediterranean-style of existence. Unsurprisingly it focuses heavily on food and drink, reminding us how to make a negroni and, maybe more surprisingly, how to cook a pizza in a frying pan when a pizza oven is unavailable.
But back to the car. Does all this history and culture convince us to buy an Italian electric SUV? If you love the 500 but it is simply too small, this may well be your next car. The truth is, though, the 600e is not that big — and that may be no bad thing, especially if you’re using it in the city. From a distance it looks like a 500, until you get closer and realise it’s a little more bloated, with four doors instead of two but still doing its best to wear a smile.
Festooned with logos on the outside and in, you will never forget that you are driving both a “Fiat” and a “600”. It shares parts with the Jeep Avenger and those familiar with that car will notice similarities, such as the folding-door cubby bin in the centre console, contributing to a considerable 15l of cabin storage. Overall this is a practical, modern electric car with a respectable 250-mile range that will be enough for most, especially those living in urban environments, to which this car is best suited.
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The top-tier La Prima version gets you 18in alloy wheels, electrically adjustable heated seats, a rear-view camera and adaptive cruise control. The Fiat 600e is straightforward and comfortable, making it a great choice for those transitioning to electric cars. It’s not intimidating from a technical standpoint — just hop in, select the “D” button and you’re ready to go with minimal fuss.
Interestingly Fiat is sticking to its decision not to make the car available in grey tones, despite their popularity. Giuseppe Cava of Fiat UK explains, “Italy is renowned as the ‘land of colour’ and we are basing our Fiat strategy on this concept, offering no more grey cars.” So, the only option for this cheerful car is bright and cheery shades. No excuses then — la dolce vita is there for the taking.
fiat.co.uk
