Fiat 500 Electric price and specifications announced

Fiat has revealed that its new 500 Electric will cost from £19,995 when it arrives in the UK early next year.

The compact EV is Fiat’s first-all electric model and is an all-new replacement for its popular retro-styled city car, updating the styling while retaining a clear link to its predecessor.

Available in three trims, the 500 Electric will also be offered with two different motor and battery specifications and in hatchback or cabrio body styles. It goes up against the Honda e, Skoda Citigo iV, Volkswagen e-Up and the Smart EQ ForTwo.

Entry-level Action trim starts at £19,995 (inclusive of the Government’s £3,000 plug-in car grant) and is available exclusively as a hatchback. The Action’s 70kW (99bhp) motor will allow it to reach 62mph in 9.5 seconds and is limited top speed of 84mph. The 23.8kWh battery should provide up to 115 miles of range and features 50kW fast charging as standard.

(Photo: Fiat)

Action models come with 15-inch steel wheels, keyless start, smartphone dock and Bluetooth, rear parking sensors and a configurable digital instrument display. They also feature Seaqaul yarn upholstery made from reclaimed waste plastic and first seen in the 500 Hybrid.

Above Action sits the £23,495 Passion, which gets an 87kW (118bhp) motor and larger 42kWh battery. The more powerful motor offers improved performance - 0-62mph takes 9 seconds and the top speed rises to 93mph - while the battery offers a class-leading range of 199 miles. The 85kW charging also allows the battery to go from zero to 80 per cent in half an hour.

Passion cars feature two-tone gloss 15-inch wheels, LED running lights, cruise control, climate control and Fiat’s new infotainment system with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and natural voice control, housed in a seven-inch touchscreen. Passion models are also available with a dark-themed interior with black seats and silver stitching or a brighter combination of blue seats and white dashboard.

The top-of-the-range Icon costs from £24,995 and uses the same drivetrain as the Passion but adds more technology and luxury. A 10.25-inch media screen and hands-free entry with wearable key are standard, as are 16-inch alloys and a body-coloured dashboard. Exclusive interior colours and materials, including a natural wood effect dashboard and vegan “leather” are optional extras.