When Fiat presented the new generation of its 500 in 2020, the manufacturer had been clear: this city car would enter the electric age, and it would have to be electric. there was absolutely no question of a hybrid version. Promise, swear. But the reality of the market decided otherwise. Faced with the collapse in sales of the electric 500 100 %Fiat had to rethink its plans. In 2024, the former CEO of Stellantis finally announced the arrival of a 500 hybrid based on the new STLA City platform..
Here we are in September 2025, and the first technical details of the Fiat 500 hybrid are now available. At first glance, one might be delighted: it's made in Italy, with an Italian engine, which sounds like a return to our roots, and at last some work for Italian workers. But on closer inspection, the specification sheet comes as a surprise... and not in a good way.
Receding data sheet
The comparison with the previous-generation 500 hybrid (produced in Tychy, Poland) hurts:
| Old Fiat 500 hybrid (2020) | New Fiat 500 hybrid (2025) | |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1.0L Firefly | 1.0L Firefly |
| Power | 70 hp | 65 ea. |
| Couple | 92 Nm | 92 Nm |
| 0 to 100 km/h | 13.8 sec | 16.2 sec |
| Maximum speed | 167 km/h | 155 km/h |
| CO₂ | 119-128 g/km | 120 g/km |
| Tank | 35 L | 37 L |
| Tare weight | 980 kg | 1066 kg |
| Mixed consumption | 5.3 to 5.7L/100 km | 5.3 L/100 km |
| Standard | Euro 6d | Euro 6e bis |
As a result, the new 500 hybrid loses 5 horsepower compared with the old model, while retaining the same torque. You might think the difference is insignificant, but in fact it takes more than two seconds longer to reach 100 km/h and loses more than 10 km/h in top speed.
And the most astonishing thing remains elsewhere: its CO₂ emissions. While the previous generation had between 119 and 128 g/km, the new one reaches 120 g/km. The same applies to fuel consumption, which hasn't improved.
Technical choices that raise questions
Why such a setback? Probably because of the new Fiat 500 platform, heavier than the old oneemissions standards. Fiat may well have had to restrict its engine in order to comply with these standards. The problem is that the result is a city car that's heavier, less efficient and, paradoxically, more fuel-hungry.
A paradox even more glaring when we recall the 500 TwinAir, offered a decade ago. Its 85hp turbo twin offered 145Nm of torque, and just 92g/km of CO₂. The 0 to 100 was announced in 11 sec. At the time, Fiat didn't hesitate to call its 500 "the world champion of ecology".
A new 500 hybrid with everything to prove
Fiat is banking on this new hybrid version to revive the career of its combustion-powered 500, but the gamble seems risky. On paper, launching a city car in 2025 that is less efficient than the previous generation seems hard to defend. Of course, there are positive points, such as a safer, more technologically advanced car than the old one. Finally, when customers arrive at the dealership to try out the 500 hybrid, they may well be tempted to leave... with the electric version.
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There's no denying that Fiat is one hell of a strategist! 😅
More like Stellantis. It's clear that this version of the 500 was made in a hurry to compensate for the fall of the electric version. And to drive the point home, it will be more expensive than the Grande Panda.
In my opinion, Fiat's engineers failed to develop the 1.0 l Firefly, which should have benefited from a 12-valve cylinder head, a small turbo for torque, at least 90 hp and an automatic gearbox,
Perhaps due to a lack of time or resources, this little 500 with a smile on its face would have deserved more attention from Stellantis.
In fairness no one is buying a 500 for how fast it gets to 100km/h or top speed (which is not relevant as the top speed cannot legally be done), its all about style, and the 500 still has it by the bucket load.
The Fiat 500e, which I've already rented several times, marks a quantum leap from the old Fiat 500 hybrid. In terms of finish and comfort, we've gone from a rather basic city car to one with a touch of luxury about it.
But the new 500 is heavier and less powerful, so there can be no miracle: its performance is in decline. We wonder why Fiat couldn't increase power while limiting CO2 emissions?
They would have been better off restyling the old car with the styling of the new one, while improving on what could be improved, instead of adapting the EV version to thermal. There would have been continuity in the range and it would no doubt have cost less in development and final cost to the buyer.
Those who are disappointed with this new internal combustion version won't go electric, as it's far too expensive for what it is, and its poor results are proof of that.
Stellantis' Italian brands are a real pain.
Der Absatz ist einfach nur weggebrochen, weil die staatliche Förderung wegfiel und das Auto mit 37.000 EUR viel zu teuer war.
Während der Förderung wurde es von Leasys zig tausendfach für um die 130 EUR/Monat im Leasing angeboten (ohne weitere Überführungskosten).
Der 500e selbst war super und hätte bei einem passenden Preis auch weiterhin Abnehmer gefunden.
Traurig was Fiat hier anbietet. Habe gehofft da kommt was gescheites auf den Markt.
Wir fahren seit nun 13 Jahren ein TwinAir 500 / 85 PS. Ein gigantisch gutes Auto in dieser Kombination.
Tut weh, wenn man liest was sich da für ein lame Kiste auf den Markt drängen will!
Patience, I'm not worried, it's already a good decision and good news because so many of us have been waiting for it in this body style and in a superb convertible! Fiat Italia is going to take it in hand more seriously and quickly with a peachy engine, and then it's going to be a hit!
Hi everyone!