The Fiat 500 with gasoline engine soon available for sale

This page is translated from the original post "La Fiat 500 à moteur essence bientôt en vente" in French.

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Fiat 500 internal combustion

Fiat has just started production of a thermal version of its new 500, a model originally designed to be 100% electric.

In response to disappointing sales of the 500 electric, the Italian manufacturer made a surprising decision: reintroduce an internal combustion engine paired with a manual gearbox.

The new Fiat 500e, launched five years ago, was developed as a pure electric vehicle, with a modern and bold approach. However, its high price—over €35,000—has been a major obstacle for consumers. This is more than double the cost of the previous thermal version, which had been produced continuously from 2008 until last year.

In response to this commercial failure, Fiat is therefore preparing to launch the “Hybrid” 500, with large-scale production set to begin in November 2025. The goal is ambitious: to reach at least 100,000 annual sales. Despite its name, it seems unlikely that this version will be a true hybrid. Instead, it would be a mild-hybrid model, probably using a non-turbo 1-liter three-cylinder engine producing 70 horsepower—a choice that could disappoint in terms of performance.

A step backwards that will set an example

The addition of a thermal engine to a vehicle designed as an electric one is thought-provoking. This decision raises questions about manufacturers’ commitments to electrification, especially in a context where the European Union is easing some environmental requirements. Fiat is not the only brand revising its strategies: others face similar obstacles, oscillating between economic realism and promises of a sustainable future.

The interior of the hybrid model appears minimally modified, aside from the addition of a clutch pedal and a six-speed gearbox. Externally, only subtle changes, such as a redesigned grille to cool the thermal engine, distinguish this version from previous models.

So, is this strategy a necessary step or a step backwards? If the goal is to attract price-sensitive customers, this regression could be successful in the short term. But it might also tarnish Fiat’s image as a pioneer of the electric transition. Consumers remain divided: between nostalgia for combustion engines and aspirations for greener mobility, which path will they choose?

READ ALSO: A growingly complicated situation for the Fiat 500e

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