Launched just over a year ago, the venerated new Fiat 500 has received its 19th award from 6 countries. This time around, it is compliments of Belgium’s “Best Car 2021” reigning supreme in the small electric car category.
Image: Fiat South Africa
The automotive outlet Le Moniteur Automobile of the European country had readers vote on their favourite models with the new Fiat 500 winning the small electric car category. The reader preference award had its voters praising the iconic model for its modernised design language as well as the body styles on offer which include hatchback, cabrio and 3+1.
The electrified city slicker has a real world range of 235 km from its 42 kWh battery. An admirable 0-100 km/h sprint time of 9 seconds can be achieved before the compact tops out at 150 km/h. 87 kW and 220 N.m are available while the model continues the front-wheel driven lineage of more recent models of the same nomenclature. For anything spicier, buyers can opt for an electrified Abarth which is still in development.
The latest addition to the models already conclusive portfolio of awards will now be placed alongside the French Automobile Awards 2020 “Green Car”, Driving Electric’s “Car of the Year and Best Small Electric Car”, “Best Design 2020” award from Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport magazine and “Best Design Concept” at the prominent international Red Dot Design Awards.
The amount of received awards are boding well for the Mirafiori built newcomer which is already enjoying great success in the European market with the New 500 being the most sold car in the city car segment on the continent with a 24% market share. With its trajectory and recent launch in Israel and Brazil too, it may even become the first global “all-in”, all-electric, city car.
