NUOVA FIAT 500 IBRIDA | Ritorna a BENZINA

The new Fiat 500 Hybrid marks a return to its roots: after being presented as a 100% electric city car, Fiat is changing course and finally introducing a gasoline engine. This choice smacks of realism rather than revolution, because the electric 500—as modern and well-made as it may be—has never truly made a splash on the market. Thus, the platform, originally designed for combustion engines and then converted to electric, returns to exactly what it was intended to be from the beginning. ARTICLE ON TECHDRIVE.IT https://www.techdrive.it/prova-auto/n... Aesthetically, it remains one of the most successful city cars: compact, 3.63 meters long, with a fresh and much more modern design than the old combustion engine 500. The front end features an LED signature, body-colored details, and the charming look that sets it apart. The interior, identical to the electric version, offers updated infotainment, digital instrumentation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, and quality consistent with the A-segment. There's even a manual transmission, a feature virtually absent from electric cars. The trunk remains 185 liters, expandable to 550 by folding the seats: perfect for everyday use. The 3-door, 3+1, and convertible variants will all also come with this engine. The real innovation is under the hood: the 65 hp 1.0-liter FireFly 3-cylinder engine with 12V "hybrid" capability, primarily useful for homologation purposes. A simple, reliable unit, much more convincing than the 1.2 PureTech that many feared. Performance? Decent: 0-100 km/h in 16.3 seconds and a top speed of 155 km/h. It's a city car, it doesn't have to perform miracles. In the city, it moves well, smoothly and lightly; On the highway, it handles itself without excitement or drama. It's easy to drive, intuitive, and designed for those looking for a small, lightweight, and undemanding vehicle. The gearbox is smooth and shifts smoothly. It's a shame about the suspension, which is rather stiff: on potholes and bumps, you can feel it's a direct derivative of the electric version, which is heavier and structurally different. The ADAS, however, are good, now finally complete: automatic braking, lane keeping, and all the features required today. Fuel consumption remains one of its strong points: 5-6 l/100 km in most situations, thanks to the engine's quiet nature and moderate performance. A simple, honest car, perfect for those looking for a city car without too many demands and who don't want to go electric. Prices: around €16,000 with promotion and scrappage, just over €19,000 without discounts. The question now is: does it make sense to go back to gasoline? For many, yes. The 500 remains one of the most refined, iconic, and beautiful city cars. Now it also has an engine affordable for those who don't want to change their habits. -- Our Insta360 Ace Pro2 ACTION CAM: https://bit.ly/InstaTechDrive