The FIAT 500 Hybrid is already in production at Mirafiori: 5,000 units are expected before 2026

The FIAT 500 has been left by the wayside because the electric version has not been popular enough to withstand the onslaught of the market. But the brand has known how to turn the situation around and has transformed the model into a hybrid car, which has more advantages than the entry-level electric one, including price.

The Mirafiori plant has already begun producing the hybrid version of the FIAT 500, and expectations are quite high. It is expected to be ready for launch at the end of 2025, when around 5,000 units are expected to be available. From 2026 onwards, expected production ranges between 100,000 and 110,000 units per year.

The FIAT 500 Hybrid keeps the shape of the electric model, although it incorporates a front grille with an opening to let in the air that cools the combustion engine. This engine is a Firefly 1.0 block that offers a solid output of 70 CV. This has already been installed in the FIAT Panda Hybrid, and it is paired with an electric motor connected to the crankshaft via a belt.

This allows fuel to be saved more efficiently and achieves better economy during acceleration. The gearbox is manual, and the gear lever has been repositioned thanks to a redesign of the interior. The FIAT 500 Hybrid shares much of its design with the FIAT 500 electric, so its development has been quick and efficient.

In the tests carried out at the Miriafiori circuit, the hybrid model has delivered good results in acceleration and in its behaviour on the track. In these tests, the FIAT 500 proved itself to be a good city vehicle, which will deliver what it promises to its drivers.

The model will have a launch version called “Turin“, which features a bright yellow bodywork colour representing the city where it is manufactured. The FIAT 500 electric will return, although it will arrive later with a smaller and more affordable battery pack. Its price is expected to be around 20,000 euros. That said, work is already underway on the next generation of the model, which could arrive in both electric and hybrid versions.