Alexandre
It's a story worthy of a movie. The Fiat 500 could finally be given a new lease of life with the imminent arrival of a hybrid version made in Italy. Between the various statements made by Fiat executives and recent developments in the range, the project seems increasingly concrete.
The end of the 500 diesel and the drop in sales of the 500 electric
Currently produced in Poland, the combustion-powered Fiat 500 is nearing the end of its career. We had even 3 hypotheses for his future. At the same time, the electric version, albeit innovative, is not yet available, sees sales plummet in Europe. This background suggested that it was in Fiat's interest to launch its new Italian 500 with a hybrid combustion engine.
The letter to suppliers and the denial
Rumours of a Fiat 500 hybrid began to gather strength around 2 months ago. when a letter is sent to suppliers invited them to prepare for production of the new model in Italy. However, Fiat CEO Olivier François initially denied this information. In a recent interview, he stated that the Fiat 500 would henceforth only be available in an electric version :
"The Fiat 500 used to be a complete family, with the 500e, the ICE model, the 500L and the 500X. From now on, you'll only get the 500e."
Olivier François Fiat CEO
Despite this downsizing, François stressed his commitment to maintaining the 500e as an iconic electric model:
"We're very hesitant to add a mild hybrid [combustion engine] to the 500e family. It's probably something we won't do, because it makes so much sense as an electric vehicle, and we like the idea of our iconic model being electric."
Olivier François Fiat CEO
A turn of events
However, Olivier François has recently changed his tune. In a statement to the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, he confirmed that production of the Fiat 500 hybrid in Poland has ended and that the brand is actively working on transferring it to Italymore precisely at the Mirafiori plant in Turin.
"I can confirm that we're working on it, and it's a subject close to my personal heart. Production of the Fiat 500 hybrid in Poland has ended and we are working on building a new 500 hybrid in Turin, along with the 100 % electric variant."
Olivier François Fiat CEO
Fiat 500 hybrid and electric on the same base
According to Olivier François, Discussions are still underway within the Stellantis Group to finalize this project. The current platform of the 500 electric requires modifications to accommodate a combustion engine, a substantial investment but one that is necessary to maintain high production volumes and support the Italian automotive industry.
"There's a significant investment to be made because the electric 500's platform requires major modifications to accommodate a petrol engine. It's possible, but it takes time: production in Turin may not start before 2026."
Olivier François Fiat CEO
An opportunity for Mirafiori
The project to produce the 500 hybrid at Mirafiori would bring great benefits to the plant, with potential production of 100,000 Fiat 500 hybrids and 75,000 electrics per year. This would avoid temporary layoffs due to low demand for electric vehicles in Italy, where sales account for just 2 % of the market.
The 500 electric remains at the heart of our offer, a model that expresses all our values: style, durability and Made in Italy. However, the discontinuation of the 500 hybrid in Poland opens up new opportunities for Italian factories. The Fiat 500 is Italy, so it would make a great deal of emotional sense to bring all production back to Turin.
Olivier François Fiat CEO
Which engine? FireFly or Puretech?
Beyond this surprising turnaround in communications in the space of just a few days, Another question arises: which engine will power this future Fiat 500 thermal hybrid? We know that the current 500 electric was designed for a hybrid powertrainSo why not launch before 2026?
Is the reason for the delay that the 500 would switch from a Firefly engine to Puretech? From the point of view of Stellantis synergies, that would be rather logical. The 600 and the future Panda are equipped with this Puretech engine. So do the Alfa Romeo Milano and Lancia Ypsilon... And remember that Stellantis closed the Bielsko-Biała engine plant that produced the FireFly engine in early 2024... To be continued, 2026 is still a long way off!
One day yes, one day no. Fiat's management is as hesitant as a woman with a closet full of clothes who doesn't know what to wear.
They're flipping a coin? You get the impression they don't know where they're going.
All car brands are facing major uncertainties at the moment. The problem stems mainly from poor and contradictory communication... Moreover, this choice is only possible because the platform is designed for multi-energy, which is quite clever.
If Puretech, I'm out.
"Is the reason for the delay that the 500 would switch from a Firefly engine to Puretech?"
An insightful hypothesis, unfortunately...
Let's hope not Puretech, with all the "problems" .......
What a bunch of weathervanes! But how can we appear credible and serious under these conditions? When will we see a real direction and a return to authenticity? What an image of amateurism! What's more, they're going to sell him yet another Puretech engine! Waiting for it to materialize.... if it does materialize.... you never know with them.... what a waste of time !!!! It's heartbreaking!
is the firefly engine compatible with the new european standards?
Everyone in the comments is raving about the puretech engine, even though they don't have one. What's more, it was replaced in January 2024, so it's out of date.
Don't forget that every car brand once made a bad engine including BMW, JAGUAR, AUDI and MERCEDES, I'm not even talking about RANGE ROVER 😁😉
The problem isn't that you missed an engine, which can happen to anyone.
With Stellantis, the problem is that Tavares puts this failed engine in all his European models, including Italian ones, whereas the ex-FCA has some very good engines in its catalog. Not to mention the expertise, which is being squandered....
Yes, but I've had the opportunity to drive 208s and 308s with PureTechs several times, and I wasn't really enthusiastic about the PureTech. At best, I'd say it's a neutral engine that doesn't give off the slightest emotion.
Besides, class action suits for PureTech engine failures are nothing new.
Of course, all brands have made bad engines, but the worry is that Peugeot perseveres with the PureTech, to the point of putting it in all new Stellantis cars.
Nothing to see? Yes, it does.
Has the segmentation problem been solved?
The belt-driven version is no longer sold?
Has the chain version proved its worth?
As for the rest, having a problem engine(s) has happened to all brands, the worry is the reaction time and the lack of support. Ex-PSA has made a mockery of its customers and continues to sell the old version (with wet belt).
Ja...endlich. Verbrenner sind aber leider nur für die nächsten paar Jahre noch gut und dann? Man verschläft weiterhin die Entwicklung zum E-Auto, hat keine eigene Batterietechnologie, keine eigene Softwareentwicklung, kein Ladenetzwerk, keine know how in House - ist bei vielen Komponenten nur von Zulieferern abhängig und verpennt unterm Strich die Zukunft. Ob das so clever ist? Die Zeit wird es zeigen.
So lange man es nicht begreift, dass es für ein konkurrenzfähiges E-Auto ein hochmodernes und hochautomatisiertes Werk, eine konsequente E-Auto-Plattform (Skateboard) und gute Softwareentwicklung im Konzern benötigt - was in der Stellantis-Gruppe sicher möglich wäre - wird nie ein gutes E-Auto das Werk verlassen mit dem man Geld verdient. Das zu verstehen ist bisher kaum einem Autobauer der alten Generation gelungen. Und mit jedem verstrichenen Jahr wächst die Konkurrenz in Fernost voran, wird stärker und stärker und in Europa klammern wir uns an den Verbrenner. Well done!