Fiat 500e Mirafiori, the special electric series in anticipation of the hybrid

Fiat 500e Mirafiori. A name that anticipates the reason for the birth of the new special series: to pay homage to the historic Mirafiori plant in Turin. After the doubts about the one million cars produced by Stellantis in Italy, the seizure of Topolino cars at the port of Livorno for the presence of the Italian flag despite production in Morocco, and the name change from Alfa Romeo Milano to Junior following requests from the Italian government, Fiat is once again turning the spotlight on Mirafiori with a special series and preparing for the future 500 hybrid built in the very plant that powered Italy.

Marketed from this summer exclusively in the Italian market, the 500e Mirafiori is offered in a cabrio version, with 42 kWh or 23.8 kWh batteries, in Celestial Blue colour. Equipment includes a level 2 assisted driving system, integrated navigation and a parking assistance system with 360° vision. In addition, relaxation is provided by premium soft-touch seats, a 10.25-inch touchscreen radio with integrated navigation, connected services, JBL's 320-watt premium audio system, full-Led headlamps, 16-inch burnished alloy wheels and chrome trim. The special edition features a newly designed chrome plaque on the rear window surrounds, showcasing the Mirafiori signature alongside the Turin skyline.

Olivier Francois, CEO of Fiat and Global Chief Marketing Officer of Stellantis, commented: 'Fiat is proud to be Italy's standard-bearer in the world. Italy is our foundation, our driving force and our future. And Mirafiori is one of our engines, representing Italy, its people, its values, its pride and the 500. But today, 90 per cent of Mirafiori's production is destined for foreign countries. To increase the number of 500s on Italian roads and respond to Italian customers, we have decided to produce the new 500 Hybrid, which has an Italian name, will be designed and engineered in Turin and proudly Made in Mirafiori. It is clear that Mirafiori plays a strategic role for the brand and we are continuing to invest in Italy, in the 500 and in Mirafiori.

The arrival of the Mirafiori version coincided with the announcement of new details on the future Fiat 500 Hybrid, expected in 2026 and built precisely on the basis of the electric 500. The reason for this project is linked to the exit from the scene of the current thermal 500, which from July is no longer saleable due to new regulations on Adas. While it was initially thought that it could be powered by the three-cylinder Puretech (of Psa origin) hybrid engine already fitted to many group models such as the Jeep Avenger, Opel Corsa and Lancia Ypsilon, the new 500 hybrid will be powered by the FireFly unit (codenamed GSE, which stands for Global Small Engine) that is being phased out in the Stellantis listings. No 48-volt hybridisation but 12-volt, a solution also less and less present on the market. All mounted on the platform of the current electric Fiat 500 (a unique Stellantis product) and not on the new STLA Small that will debut on the future Peugeot 208 or on the Smart car platform found on the new Citroen C3, Opel Frontera and future new Panda.