Electric Fiat 600: test, price, details

Two tests in one, with the first test of the new one Fiat 600e which marks the road debut of the new model, here with a 156 HP electric engine and price starting from 35,950 euros, but which we will also see in the 1.2 3-cylinder 100 HP mild hybrid petrol variant from next spring, starting from 24,950 euros. Above all, the Fiat 600 is 4,171 mm long, or 90 mm less than the 500X, and marks the return of the Italian brand to the heart of the B segment which was once the kingdom of the Grande Punto: today the inspiration comes from the electric 500 and its style is more refined, but the message remains the general public.

The design

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Better live than in photos. At first contact, the new Fiat 600 demonstrates that its design is more convincing when evaluated with the naked eye, aiming for proportions that go far beyond the similarities with its cousin the Jeep Avenger, from which it does not take at all the angular cut of the windshield or a general tendency towards sharp-angled bodywork, as seemed more evident from the images. Inspiration is something else entirely, with a rather marked proximity to the electric Fiat 500 and that taste also refined in details and curvilinear shapes, without too many disturbing elements. The Fiat 600 pleases, and then also makes us think, with a length of 4,171 mm which means 90 mm less than the Fiat 500X, with a width of 1,781 mm and a height that does not exceed 1,523 mm, i.e. the same of 500 electric. The front and rear overhangs are rather short, the distance between the wheels of 2,562 mm is useful for the spaciousness of the passenger compartment, but also for the general balance of an urban crossover bodywork which, in modern times, ideally takes the place left by a B-segment model like the Grande Punto, then 4,030 mm long.

Today, there is a game of mirrors with the electric 500 especially in the front, with the light clusters that extend over the lower portion of the bonnet, as well as in the shape of the grille, this time with the 600 logo in numbers. The sides host rims up to 18″ which can be improved in the futuristic design of the spokes, but above all they are clean, even logical in the shape of the rear pillar which allows a trunk with 360 liters of capacityhowever inferior to the edgy Avenger. The rear lightscollected in a vertical element, they are perhaps the only real reference to the historic Fiat 600while the whole still looks good on the new electric 500 in the good quality of the finishes, the sheet metal couplings and the paintwork.

Interiors

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Taste and lightness, with quality materials and assembly. The interior of the Fiat 600 is well donewith very simple lines in the design of the dashboard, where the digital instrumentation with one 7″ screen behind the steering wheel it is housed in a circular, unobtrusive lid. Same “delicate” dimensions for the 10.25″ central display, animated by the latest version of the Fiat infotainment system, with wireless CarPlay and Android Auto connection, assisted by up to 6 speakers and USB type A and type C ports . The user interface is fast, with refined graphics and rather intuitive controls. Further down, the physical buttons for the climate control and finally the transmission controls with the selection of the direction of travel. Between the front seats we find two storage compartments, the first with a magnetic cover identical to that used for tablet screens, the second uncovered, in a more rearward position, but of good depth.

The effect is that of a five-door electric 500, with substantial plastics and above all soundproofing while driving which isolates the noise of the tires and the road surface in an almost surprising way for a car of this category. We like the consistency of the fabric or eco-leather upholstery, but also the “fullness” of the two-spoke steering wheel, while there is a consideration to be made about the rear habitability, with doors with a wide opening range, but also a rather eye-catching tunnel in correspondence of the floor in front of the central passenger: the e-cmp2 floor in that area houses part of the batteries, but is not flat as one would expect from an electric one.

Electric motorization

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No surprises from a powertrain identical down to the smallest details to the one already seen above Jeep Avengerwhich not only shares the same mechanical platform, but also the engine made by eMotors, a 50/50 joint venture between Stellantis and Nidec. It has a power of 115 kW, i.e. 156 HP, with a maximum torque of 260 Nm, single-speed transmission and front-wheel drive only. The lithium-ion battery has 51 kWh of net capacity and is distributed under the front and rear seats, but also under the central tunnel. The average declared autonomy corresponds to 409 km of mileage for the Red version, which drops to 406 km in the First one: in the city the communicated values ​​correspond respectively to 604 and 591 km. The Fiat 600e relies on the on-board charger with 100 kW of direct current power, certainly not the best performing on the market, which nevertheless allows the batteries to be regenerated from 20 to 80% in 27 minutes. In alternating current charging does not exceed 11 kW of power, with a time of 5 hours and 45 minutes for a complete tank of energy at a public charging station.

How is it going

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A car that is immediately understandable due to its good visibility on the road and the easy-to-find driving position, thanks to the steering wheel that can be easily adjusted in height and depth, as well as the electric seat adjustments. You quickly get in tune with the Fiat 600e, thanks also to the unobtrusive dashboard in terms of size which allows you to concentrate on driving, as well as certainly good aerodynamic silence. The sensation is that of a new model that conveys familiaritywith a balanced set-up, clear entry into corners and without excess harshness on rough surfaces, with independent MacPherson strut front suspension and a torsion beam at the rear. What I really like is the behavior of the steeringwhich has good precision in drawing trajectories, is sensitive to small angles and above all has a full-bodied and linear return, worthy of a range car, becoming even more consistent when switching from Eco or Normal to Sport modes. The behavior of the brakes is less convincing, with a certain sponginess in the first phase of pressure. For now, we judge the Fiat 600 in an electric variant that weighs 1,530 kg, in which the 51 kWh net capacity batteries account for 390 kg.

It is a good compromise of mass compared to size, with a rather favorable turning circle which helps city driving and good agility in rapid changes of direction, all enhanced by the behavior now typical of the electric motors of the Stellantis group, that is, a very progressive response to the right pedal, with great control of the front traction, but without jerks and performance peaks. The acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 9 seconds actually tells less than expected, with very good responsiveness when you reach the threshold of 30 hours and up. The Fiat 600e has its own personality, made up of predictable reactions and comfort, with a good dose of snap, while in the short test carried out between Turin and Asti we found rather realistic consumption data compared to those declared, i.e. 15.2 kWh/100km. Regardless of the considerations on the price of the electric variant, and already looking at its variant with a mild hybrid petrol engine, the Fiat 600 is a good return to that range of cars that was from the Grande Punto and today has the evolved lines of an urban crossover, but the same usability daily.

Equipment and prices

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The New 600e is the first car in Fiat’s new line of simple price lists, with an entry-level version 600e Red from the price of 35,950 eurosthat is to say 29,950 euros thanks to state promotions and incentives foreseen in the event of scrapping, while the second set-up named 600e La Prima has a price of 40,950 euros. Identical on a mechanical level, the differences are quite evident already from the colour, which for the 600e Red is only available in red, white and black, with 16″ wheels and fabric interiors. The equipment includes the display behind the 7″ steering wheel combined with the 10.25″ central screen, automatic climate control, electric windows, light, rain and parking sensors, cruise control and folding and 60/40 split rear sofa. Fiat 600e La Prima will be available in the 4 characteristic Arancio sole d’ colours. Italia, Verde made d’Italia, Sabbia terra d’Italia and Azzurro cielo d’Italia, that is, four colors that the brand offers as added value of an equipment that also includes 18″ alloy wheels, the internal “tecno leather” upholstery ” ivory color and satellite navigator, reversing camera, six speakers and USB socket for the rear seats, electric opening of the tailgate and massaging front seats, in addition to the Adas package which is standard and includes adaptive cruise control, vehicle maintenance device lane, parking sensors including lateral ones and dark corner warning.

Pros and cons

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These are the strong points and elements that can be improved on the new 600e:

• Pleasant look and great care in construction, with good materials and lots of soundproofing;
• The behavior of the electric motor is progressive, without jerks and performance peaks;
• In an initial test, the declared consumption of 15.2 kWh/100km appeared realistic.

• Brakes spongy and with some uncertainty in the first phase of pressure;
• Below average speed performance compared to the power of 156 HP;
• Charging power not high in both alternating and direct current, however not projected towards future competition.