ABARTH 500E TURISMO FULLY ELECTRIC HATCH

The Abarth 500e Turismo looks the goods, flashy but at the same time restrained. It is described as the most responsive and exciting Abarth 500 ever, but we’ve heard that somewhere before. The real question and the one of most interest to buyers, is what does this electrified pocket rocket bring to the table over the cheaper, donor Fiat 500e? There’s Abarth badges, bigger wheels and sports body kit, and a bit more poke of course . . . but it’s not all gelato and espresso. Abarth 500e is offered… Read more

FIAT BRINGS THE SWEET LIFE TO THE 500

Motoring enthusiasts rarely agree on anything but whenever the question, “What’s the world’s cutest ever car?” arises one name invariably makes the short list – the Fiat 500. In its current iconic form, the Fiat 500, appropriately nicknamed Bambino, as in baby, was introduced in 1957. Now, 66 years later, the just-released MY23 model, the Dolcevita – Italian for the sweet life, although several sizes larger, is clearly recognizable as a descendant. The Dolcevita first sold here in 2021 as a special edition but was subsequently added as a permanent… Read more

500e IS ABARTH’S FIRST-EVER ELECTRIC VEHICLE

Abarth, the high-performance arm of Italian carmaker Fiat, has unveiled details of its first-ever electric car. Due here late in 2023, the Abarth 500e is an enhanced version of the Fiat 500e which will arrive mid-year. The Abarth 500e will be powered by a front-mounted 114 kW / 235 Nm electric motor with a 42-kW battery pack pushing the little car from zero to 100 km/h in seven seconds. In a break from the normal silence that identifies all other electric vehicles Abarth has fitted an interesting piece of technology… Read more

FIAT’S FIRST FULL-ELECTRIC CAR DUE HERE SOON

Fiat Australia has released details of its first fully-electric car. Appropriately named ‘La Prima’, the 500e is a three-door hatchback with a perfect Italian heritage having been designed, engineered and manufactured at Fiat’s Turin headquarters. There’s even a lovely touch with an image of Turin’s skyline embossed on the wireless phone charging pad. Due for release here in mid-2023 and priced from $52,500 plus on-road costs, the 500e is an evolution of the original 1957 Fiat 500 with design cues that hark back to that much-loved ‘Nuova 500’. Having owned… Read more

FIAT FREEMONT 2013 – 2017

The Italian Fiat Freemont was introduced in Australia midway through 2013. Its shape was somewhere between that of a people mover and SUV so buyers looking for the tough look of a 4WD didn’t have the Freemont on their shopping list. The Fiat Freemont comes with five or seven seats. The second row of seats can slide forward by up to 100 mm for relatively easy access to the rearmost seats. Theatre-style seating in seven-seat Freemonts ensures pretty good visibility for all. Built-in booster seats for children are standard on… Read more