First spyshots of the Fiat 500 hybrid: it's still hiding something!

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While all the news from Fiat seems to have been concentrating on the new Grande Panda in recent months, another key model for the brand is quietly continuing its development. We're talking about the Fiat 500 hybrid, due to go on sale in the next few months. After the first official pre-series photos unveiled last MayHere are the first roadside spyshots, captured by GABETZspyUNIT. And there's still one intriguing detail.

A Fiat 500 that looks like a 500e

On the outside, the Fiat 500 Hybrid retains the design of the 500e 100 % Electric, with its compact proportions, neo-retro styling and rounded lines. However, one technical difference is noticeable at the front: an opening under the 500 logo, probably to cool the combustion engine. To date, this is the only visible change confirming that this is indeed a hybrid version.

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But it's not this detail that is attracting the most attention from observers...

Why hide the model name any longer?

As on the official pre-production shots published in May, the model name is obscured by black tape at the rear of the vehicle. At first glance, this may seem harmless. But at this stage of development, this camouflage raises a real question: is the Fiat 500 hybrid really going to be called the 500 Ibrida? Or the Fiat 500 Torino?

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This doubt has persisted since an announcement made in the summer of 2024 by Olivier François, CEO of Fiat. During a meeting with the mayor of Turin, the brand had announced its intention to name the hybrid version "Fiat 500 Torino".in homage to the town that will host it at its Mirafiori production facility. A symbolic strategy, which would strengthen the link between the brand, its historic territory and this key model (and ease tensions...).

But since then... radio silence. And the systematic presence of this cover on all prototypes seems to confirm that the final decision is not yet set, or at least not yet public.

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What we already know: production, engine, ambitions

As a reminder, Fiat has confirmed that the 500 Hybrid will be equipped with the 71 hp 1.0L GSE engine, the same as on the previous 500 Hybrid, which was produced in Poland. This choice definitively rules out the 1.2L PureTech engine, as some had once speculated. Series production is scheduled for November 2025, with targets ranging from 100,000 to 130,000 units per year, according to Stellantis' latest statement.

On the drive side, it will retain a 6-speed manual gearbox, with a slightly higher gearshift lever than the previous version. It will be designed primarily for city driving, with no sporting pretensions.

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Finally, the price is expected to be under €20,000, a positioning that could appeal to a wide audience looking for a modern yet affordable city car.

Verdict in a few months

For the time being, the Fiat 500 hybrid (or 500 Torino?) continues to be tested on the road, still partially camouflaged. But the fact that the name remains concealed fuels the suspense. Could the brand finally unveil a communications turnaround at the official presentation? In any case, Fiat seems to have a card up its sleeve.

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