The new Fiat 500 is now all electric

The new Fiat 500, the first fully electric car from the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, has made its global debut.

The new generation of the iconic city car has a range of up to 320km (based on the Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure) and receives 85kW fast charging as standard.

Production of the new 500 returns to its birthplace of Turin, Italy where the first model was first created 63 years ago.

The new 500 takes inspiration from the generations before it.

The first generation of 500 offered freedom and mobility, establishing itself as an icon. Revived in 2007, the second generation introduced style and charm to the iconic city car that went on to conquer the world. The third generation is more sustainable, connected and autonomous, adhering to increasingly stringent regulations and using its popularity to inspire change.

When designing the new 500, engineers started with a blank sheet of paper. They worked on every aspect of the car with the utmost attention to detail and created solutions for best possible range, charging and driving experience.

Range and charging times are two key considerations for customers. The lithium-ion batteries have a capacity of 42kWh. When charging from an 85kW fast charge system, it will take the car only five minutes to build up a sufficient energy reserve to travel 48km.

Using a fast charger can also power the battery to 80% capacity in just 35 minutes. The Type 2 socket has the ability to accept both alternating current and direct current charging.

Charging from a 7.4kW wallbox meanwhile will provide a full charge at home in just over six hours. The new 500 also comes with a cable for charging at up to 11kW from a public charge point.

The electric motor has an output of 117bhp, providing a maximum speed of 150km/h and acceleration from zero to 100km/h is completed in nine seconds.

The Fiat 500 is also the first car in its segment to offer Level 2 autonomous driving, bringing all the associated benefits to urban mobility.

In terms of style, the new 500 brings together the considerable legacy of the two previous generations. Integrating the classic and cool style of the 500 rooted in 63 years of history, the new 500 is still an iconic city car with the same stylistic proportions and clean design.

A 500 logo now appears at the centre of the front badge for the first time, in the place of the Fiat logo, while the 500 logo at the rear is now embellished by a light blue border, with a play of design and colour transforming the final zero into a letter 'e'.

The dividing line of the first generation that separated the bonnet from the circular head lights have been redesigned into the current model, now dividing the modular elliptical head light. The light clusters are still round and iconic but now use LED technology while the door handles sit completely flush with the bodywork.

Inside, the 500 is completely new, with clear references to the first generation. Fiat has furnished the interior with a wide dashboard and the modular storage solutions between the two front seats where the gear lever was originally located.

There is more leg and shoulder space for occupants, while the flat floor houses the lithium batteries without compromising the luggage compartment capacity, which remains unchanged.

The result is a well thought out and cleaner interior, with fewer buttons and crisp, harmonious lines. As per the Fiat 500 hybrid, some trim levels will also receive seats made using 'Seaqual' yarn with plastic recovered from the sea, while others make considerable use of eco-leather.