First Drive: FIAT 600e delivers La Dolce Vita for style-conscious families

Expected to arrive in the UK in early 2024, the Fiat 600e electric offering from the renowned Italian automaker inherits evident design cues from its best-selling sibling, the 500e.

That iconic electric city car currently accounts for 60% of Stellantis' electric vehicle sales and now, building on their expertise in crafting compact cars, FIAT has tailored the 600e to provide a more family-friendly but still eminently stylish car.

Having already produced 23 million B-segment cars, FIAT set out to redefine this segment, enhancing the car's aerodynamics and extending its length by a metre compared to the 500e, earning it the moniker 'Super B'.

FIAT now aims to capture a significant share of the European market of around 4 million potential customers with this latest fully electric model. Designed to give five passengers a comfortable drive, it comes embellished with ‘La Dolce Vita’-inspired 'experiential' elements that underscore Fiat’s style heritage.

The FIAT 600e is available in two fully electric versions: FIAT 600e La Prima and FIAT 600e RED, with a hybrid version slated for 2024. Automotive Management had the opportunity to drive the pricier La Prima model on the city and rural roads of Turin.

It's reminiscent of the Cinquecento although offers far more space, accessibility and more sophisticated in-car tech in combination with impressive horsepower and economy, providing a range of 600 urban kilometres (375 miles) on a single charge.

In terms of comfort and practicality, the FIAT 600e retains the retro styling cues of the 500 series. However, at 4.7 metres in length and 1.78 metres in width, it moves into the compact SUV class.

The dashboard architecture is most definitely modelled on the new Jeep Avenger - another Stellantis 2023 launch model - with its simple, minimalistic design with a narrow-strip dashboard running the width of the vehicle.

The extensive use of hard plastic surfaces throughout the cabin may not take much rough handling, however. In fact, the only soft surface, AM could find was the covering of the steering wheel.

That could be an important factor depending on a family's lifestyle as scuffing ould be evident pretty quickly.

FIAT says the storage between the front seats - which includes wireless smartphone charging -  and door bins provide an extra 15 litres of useful space. However, the modest 360-litre boot falls well short of expectations for a compact SUV. Rear passenger space has improved, offering an extra 30mm of legroom compared to the 500e but could still prove challenge depending on the height of those travelling in the back.

In the La Prima version, cream synthetic leather upholstery embroidered in tuquoise complete with Fiat monograms, front seat lumbar support, electric adjustment, massage and heating functions all elevate the interior's luxury.

FIAT offers a limited range of vibrant colours inspired by Italian landscapes, further emphasizing the car's fun, dynamic, and stylish character. The RED version meanwhile is available in red, white, and black and featuries recycled fabric seats.

The 10.25-inch infotainment display, and digital gauges add a touch of modernity and tidiness and are straightforward to use while driving.

In terms of technology, FIAT has reproduced Stellantis’ e-CMP2 architecture for the Fiat 600e, which delivers decently average performance in terms of range for compact SUV in this class.

The use of that architecture does however mean that the 115 kW (154hp) electric motor has confirmed credentials and provides the power to allow the Fiat 600e to accelerate from 0-62 mph in nine seconds before reaching a top speed of 93mph – not as nippy as some compact SUV contenders but still worthy enough.

While Euro NCAP has yet to test the FIAT 600e, it does boast proven safety and assistance features, including level 2 assisted driving. Standard safety features include ABS, ESC, six airbags, Drowsy Driver Detection, Traffic Sign Information, Autonomous Emergency Brake (AEB), Vulnerable Road User (VRU) Protection, Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Intelligent Speed Assistant (ISA), and Emergency E-Call Assist.

The La Prima model additionally comes with front, side, and rear parking sensors, a 180° rearview camera, blind spot detection, and adaptive cruise control with 'level 2' autonomous driving capabilities.

In terms of range and handling, the Fiat 600e offers three driving modes - Eco, Normal, and Sport - allowing drivers to tailor performance to their needs.

The 54kWh battery pack provides a range of 250 miles on a combination of motorway and urban roads, or up to 372 miles in town using WLTP urban cycle metrics. Equipped with fast charging, the battery can be charged from 20% to 80% in just 27 minutes.

The FIAT 600e delivers a quiet and comfortable ride with its tweaked aerodynamics, reduced road and barely-there motor noise. The suspension, again adapted from the Jeep Avenger, handles uneven surfaces well, even at speed.

The car features a 10.5-metre turning circle which is eminently suitable for city driving, but the light steering may require getting used to. Regenerative braking is on the light side too, making one-pedal driving less practical.

In Sport mode, the car's stability control system prevents more spirited driving and exhibits a slight loss of traction, while the vehicle finds its true potential in Eco mode where range efficiency is prioritised.

In summary, the proven Stellantis platform underpinning the new FIAT 600e boasts quintessential Italian styling, most prominent in the pricier La Prima version. It excels in meticulous cabin detailing, although the rear boot and legroom in the back struggle to match other compact SUVs. The FIAT 600e delivers the expected performance of a medium-power petrol equivalent with all the predictable handling of a fully electric compact SUV.