Fiat is slowly adding more variants to its electric 500e range, and the latest addition to the range is a California-themed model called “Inspired by Los Angeles,” which stands out with several trim-specific styling elements, including an exclusive paint colour, and a higher price tag.
The bluish-grey (or is it greyish-blue?) colour is called Marine Layer Mist, and was chosen for a special reason: Fiat explains that the shade is named after “the coastal marine layer that results from the interaction of air masses of different temperatures and densities; a natural phenomenon that occurs in May and June and gives the City of Angels a magical and complex atmosphere.” Grey mirror caps add contrast.
The interior features beige cloth upholstery, a soft-touch steering wheel and a dashboard insert in Marine Layer Mist. Fiat has also included a seven-speaker sound system with amplifier and subwoofer, which includes four virtual venues (sound modes) selected by Italian singer Andrea Bocelli.
Fiat hasn’t made any changes to the drivetrain: The 500e’s power comes from a single electric motor that draws power from a 42-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack and delivers 117 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque to the front wheels, for a range of up to 149 miles.
Level 2 driving tech comes as standard, utilizing adaptive cruise control and a lane-keeping system to assist the driver on certain roads, and while the 500e isn’t fully autonomous or hands-free, Fiat points out that the hatchback is the only EV in its segment to offer Level 2 functionality.
With a starting price of $37,595 including a $1,595 delivery charge, the 500e has strayed far from its affordable people’s car roots. For reference, the 500e RED, announced in December 2023, starts at $34,095, while the previous-generation model, which was released in 2007 and is sold new in some European markets (at least until late 2024), costs €17,700 in Italy (about $19,200 at current exchange rates).
Built in Turin, Italy, the 500e Inspired by Los Angeles is on sale now, with deliveries scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2024. Regardless of trim level, every 500e comes with charging credits that are valid at a Level 2 home charger or the Free2move charging network. In the future, the 500 series will be expanded with the addition of a hybrid model, but it is unclear whether this model will be sold in the U.S.