Chrysler Group LLC took a small step in the direction of electrification this week, rolling out a battery-powered, mini-compact hatchback. The Fiat 500e is the first electric vehicle introduced by Chrysler since the company discontinued production of the Dodge EPIC minivan (which was sold only to fleets) in 1999, and the first electric production car in its 87-year history.
"It's an electric vehicle that doesn't act like an electric appliance," said Olivier Francois, chief marketing officer of Chrysler LLC and Fiat Automobiles, during the vehicle's streamed introduction from the Los Angeles Auto Show. "It brings beauty to the world of electric vehicles -- Italian design, legendary heritage, and an electric powerplant."
Click on the image below to see the Fiat 500e.
A "retro-futuristic design" includes seven-inch thin film transistor displays in the instrument cluster to illustrate vehicle functions, charge levels, and trip summaries. (Source: Chrysler Group)
The new Fiat will feature an all-electric driving range of 80 miles, along with an estimated 108MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent) fuel efficiency. Powered by a 111hp permanent magnet electric motor, the vehicle will hit a top speed of 85mph. Its 24kWh lithium-ion battery is similar in capacity to that of the well-known Nissan Leaf electric car, and it can be charged in approximately four hours at 240V. The liquid-cooled battery pack and the electric motor are supplied by Bosch Automotive.
Chrysler said the vehicle will be sold only in California for now, but added that it is not a so-called "compliance car," aimed at satisfying the requirements of California's zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate. "Obviously, there is a mandate," Chrysler spokesman Jiyan Cadiz told Design News. "But for us, it's more important than that. It's the first time we're doing an electric vehicle, so it's our chance to gain competency and show that we can do it." Cadiz added that the vehicle program gives Chrysler engineers an opportunity to develop expertise in EV batteries and electric powertrains.
Up until this week's introduction of the Fiat 500e, Chrysler executives have publicly resisted any suggestion of widespread electrification of the company's vehicle line. "I'm not scared, I just won't do it," said Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne, referring to electrification, in an interview with Automobile Magazine in July 2012. "I just will not do it. I think we're smoking illegal materials if we think we're going to make those [profitably]. It just won't work."
Industry analysts said Marchionne's earlier comments are one of several indications that the 500e's main role is to meet California's ZEV standards. "It's definitely a compliance vehicle," Kevin See, an industry analyst for Lux Research Inc., told Design News. "I wouldn't expect many to be sold."
Still, Chrysler said the vehicle's development involved a significant engineering effort. The technical staff employed 140 hours of wind tunnel testing to deliver a 13 percent aerodynamics improvement (0.311 coefficient of drag) over its conventionally powered 2013 Fiat 500. By doing so, it added five miles of all-electric range.
Chrysler also pointed to the vehicle's high-tech interior as an example of the technology that's going into the 500e. The interior includes seven-inch thin-film transistor instrument cluster displays, navigation system, power-flow gauges, and an electronic shifter with pushbutton transmission mode selection. "It's a great canvas," Cadiz told us, referring to the company's Cinquecento lineup, which includes the 500e. "It's the perfect car for us to do electric."
Nobody seems to get the point that if this is "a learning exercise" for Chrysler engineers, then how many potential customers will pay good money to become a guinea pig or lab rat? I vividly remember the "second generation" Fiat 500 Nuovo from the late '50s. A truly wretched tiny car (actually an enclosed motorcycle, 2-seater with 1.5 HP 2-cylinder air-cooled engine complete with a cable clutch). Topped out at 59mph with a strong tailwind and a 100 lb. driver!
Yes, the problem with Fiat is that they - look like a Fiat. I think their style designers have found the fountain of youth or something - they are still there after 113? years.
Here is what the Detroit Press posted this morning for November Gains:
Chrysler ^ 14.4% // 10.7%
Ford ^ 6.4% // 15.5%
GM Co. ^ 3.4% // 16.3%
Remember when it was 50%, 25%, 13% ? It was that way for years.
Chrysler will exceed their prior place because of great product.
Did you watch the Superbowl?
Oliver Fracois pulled it off 2 times in a row. Need an imported car to show your "sophistication"? Think Detroit.
Sergio and his team know Precisely what they are doing and it is interesting and delightful.
The Fiat is genetically Italian and you'd be surprised about the beautiful, sophisticatd women who love them and their kikkyness. And if you have seen an original 500, these are giants. My neighbor has 2, red and yellow.
If the Chrysler chief's statement "It's an electric vehicle that doesn't act like an electric appliance" is true, how come the controls look like those of a blender?
"retro-futuristic design"? Does a picture of George Jetson come standard, or is that an option? Holy cow.
My son just came from the LA auto show yesterday with camera pics of cars like a stunning new Lexus electric and the sexy BMW i8 hybrid. And Chrysler introduces this? I'm underwhelmed. I've seen cuter zits on a hog. The Fiat 500 itself looks like someone did a poor job of photoshopping the BMW Mini. Then they brag about time in a wind tunnel... What direction did the wind blow, I wonder?
Unless the car's price tag is going to be somewhere around free, I'll pass. We've already got an electric skateboard.
GT, I think you've pegged it. At least for now, the 500e appears to be a compliance car. It is also most likely a learning excercise. A necessary, but unprofitable step on the road to the future. I doubt they expect to sell more than a handful of cars. Perhaps a totally new EV design is in the works at Fiat.
First, I'm not buying your comments and the contrarian view today would be one arguing in favor of electric given the environmental ignorance being perpetrated on the public by big financial interests. Even if you deny climate change effects, when you flush your toilet the waste doesn't go into the river. It's processed. The same should be true with regard to what we do with the air. It's part of the commons and unless you manufacture your own, conserving the quality is a TRUE conservative position!
Second, the bottom line is one of matching the application coupled with high volume production. You match the car to your need and high volume production will reduce the price. It's simple and has been demonstrated ad nauseum!
The value and success will depend on the price. If it was priced commensurate with a no-frills economy car, then it might have a chance. As a $40K or whatever showroom ornament and enviro-weenie status symbol, it's DOA.
If it's like any other BEV out there today, the CEO is only half lying. It's a compliance car *and* it will never turn a profit.
GT, oho, they are introducing the vehicle only to CA market. Any idea, when they are planning to introduce to other US markets. I think, they are introducing only a limited edition to CA for a market review or to collect user feedbacks.
Charles, finally Fiat also joints with the EV sector by introducing Fiat 500e. Any test drive result data sheet is available for reference. What about the market opinion and how fiat is distinguishing their product from other competitors.
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