Latest news with #500Hybrid
The Sun
20-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
Fiat revives petrol appeal with manual 500 hybrid After EV Misstep
FIAT is preparing to reintroduce a petrol-powered version of its iconic city car, the 500, this time blending a mild-hybrid powertrain with a six-speed manual gearbox. Recently released teaser images reveal a traditional gear shifter positioned in the familiar retro-themed interior, marking a return to basics that Fiat hopes will resonate with buyers seeking charm, efficiency, and affordability over outright performance. The upcoming 500 Hybrid will be powered by a modest 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine, paired with mild-hybrid technology, delivering approximately 69hp. While modest in output, the emphasis of this model lies not in speed but in its accessible nature–a clear shift from the more premium electric 500e, which has struggled to capture a significant share of the European market. This new version of the 500 has a somewhat unconventional origin. Fiat originally engineered the latest 500 platform exclusively for electric power, creating the 500e with the aim of embracing the EV transition. However, with lukewarm reception and slow sales of the all-electric model, exacerbated by frequent pauses in production, the brand found itself needing to pivot. In response to consumer hesitation over full electrification, Fiat opted to reconfigure the 500e's platform to support an internal combustion engine. This reverse engineering process required adjustments to the chassis to house a petrol motor and the associated cooling systems. Visually, the most significant change is the addition of a functional front grille, necessary for engine cooling, which breaks slightly from the smoother, grille-less front end of the EV. Otherwise, the 500 Hybrid remains true to the modern, minimalist aesthetic introduced by its electric counterpart. Fiat's latest move signals a recognition that not all consumers are ready to abandon petrol just yet. By offering a familiar, manual-equipped city car with mild-hybrid efficiency, the company hopes to reconnect with traditional buyers who found the electric 500e either too costly or restrictive. The 500 Hybrid serves as a bridge between Fiat's EV ambitions and the enduring demand for accessible petrol mobility.
Miami Herald
18-05-2025
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Fiat's New Hybrid 500 Will Get a Manual Transmission
Fiat is doing something unusual: pairing a hybrid powertrain with a six-speed manual transmission. Official teaser images of the upcoming 500 Hybrid show a slick black shifter inside the familiar retro-styled cabin. The transmission is expected to be connected to a 1.0-liter three-cylinder mild-hybrid engine, likely borrowed from the Fiat Pandina. That engine only makes around 69 horsepower - similar to the previous gas-powered 500 that went off sale last year - but the appeal here isn't outright speed. That appeal rests within the 500's charm, efficiency, and affordability. Fiat's goal isn't to build a hot hatch; it's to bring back an accessible, gas-powered option for buyers who found the electric 500e either too expensive or too limiting. Ironically, Fiat had to reverse-engineer this version of the 500. The 500 Hybrid is based on the same architecture as the 500e, which was initially developed to be electric-only, but after the 500e failed to gain traction in Europe, Fiat was forced to rethink its approach. Slow sales and repeated production pauses signaled that the brand needed to meet buyers where they were, particularly those not yet ready to go full EV. That meant redesigning parts of the EV's platform to accommodate a small engine and the cooling systems that come with it. The only major visual change is a functional front grille added for the hybrid's cooling needs. Otherwise, the car retains its clean, electric-era styling. Fiat CEO Olivier François summed it up clearly: "500 Hybrid offers affordable electrification and iconic style, proof that social relevance is at the core of the brand mission." Translation: the 500e's pricing and EV-only setup weren't aligned with its traditionally budget-conscious buyers, and the new hybrid version is meant to fix that. The move also helps Fiat stay competitive in a segment that still values manual transmissions, particularly in European markets, where drivers are more accustomed to shifting gears themselves. The brand hopes that this blend of modern tech and old-school feel will help bring customers back. For now, the 500 Hybrid is a Europe-only affair. That may frustrate American fans of small, engaging city cars, especially after the 500e finally arrived in the U.S. in 2024. There's been no announcement of a stateside release for the hybrid, but given the buzz it's generating, Fiat could reconsider. Meanwhile, the Abarth performance version of the 500 will remain EV-only. Fiat says the hybrid engine simply doesn't deliver enough power for the Scorpion-badged hot hatch. Still, the regular 500 Hybrid seems to have struck a balance between nostalgia and necessity, one that might just be what Fiat needed all along. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Scottish Sun
13-05-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Iconic car loved by UK drivers is reinvented as hybrid boasting 6-speed gearbox, huge storage cubby & swish front grille
Scroll down to see the prototype OLD FAVOURITE Iconic car loved by UK drivers is reinvented as hybrid boasting 6-speed gearbox, huge storage cubby & swish front grille AN ICONIC car brand has revealed the first look of its new hybrid model set to start production later this year. Fiat's new 500 Hybrid has been revealed through photographs of a group of pre-release prototypes. 4 FIAT assembled the first pre-production units of the New 500 Hybrid at their Mirafiori plant in Turin Credit: PA 4 The new Fiat 500 has been spotted with a manual gear box Credit: PA 4 The current phase marks a crucial step in the model's industrialisation process Credit: stellantis /Fiat It looks almost identical to the electric 500e, but with a reworked front grille that can feed more air to a petrol engine. It includes an overhauled interior and six-speed manual gearbox. On the inside, the dashboard features a larger and squarer storage cubby compared to previous versions. The gearlever and steering wheel have also been elevated. This marks an important milestone for the new Fiat model's industrialisation process, on track to begin production by November this year. On top of that, there is an estimated target to produce over 100,000 units of the hybrid 500 per year at full capacity. Olivier Francois, FIAT CEO and Stellantis Global CMA, said: "With the 500 Hybrid, we are strengthening production at Mirafiori to ensure the plant's productivity and meet the demand. "Our roots are in Italy and it's no coincidence that the two most iconic FIAT are made here: the Panda in Pomigliano and the 500 in Mirafiori." He highlighted the affordable, electric and iconic nature of the new model. The move to retrofit an electric car with a combustion engine has been considered unprecedented in the European car industry. Fiat 500e production paused Additionally, presence of a manual gearbox means the 1.2-litre three-cylinder mild-hybrid Puretech engine that is used in a range of models is not offered. However, ambitions were a result of two key challenges that came from a report in March 2024. One was that Fiat needed to up production rates at its Mirafiori factory, due to slow sales of the 500e and its Abarth 500e hot hatch, which stopped production several times last year. It also ended production of the old petrol 500, which brought a majority of the 500 sales, due to new EU legislation on cybersecurity. The 500 Hybrid therefore hopes to boost production at Mirafiori to "ensure the plant's productivity" with its new hybrid-equipped engined cars. Francois added Fiat's shift towards EVs and hybrids is "proof that social relevance is at the core of the brand mission." The company's design, production, and innovation in Italy demonstrates its commitment to continuing a story of local roots meeting global vision.
The Irish Sun
13-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Iconic car loved by UK drivers is reinvented as hybrid boasting 6-speed gearbox, huge storage cubby & swish front grille
AN ICONIC car brand has revealed the first look of its new hybrid model set to start production later this year. Fiat's new 500 Hybrid has been revealed through photographs of a group of pre-release prototypes. 4 FIAT assembled the first pre-production units of the New 500 Hybrid at their Mirafiori plant in Turin Credit: PA 4 The new Fiat 500 has been spotted with a manual gear box Credit: PA 4 The current phase marks a crucial step in the model's industrialisation process Credit: stellantis /Fiat It looks almost identical to the It includes an overhauled interior and six-speed manual gearbox. On the inside, the dashboard features a larger and squarer storage cubby compared to previous versions. The gearlever and steering wheel have also been elevated. Read More Motors News This marks an important milestone for the new On top of that, there is an estimated target to produce over 100,000 units of the hybrid 500 per year at full capacity. Olivier Francois, FIAT CEO and Stellantis Global CMA, said: "With the 500 Hybrid, we are strengthening production at Mirafiori to ensure the plant's productivity and meet the demand. "Our roots are in Italy and it's no coincidence that the two most iconic FIAT are made here: the Panda in Pomigliano and the 500 in Mirafiori." Most read in Motors He highlighted the affordable, electric and iconic nature of the new model. The move to retrofit an electric car with a combustion engine has been considered unprecedented in the European car industry. Fiat 500e production paused Additionally, presence of a manual gearbox means the 1.2-litre three-cylinder However, ambitions were a result of two key challenges that came from a report in March 2024. One was that Fiat needed to up production rates at its It also ended production of the old petrol 500, which brought a majority of the 500 sales, due to new EU legislation on cybersecurity. The 500 Hybrid therefore hopes to boost production at Mirafiori to "ensure the plant's productivity" with its new hybrid-equipped engined cars. Francois added Fiat's shift towards EVs and hybrids is "proof that social relevance is at the core of the brand mission." The company's design, production, and innovation in Italy demonstrates its commitment to continuing a story of local roots meeting global vision. 4 Fiat's hybrid 500 has an estimated target of over 100,000 units per year Credit: stellantis /Fiat
The Advertiser
13-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Advertiser
2026 Fiat 500 Hybrid revealed for city car fans who don't want EVs or automatics
The 2026 Fiat 500 Hybrid has been revealed – with a manual transmission – but the Italian brand's first new-generation petrol-powered city car in 18 years is yet to be confirmed for release in Australia, where the old Fiat 500 was axed last year due to slow sales. Based on the much newer Fiat 500e electric hatch released in 2023, the first Fiat 500 Hybrid looks identical to the pint-size electric hatch apart from a revised grille (covered in camo wrap on the pre-production vehicles you see here) to direct air to its petrol-electric powertrain. There's also a capless fuel filler to replace the Fiat 500e's rear-quarter charging port. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. It's unclear exactly which electrified petrol engine will power the new Fiat 500, but it's expected to be the same 1.0-litre three-cylinder mild-hybrid Firefly unit seen in the old Fiat Panda, and overseas versions of the Fiat 500 since 2020. The appearance of a six-speed manual gear selector in these images rules out the 1.2-litre three-cylinder mild-hybrid Puretech engine employed by a variety of Stellantis models including the new Fiat Grande Panda, which is fitted only with a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Fiat says production of the 500 Hybrid is on target to begin at its Mirafiori plant outside Turin in November, ahead of first deliveries across Europe. Once at full capacity, annual production is expected to be more than 100,000 units, with at least 70 per cent of that due to be exported outside Italy. Fiat's unprecedented move to retrofit a battery-electric vehicle (EV) with a combustion engine not only gives it a replacement for the 17-year-old Fiat 500 that was discontinued to due EU cybersecurity legislation, but increases the output of its Mirafiori factory amid slow sales of the 500e and its Abarth 500e hot hatch sister model, production of which was paused to meet demand last year. "500 hybrid offers affordable electrification and iconic style, proof that social relevance is at the core of the brand mission," said Fiat CEO and Stellantis Global CMO, Olivier Francois. "With the 500 Hybrid, we are strengthening production at Mirafiori to ensure the plant's productivity and meet the demand. Our roots are in Italy and it's no coincidence that the two most iconic Fiat are made here: the Panda in Pomigliano and the 500 in Mirafiori." Previously, Fiat said it would also invest €100 million (A$173.7m) into future development the 500e, including a redesigned platform to accommodate new battery technologies that aim to improve its affordability. An upgraded version of the 500e is therefore expected around 2026. While the Fiat 500 was discontinued in Australia in mid-2024, when further imports of the petrol-powered micro-car ceased, some MY24 stock remains available. Powered by a 1.2-litre petrol engine producing 51kW of power and 102Nm of torque, the Fiat 500 Dolcevita can still be had for $28,900 before on-road costs, while the Abarth 695 remains available from $38,900, powered by a 132kW/250Nm 1.4-litre petrol four. But when stocks are exhausted, Fiat Australia's only models will be the Ducato van, the Fiat 500e La Prima with an 87kW/220Nm electric motor for $52,500 plus on-roads, and the Abarth 500e with a 134kW/235Nm electric motor, priced from $58,900. Fiat Australia sold 146 Fiat/Abarth 500/500e vehicles in the first third of this year, down 22 per cent on the same January-April period last year. MORE: Everything Fiat 500 Content originally sourced from: The 2026 Fiat 500 Hybrid has been revealed – with a manual transmission – but the Italian brand's first new-generation petrol-powered city car in 18 years is yet to be confirmed for release in Australia, where the old Fiat 500 was axed last year due to slow sales. Based on the much newer Fiat 500e electric hatch released in 2023, the first Fiat 500 Hybrid looks identical to the pint-size electric hatch apart from a revised grille (covered in camo wrap on the pre-production vehicles you see here) to direct air to its petrol-electric powertrain. There's also a capless fuel filler to replace the Fiat 500e's rear-quarter charging port. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. It's unclear exactly which electrified petrol engine will power the new Fiat 500, but it's expected to be the same 1.0-litre three-cylinder mild-hybrid Firefly unit seen in the old Fiat Panda, and overseas versions of the Fiat 500 since 2020. The appearance of a six-speed manual gear selector in these images rules out the 1.2-litre three-cylinder mild-hybrid Puretech engine employed by a variety of Stellantis models including the new Fiat Grande Panda, which is fitted only with a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Fiat says production of the 500 Hybrid is on target to begin at its Mirafiori plant outside Turin in November, ahead of first deliveries across Europe. Once at full capacity, annual production is expected to be more than 100,000 units, with at least 70 per cent of that due to be exported outside Italy. Fiat's unprecedented move to retrofit a battery-electric vehicle (EV) with a combustion engine not only gives it a replacement for the 17-year-old Fiat 500 that was discontinued to due EU cybersecurity legislation, but increases the output of its Mirafiori factory amid slow sales of the 500e and its Abarth 500e hot hatch sister model, production of which was paused to meet demand last year. "500 hybrid offers affordable electrification and iconic style, proof that social relevance is at the core of the brand mission," said Fiat CEO and Stellantis Global CMO, Olivier Francois. "With the 500 Hybrid, we are strengthening production at Mirafiori to ensure the plant's productivity and meet the demand. Our roots are in Italy and it's no coincidence that the two most iconic Fiat are made here: the Panda in Pomigliano and the 500 in Mirafiori." Previously, Fiat said it would also invest €100 million (A$173.7m) into future development the 500e, including a redesigned platform to accommodate new battery technologies that aim to improve its affordability. An upgraded version of the 500e is therefore expected around 2026. While the Fiat 500 was discontinued in Australia in mid-2024, when further imports of the petrol-powered micro-car ceased, some MY24 stock remains available. Powered by a 1.2-litre petrol engine producing 51kW of power and 102Nm of torque, the Fiat 500 Dolcevita can still be had for $28,900 before on-road costs, while the Abarth 695 remains available from $38,900, powered by a 132kW/250Nm 1.4-litre petrol four. But when stocks are exhausted, Fiat Australia's only models will be the Ducato van, the Fiat 500e La Prima with an 87kW/220Nm electric motor for $52,500 plus on-roads, and the Abarth 500e with a 134kW/235Nm electric motor, priced from $58,900. Fiat Australia sold 146 Fiat/Abarth 500/500e vehicles in the first third of this year, down 22 per cent on the same January-April period last year. MORE: Everything Fiat 500 Content originally sourced from: The 2026 Fiat 500 Hybrid has been revealed – with a manual transmission – but the Italian brand's first new-generation petrol-powered city car in 18 years is yet to be confirmed for release in Australia, where the old Fiat 500 was axed last year due to slow sales. Based on the much newer Fiat 500e electric hatch released in 2023, the first Fiat 500 Hybrid looks identical to the pint-size electric hatch apart from a revised grille (covered in camo wrap on the pre-production vehicles you see here) to direct air to its petrol-electric powertrain. There's also a capless fuel filler to replace the Fiat 500e's rear-quarter charging port. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. It's unclear exactly which electrified petrol engine will power the new Fiat 500, but it's expected to be the same 1.0-litre three-cylinder mild-hybrid Firefly unit seen in the old Fiat Panda, and overseas versions of the Fiat 500 since 2020. The appearance of a six-speed manual gear selector in these images rules out the 1.2-litre three-cylinder mild-hybrid Puretech engine employed by a variety of Stellantis models including the new Fiat Grande Panda, which is fitted only with a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Fiat says production of the 500 Hybrid is on target to begin at its Mirafiori plant outside Turin in November, ahead of first deliveries across Europe. Once at full capacity, annual production is expected to be more than 100,000 units, with at least 70 per cent of that due to be exported outside Italy. Fiat's unprecedented move to retrofit a battery-electric vehicle (EV) with a combustion engine not only gives it a replacement for the 17-year-old Fiat 500 that was discontinued to due EU cybersecurity legislation, but increases the output of its Mirafiori factory amid slow sales of the 500e and its Abarth 500e hot hatch sister model, production of which was paused to meet demand last year. "500 hybrid offers affordable electrification and iconic style, proof that social relevance is at the core of the brand mission," said Fiat CEO and Stellantis Global CMO, Olivier Francois. "With the 500 Hybrid, we are strengthening production at Mirafiori to ensure the plant's productivity and meet the demand. Our roots are in Italy and it's no coincidence that the two most iconic Fiat are made here: the Panda in Pomigliano and the 500 in Mirafiori." Previously, Fiat said it would also invest €100 million (A$173.7m) into future development the 500e, including a redesigned platform to accommodate new battery technologies that aim to improve its affordability. An upgraded version of the 500e is therefore expected around 2026. While the Fiat 500 was discontinued in Australia in mid-2024, when further imports of the petrol-powered micro-car ceased, some MY24 stock remains available. Powered by a 1.2-litre petrol engine producing 51kW of power and 102Nm of torque, the Fiat 500 Dolcevita can still be had for $28,900 before on-road costs, while the Abarth 695 remains available from $38,900, powered by a 132kW/250Nm 1.4-litre petrol four. But when stocks are exhausted, Fiat Australia's only models will be the Ducato van, the Fiat 500e La Prima with an 87kW/220Nm electric motor for $52,500 plus on-roads, and the Abarth 500e with a 134kW/235Nm electric motor, priced from $58,900. Fiat Australia sold 146 Fiat/Abarth 500/500e vehicles in the first third of this year, down 22 per cent on the same January-April period last year. MORE: Everything Fiat 500 Content originally sourced from: The 2026 Fiat 500 Hybrid has been revealed – with a manual transmission – but the Italian brand's first new-generation petrol-powered city car in 18 years is yet to be confirmed for release in Australia, where the old Fiat 500 was axed last year due to slow sales. Based on the much newer Fiat 500e electric hatch released in 2023, the first Fiat 500 Hybrid looks identical to the pint-size electric hatch apart from a revised grille (covered in camo wrap on the pre-production vehicles you see here) to direct air to its petrol-electric powertrain. There's also a capless fuel filler to replace the Fiat 500e's rear-quarter charging port. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. It's unclear exactly which electrified petrol engine will power the new Fiat 500, but it's expected to be the same 1.0-litre three-cylinder mild-hybrid Firefly unit seen in the old Fiat Panda, and overseas versions of the Fiat 500 since 2020. The appearance of a six-speed manual gear selector in these images rules out the 1.2-litre three-cylinder mild-hybrid Puretech engine employed by a variety of Stellantis models including the new Fiat Grande Panda, which is fitted only with a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Fiat says production of the 500 Hybrid is on target to begin at its Mirafiori plant outside Turin in November, ahead of first deliveries across Europe. Once at full capacity, annual production is expected to be more than 100,000 units, with at least 70 per cent of that due to be exported outside Italy. Fiat's unprecedented move to retrofit a battery-electric vehicle (EV) with a combustion engine not only gives it a replacement for the 17-year-old Fiat 500 that was discontinued to due EU cybersecurity legislation, but increases the output of its Mirafiori factory amid slow sales of the 500e and its Abarth 500e hot hatch sister model, production of which was paused to meet demand last year. "500 hybrid offers affordable electrification and iconic style, proof that social relevance is at the core of the brand mission," said Fiat CEO and Stellantis Global CMO, Olivier Francois. "With the 500 Hybrid, we are strengthening production at Mirafiori to ensure the plant's productivity and meet the demand. Our roots are in Italy and it's no coincidence that the two most iconic Fiat are made here: the Panda in Pomigliano and the 500 in Mirafiori." Previously, Fiat said it would also invest €100 million (A$173.7m) into future development the 500e, including a redesigned platform to accommodate new battery technologies that aim to improve its affordability. An upgraded version of the 500e is therefore expected around 2026. While the Fiat 500 was discontinued in Australia in mid-2024, when further imports of the petrol-powered micro-car ceased, some MY24 stock remains available. Powered by a 1.2-litre petrol engine producing 51kW of power and 102Nm of torque, the Fiat 500 Dolcevita can still be had for $28,900 before on-road costs, while the Abarth 695 remains available from $38,900, powered by a 132kW/250Nm 1.4-litre petrol four. But when stocks are exhausted, Fiat Australia's only models will be the Ducato van, the Fiat 500e La Prima with an 87kW/220Nm electric motor for $52,500 plus on-roads, and the Abarth 500e with a 134kW/235Nm electric motor, priced from $58,900. Fiat Australia sold 146 Fiat/Abarth 500/500e vehicles in the first third of this year, down 22 per cent on the same January-April period last year. MORE: Everything Fiat 500 Content originally sourced from:
