The
Fiat 500’s recent iteration went fully electric in 2021, with the top-tier
500 Icon model providing
a range of up to 198 miles (320 km) in the WLTP cycle, extendable to 285 miles (460 km) when exclusively used in urban settings. Nevertheless, Fiat did not end there. Now, alongside the traditional hatchback and cabriolet designs, the 500 is also obtainable with a 3+1 configuration featuring an additional rear-hinged door on the passenger side for effortless entry.
Mazda implemented this solution on its RX-8 sports car and, akin to the forthcoming MX-30 electric crossover, Fiat’s latest release is maximizing the space-saving technique.
Admittedly, the original Fiat 500, the
Nuova unveiled in 1957, also featured a pair of rear-hinged doors. This tradition persisted until 1965 with the 500 D, post which the 500 L series substituted its suicide doors with conventional front-hinged ones. Fiat asserts that the new 500 3+1 was developed with the supplementary door on the passenger side specifically for the urban parents, resulting in a novel body with unaltered dimensions and not a single inch added to its crucial compact footprint.
Fiat emphasizes that due to the absence of a central panel in the small door itself, this tertiary opening allows for more comfortable ingress, or convenient loading and unloading of bulky items. It also simplifies the process of placing your child in the rear seat or booster seat swiftly and straightforwardly. Fiat also highlights that once the petite door is shut, there is no discernible disparity from any other 500. You receive identical style and dimensions, with a marginal weight increase of merely 66 pounds that has no impact on the vehicle’s maneuverability or fuel efficiency.
Consistently, in the interest of safety, the diminutive third door can only be opened once the front door is ajar.
The inaugural phase of the 2021 Fiat 500 commences with the introductory models, including the 500 3+1 “la Prima.” Similar to the cabriolet and hatchback versions, three hues are on offer at launch: Rose Gold, Glacier Blue, and Onyx Black. These vehicles are also equipped with full LED headlights, dual-tone 17-inch diamond-cut wheel rims, and chrome-plated accents on the windows and side panels. The seats, dashboard, and two-toned steering wheel are upholstered in eco-friendly leather, with a focus on craftsmanship and sustainability.
Fiat’s emblem on the seats and a tag labeled “la Prima” on the center console. Standard comfort elements comprise front seats with six-way adjustability, floor mats, auto-dimming internal rearview mirror, and 360-degree parking sensors with a “drone view.” Fiat has also included a plethora of devices, commencing with automatic climate control, a portable pebble key, 85-kilowatt rapid charging, and an 11 kW Mode 3 cable for charging at home or in public. Additionally, its most advanced Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) comes as standard.
