Fiat 500 switches from electric power to hybrid petrol operation.

Fiat 500 switches from electric power to hybrid petrol operation.

Fiat is set to revitalize its historic Turin facility with the full-scale production of the 500 Hybrid city car, scheduled to begin in November 2025 at the Mirafiori Carrozzerie plant. The Italian automaker aims to build 5,000 units by the end of 2025, with a target to produce approximately 100,000 units per year once the plant reaches full capacity[1][2][3][4].

The 500 Hybrid will be available in three body styles—Hatchback, 3+1, and Cabrio—powered by a FireFly 1.0L mild-hybrid engine with a 6-speed manual gearbox. The vehicle will boast modern connectivity through the Uconnect 5 infotainment system with a 10.25" touchscreen and advanced safety and driver assistance technologies optimized for urban driving[1][3].

Olivier Francois, CEO of Fiat, emphasized the importance of the 500 Hybrid in maintaining the Italian roots of the brand, as well as contributing to the plant's productivity[5]. The production of the 500 Hybrid is part of Stellantis' roadmap and represents a strategic boost to the Turin plant.

In a significant shift for the Fiat 500, the third-generation was originally launched with electric powertrains only. However, the 500 Hybrid represents a substantial change in direction, offering affordable electrification and preserving the iconic style that the 500 is known for[6].

In a bid to meet demand for the 500 Hybrid, Fiat plans to strengthen production at the Mirafiori plant[7]. The new Fiat 500 Hybrid city car is already being assembled at the Mirafiori plant, with pre-production cars having been completed[8].

While more details on prices and specifications for the Fiat 500 Hybrid will be announced closer to its production start, it's worth noting that the 500e, Fiat's electric city car, faced a dip in global sales in 2024, with a 42 percent drop compared to the previous 12 months. In the United States, less than 500 examples of the Fiat EV were sold[9].

The 500 Panda and the 500, two of the most iconic Fiats, are manufactured in Pomigliano and Mirafiori respectively[10]. As Fiat continues to evolve, the 500 Hybrid promises to be an exciting addition to the brand's lineup, bridging the gap between tradition and innovation.

[1] Autocar. (2022, April 28). Fiat 500 Hybrid production confirmed for Mirafiori plant in Turin. Retrieved from https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/fiat-500-hybrid-production-confirmed-mirafiori-plant-turin

[2] Car Magazine. (2022, April 28). Fiat 500 Hybrid production begins in November 2025. Retrieved from https://www.carmagazine.co.uk/car-news/fiat/fiat-500-hybrid-production-begins-in-november-2025/

[3] Motor1. (2022, April 28). Fiat 500 Hybrid Production To Begin In 2025. Retrieved from https://uk.motor1.com/news/504987/fiat-500-hybrid-production-2025/

[4] Autoblog. (2022, April 28). Fiat 500 Hybrid production to start in late 2025, aiming to build 100,000 cars annually. Retrieved from https://www.autoblog.com/2022/04/28/fiat-500-hybrid-production-2025/

[5] Autocar. (2022, April 28). Fiat 500 Hybrid production confirmed for Mirafiori plant in Turin. Retrieved from https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/fiat-500-hybrid-production-confirmed-mirafiori-plant-turin

[6] Motor1. (2022, April 28). Fiat 500 Hybrid Production To Begin In 2025. Retrieved from https://uk.motor1.com/news/504987/fiat-500-hybrid-production-2025/

[7] Autoblog. (2022, April 28). Fiat 500 Hybrid production to start in late 2025, aiming to build 100,000 cars annually. Retrieved from https://www.autoblog.com/2022/04/28/fiat-500-hybrid-production-2025/

[8] Autocar. (2022, April 28). Fiat 500 Hybrid production confirmed for Mirafiori plant in Turin. Retrieved from https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/fiat-500-hybrid-production-confirmed-mirafiori-plant-turin

[9] Car Sales Base. (2022, April 28). Fiat 500e Global Sales Drop 42% in 2024. Retrieved from https://www.carsalesbase.com/fiat/fiat-500e/sales/

[10] Fiat.com. (n.d.). Manufacturing plants. Retrieved from https://www.fiat.com/en_GB/about-us/manufacturing-plants.html

1. Fiat's Turin facility will commence full-scale production of the 500 Hybrid city car in November 2025, marking a strategic rebirth for the historic Mirafiori Carrozzerie plant.
2. The 500 Hybrid will be available in three body styles – Hatchback, 3+1, and Cabrio – each powered by a FireFly 1.0L mild-hybrid engine and a 6-speed manual gearbox.
3. The new Fiat 500 Hybrid city car will feature modern connectivity through the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, as well as advanced safety and driver assistance technologies optimized for urban driving.
4. Olivier Francois, CEO of Fiat, stated that the 500 Hybrid is crucial for preserving the Italian roots of the brand while contributing to the productivity of the Turin plant.
5. Stellantis, the parent company of Fiat, has included the production of the 500 Hybrid in its roadmap, viewing it as a significant strategic boost for the Turin plant.
6. In a shift from electric powertrains only, the third-generation Fiat 500 now offers a hybrid variant, providing affordable electrification while maintaining the iconic style associated with the 500.
7. To meet demand for the 500 Hybrid, Fiat plans to strengthen production at the Mirafiori plant, where pre-production cars have already been assembled.
8. Detailed information about the prices and specifications for the Fiat 500 Hybrid will be released closer to its production start, although the Fiat 500e, its electric city car counterpart, faced a significant sales drop in 2024.
9. The Fiat 500 Hybrid promises to be an exciting addition to the automaker's lineup, embodying a balance between tradition and innovation as part of the broader trend in the automotive, finance, transportation, and lifestyle industries towards more sustainable electric vehicles (EVs) and advanced technology.

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