Europe and Japan – and really most other places in the world – get cooler cars than we do. What gives, world? JDM cars (let’s not even go there). Australian Utes; they make me sad. And European sports cars. It’s all a little too much to bear at times. Well, now is another one of those times, because Fiat has a new 500 and we ain’t getting it. 

The Fiat 500 3+1

The Fiat 500 has been a European staple forever. So tiny. So cute. One major problem with the Fiat 500 has always been that it only has two doors, and as a 6’5 dude, climbing in the back of two doors is the worst. 

Well, as you may have guessed, the new electric Fiat 500 3+1 has little Toyota-FJ-Crusier-style half doors that do the suicide door thing. It is awesome. According to Jalopnik, Fiat says they made this massive change to the 500 without lengthening its wheelbase at all. So much of what makes these cars so fun and special is the teenie, tiny wheelbase. 

Another major coolness factor of tiny cars like this is, they are light. Light cars tend to sacrifice a lot for the sake of lightness. Somehow Fiat managed to add the second set of half doors and only added 66lbs to the overall weight. Good on you, Fiat. 

New Features for the Fiat 500

The newest 500, although tiny, has been given almost every feature you’d expect in a new car. The driver aids are surprisingly thorough with features like Drowsy Driver Detection, Autonomous Emergency Braking, Lane Keep Assist, and traffic sign recognition, which somehow can read the signs and gives the driver specific instructions based on them.  

The Fiat is also well-equipped in the connectivity realm. The infotainment is fully geared toward BlueTooth connectivity. The interior is equipped with a phone cradle, which can be vertical or horizontal, and an app that controls everything for the car, truing your phone into the control panel. 

There will also be a fancy launch edition with exclusive specs. The Fiat 500 3+1 “La Prima” will have full-LED headlights with “infinity” design, special two-tone, 17-inch wheels, some chrome bits, eco-leather seats, dash, and steering wheel (that’s a mouthful). 

little range for the little Fiat

The cute little city car is offered in two range packages; the base 111-mile range and the premium 200-mile range. Jalopnik says Fiat hasn’t released the full range of pricing yet, but the new Fiat 500 should start around $23,550 in Italy. 

111 miles is pretty low these days, but for big European cities, it makes enough sense. Fiat still hasn’t given any power numbers yet. I assume that it won’t have a tank slapping-ly huge horsepower number given the city car’s economical nature. 

Yet again, my European friends, enjoy another cool and cute little car we won’t likely see over here. Ciao.