Fiat 600e in Blick test: This is the big brother of the electric 500 drivers

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“The world no longer needs gray cars,” says Fiat CEO Olivier François (62) in the newly released commercial for the 600e. François gets into a gray car that is lifted by a crane and dipped in a pot of orange paint. The mini SUV, which was only mouse gray, now shines bright red-orange; great marketing idea! We were even more surprised to find a gray test car among the red, orange and blue 600e at the driving event near Solothurn. Fiat spokesman Rafael Künzle explains: “This paint is not actually grey, its name is sand!” In sunlight, it looks more beige than gray to us. In wind and weather conditions the color is very similar to a grayish sky. It seems like Fiat will not be able to give up gray tones in the future.

Seicento visually resembles a larger Cinquecento; Fiat remains true to its iconic design with the 600e. The short 4.17-metre crossover sits in the B segment, offering five seats and 360 to 1231 liters of storage space. Inside we find a tidy cockpit with a 7-inch display on the instrument panel. There is a 10.25-inch touchscreen in the middle for infotainment. The top trim, “La Prima”, includes comfortable leather seats and an electrically adjustable driver’s seat with massage function. The base “Red” trim comes standard with cloth seats and red exterior paint.

Moving on with the 600e in sand color, not gray. The mobile phone can be connected via Bluetooth and used in the infotainment system via Apple Carplay or Android Auto. On top trim, navigation commands are even displayed on the speedometer. We change gear by pressing a button on the steering wheel; Although it may seem a little strange at first, we get used to it over time. The first thing we noticed is the steering, which is light and vague compared to its sister model, the Jeep Avenger. The 156 hp (115 kW) and 260 Nm electric motor at the front axle is certainly sufficient for fast city runs. The small electric car only becomes increasingly out of breath at higher speeds (0 to 100 km/h in 9.0 seconds).

The 600e weighs just 1,525 pounds; This is very little for an electric car. The low weight also contributes to low consumption: after our test drive on interurban roads, between cities and on motorways, the on-board computer showed 13.9 kWh/100 km. This means we even exceed the manufacturer’s specification of 15.1 kWh/100 km! Thanks to the recovery, which slows down in a way that’s not too jerky, especially in B mode. Also nice: The electric crossover robustly compensates for road irregularities. The assistance systems also have their plus points: although they are not very present, they are not annoying with constant beeps, like those of many other manufacturers.

According to the WLTP measurement cycle, the Italo-Stromer’s range is up to 409 kilometers; This figure is even higher in the city. However, anyone who dares to go on long journeys must allow more time: The 54 kWh battery can be charged with a maximum of 100 kW. This translates to a standby time of almost 30 minutes for the battery to charge from 20 percent to 80 percent. Especially since experience shows that you can achieve significantly less than the WLTP range on the highway and therefore get back to the charging station faster. We must also complain about the previously praised interior: it makes a pleasant impression, but it is made of too much plastic, especially in the basic version. So why can we only adjust the front passenger seat mechanically in the upper version?

If you liked the John Factor of the 500e but need more room, you’ll love the 600e. In daily use, the mini SUV impresses with its low consumption and range, but is only partially suitable for long highway journeys. If you travel away frequently, you can also get the 600 with mild hybrid drive from March. Improvements could be made to the Italo-Stromer in terms of charging speed and the number of driving assistants. Prices for the 600e start from 38,190 francs for the basic version and 44,190 francs for the top version. Even though gray is no longer available: Black and white are still available.

Source: Blick