In the United States, the Fiat Topolino is too slow for the road: the automaker is offering a free kit to make it faster

Last December, we announced that The Fiat Topolino was officially set to set out to conquer the United States. A few months later, the little Italian car arrived at dealerships across the U.S., with a particularly surprising price tag: $14,985. But Fiat found itself facing a rather amusing problem. In its stock configuration, the Topolino is… too slow to be classified as a slow-moving vehicle on U.S. roads. This paradoxical situation now forces Fiat to offer its U.S. customers a genuine speed-unlock kit free of charge.

30 to 40 km/h to be allowed on the road

The Fiat Topolino The model sold in the United States is initially limited to just 19 mph, or about 30 km/h (compared to 45 km/h for the European version). At this speed, it is impossible to take advantage of U.S. federal regulations regarding Low-Speed Vehicles (LSV). To qualify for this category, a four-wheeled vehicle must, among other things, be capable of exceeding 20 mph, but not exceed 25 mph (40 km/h).

Fiat has therefore come up with a solution that is unusual, to say the least: removing the speed limiter on its own car. A software update raises the top speed from 19 to 25 mph, or about 40 km/h. But increasing the speed isn’t enough. To qualify as a true LSV, the Topolino must also be equipped with a few additional features. The kit includes a rearview camera paired with a new screen built into the rearview mirror, an audible warning device for pedestrians, the various required regulatory markings, and, most importantly, a valid VIN number that allows the vehicle to be registered. The Topolino already comes standard with the other necessary equipment, such as turn signals, seat belts, lights, a horn, and a properly sized windshield.

Fiat even offers the removal of the speed limiter and its installation

Perhaps the most surprising thing is that Fiat has decided to cover the full cost of this conversion. The kit costs the owner nothing, and the company also reimburses dealers for the labor costs associated with its installation. «We pay for the kit, so we absorb that cost,» explains Andrew Waterhouse, head of Fiat USA. The goal is to give buyers the choice between a Topolino intended solely for private use and a version capable of being driven on certain public roads.

Because even with the speed limiter set to 40 km/h, the little Fiat obviously doesn’t become an American car like any other. Federal regulations specifically limit LSVs to roads with a maximum speed limit of no more than 35 mph, or about 56 km/h. And each state has its own rules: some, such as Delaware, Hawaii, Maryland, Missouri, and Rhode Island, even ban these vehicles from public roads.

A Topolino for nearly $15,000—but what's it for?

In fact, Fiat doesn’t seem to envision the Topolino replacing the American family car. With a range of about 46 miles—or 74 km—it’s aimed more at large hotel complexes, businesses, private estates, and especially certain residential communities in Florida or Arizona where golf carts are already ubiquitous.

The brand is proceeding cautiously: according to Andrew Waterhouse, the first shipment is expected to consist of only about 300 units. Fiat wants to gauge American demand first before considering larger production volumes. And the target customer base could be quite different from what we’re used to in Europe. Fiat says it has already heard of owners who want to customize their Topolino to match their Ferrari!