Driving Fiat’s relatively new 500e La Prima – the electric version of Fiats two
door city hatch – hugely popular in Europe but here dampened by a $58,000
driveaway price tag. However, the cars quaintness and drive experience will set
the hearts racing of Italian car fanciers – slightly larger than the petrol Fiat 500 it’s
an absolute joy to drive – despite four seats best as a two-seater with comfortable
soft eco-leather seats and a great driving position apart from a lack of room for
your left foot. With a 42kWh lithium-ion battery its electric motor produces 87kW
of power, 220Nm of torque and with three drive modes this small electric city car
is athletic and fun to drive despite tipping the scales at 1300 kilos – with a well
damped suspension that provides a surprising ride quality for such a short
wheelbase. But despite all of the Fiat 500e’s appealing qualities the exalted price
tag is perhaps its biggest downer and only dedicated and eco-friendly Italian car
fanciers will be prepared to pay twice the price of an equivalent petrol version.
This aside, I can’t remember a more appealing week of driving, influenced a little
perhaps by the Italian Jannick Sinner’s wonderful win in the Australia Open.

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