New Fiat 500 3+1 joins the expanded electric range

The 500 family has grown. Having already seen the third generation of the model, offered exclusively with electric power in cabrio and hatchback body styles, Fiat has now introduced another variant. The new Fiat 500 3+1 stands apart from the rest through the addition of a small rear-hinged side door - à la the Mazda MX-30 or BMW i3 - fitted solely on the passenger side.

As with those models - and others… remember the Hyundai Veloster or the previous Mini Clubman? - there is no B-pillar, making access to the second row easier. Fiat says the arrangement is intended to meet the needs of 500 customers, particularly when placing a baby and its child seat inside.

The dimensions of the new Fiat 500 3+1 remain unchanged, although the third door adds 30 kg to the city car's weight. As with comparable designs, the front door must be opened before the rear door can be opened.

A more affordable Fiat 500

The new Fiat 500 3+1 was the major surprise at the official presentation of the complete new 500 range. Like the cabrio and hatchback, it will initially be launched as a special, limited "La Prima" version. However, the 500 3+1 was not the only new arrival.

Alongside the 3+1, the new generation of the Italian city car has gained an entry-level version, the Fiat 500 @Action.

Positioned as the entry-level model - with car-sharing services also in mind - the new 500 @Action uses a less powerful 95 hp (70 kW) electric motor; until now, the model had only been known with 118 hp. It also receives a lower-capacity 23.8 kWh battery, whereas the other versions use a 42 kWh unit.

Despite its lower output, it gives away only 0.5 seconds in the 0–100 km/h sprint compared with the 118 hp model, completing it in 9.0 seconds. Top speed, which is electronically limited in both cases, falls from 150 km/h to 135 km/h.

The smaller battery naturally affects driving range too. It is rated at 180 km on the WLTP combined cycle, or 240 km in urban use, rather than the 320 km claimed for 500 models with the 42 kWh battery. To ensure rapid recharging, however, the new 500 @Action is fitted with a 50 kW fast-charging system.

This entry-level version also comes as standard with a suite of driving assistance systems, from autonomous emergency braking capable of detecting pedestrians and cyclists to lane-keeping assistance.

For connectivity, there is a more affordable alternative to the new UConnect 5 infotainment system. It consists of a smartphone holder - which can be mounted vertically or horizontally - Bluetooth connectivity that can also link to the vehicle's sound system, and a dedicated app for interacting with the car.

Externally, the 500 @Action is identified by halogen headlamps and 15-inch wheels. Inside, its seats are trimmed in Seaqual - a fibre made from recycled plastic, some of which is collected from the oceans - with a specific geometric decorative pattern, while the dashboard is finished in black.

More Fiat 500 versions

In addition to the @Action, which is available exclusively with the 95 hp electric motor and 23.8 kWh battery, the new Fiat 500 range includes two further versions: @Passion and @Icon.

Both use the more powerful 118 hp motor and larger 42 kWh battery, officially delivering 320 km of range, or 460 km in urban driving. Each is equipped with an 85 kW fast-charging system, taking the battery from 0 to 80% of total capacity in 35 minutes.

Naturally, they also add more equipment. The 500 @Passion gains cruise control, the UConnect 5 infotainment system with a 7-inch screen, and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. In the 500 @Icon, the display grows to 10.25 inches and navigation is included; its combination of driving assistance systems also enables level 2 semi-autonomous driving, a first for the segment.

On the outside, the 500 @Passion features glossy two-tone 15-inch wheels. The interior is offered in two treatments: a dark setting with a black dashboard and Seaqual seats with silver stitching, or a light setting with a white dashboard and blue seats.

The 500 @Icon comes with 16-inch wheels and a lighter, brighter cabin, with the dashboard painted in the same colour as the bodywork. An optional "vegan" material, with a wood-effect texture, is available for the dashboard and steering wheel. Two trim colours can also be chosen: dark grey with copper-coloured accents, or light grey with blue flecks on selected details.

The 500 @Icon also receives a remote control - the key - resembling a river pebble. It has no buttons and allows access to the car, as well as starting it, without taking it out of a pocket.

When does it arrive?

For now, Fiat has not announced launch dates in Portugal for the new Fiat 500 3+1, cabrio and hatchback, nor has it confirmed their pricing.

Updated at 18:55 - The text contained errors that have been corrected.