The reborn combustion 500 only has 64 hp to haul it along, down 5 hp on the old hybrid
Fiat revealed images of its new 500 Hybrid in the summer, but only now has it got around to dishing out the mechanical details, and we think we know why. The numbers show that it’s not only the exterior design that has its roots in the last century – so does the performance.
You might recall that Fiat opted to kill the last combustion 500 in Europe in 2024 rather than spend the money upgrading it to meet new EU regulations.
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But the electric 500e that the Italian brand imagined would take up the strain proved to be a sales bomb and the automaker was forced to reverse-engineer the EV to fit a hybrid powertrain.
How Slow Is It?
Under the hood is a mild-hybrid 1.0-liter triple, essentially the same powertrain fitted to the deceased model, but some horses appear to have galloped away in the transition.
Instead of 69 hp (70 PS), the engine now makes 64 hp (65 PS), along with 68 lb-ft (92 Nm) of torque, which is sent to the front wheels through a six-speed manual transmission.
An Abarth, it certainly isn’t. Zero to 62 mph (100 km/h) takes 16.2 seconds in tin-top hatchback form, while the 44 lb (22 kg) heavier Cabrio needs 17.3 seconds.
Those numbers look bad on their own, but they’re even less appealing when you consider Fiat quoted 13.8 seconds for the last hybrid. The top speed also falls from 104 mph (167 km/h) to as low as 93 mph (150 km/h) on some models.
Trim Levels and Body Styles
On the plus side, the new 500 looks infinitely more sophisticated because it benefits from the smoother body and higher-quality interior of the electric 500e – which is up to twice as fast to 62 mph, in case you were wondering.
We’ve mentioned the distinction between hatch and Cabrio versions, but the fixed roof car actually comes in two versions: a conventional two-door hatch or a 3+1 model with a rear door on the passenger side.
We’re still waiting for Fiat to drop the prices and list of standard equipment, but we know the three-trim lineup starts with a basic Pop grade, moves up to mid-range Icon, featuring more onboard technology, and tops out with the style and luxury-focused La Prima.
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Chris is a seasoned automotive journalist with over two decades of experience. He has worked… Read full bio

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