2025 Fiat 500e

•Fiat 500e Giorgio Armani Collector's Edition embodies FIAT's commitment to an electric-powered future while showcasing Italian style, elegance and craftsmanship

•Available in two exclusive colors – green and Greige – with matching tone-on-tone eco-leather seats, Fiat 500e Giorgio Armani Collector's Edition features special Armani interior treatment and unique 17-inch wheels with GA logo

•'Ovation,' the new Fiat 500e Giorgio Armani Collector's Edition commercial, debuts with the tagline, 'Don't drive it, wear it'

At the 2024 Los Angeles Auto Show, in the city known as a global leader and trendsetter in electric vehicles and fashion, the FIAT brand revealed the new 2025 Fiat 500e Giorgio Armani Collector's Edition, the perfect balance of elegance, style and sustainability.

An embodiment of made-in-Italy design, the Fiat 500e Giorgio Armani Collector's Edition is a statement piece, reflecting Giorgio Armani's expertise and the refined artistry of FIAT's Centro Stile design studio in Turin, Italy.

'The Fiat 500e Giorgio Armani Collector's Edition represents the finest expression of Italian design, bringing together two legendary icons in the Fiat Cinquecento and Giorgio Armani,' said Aamir Ahmed, head of FIAT brand North America. 'Featuring Armani's unparalleled design influence, including two bespoke color combinations and high-end touches befitting an Armani fashion collection, not to mention the artistry instilled by the FIAT Centro Stile design team, the 500e Giorgio Armani Collector's Edition epitomizes the exceptionality of Italian design and craftsmanship.'

Produced at the FIAT Mirafiori plant in Turin, the Fiat 500e Giorgio Armani Collector's Edition is the result of an immersive collaboration between the Italian designer and the FIAT design team: a vehicle crafted with the same meticulous attention to detail and dedication to quality expected in a fashion collection.

The 2025 Fiat 500e Giorgio Armani Collector's Edition will be available in the first quarter of 2025. Pricing will be announced at a later date.

Special Series, Special Colors

For the exterior, designers focused on achieving a sleek, monochromatic look that seamlessly aligns with Armani's aesthetic. The most striking feature of the exterior design are the wheels, custom-made to display the GA logo on a grand scale, ensuring the car makes a bold impression from a distance. The design enhances aerodynamic efficiency through a subtle three-dimensional surface. The wheels feature a sophisticated, burnished two-tone anodized finish and precise lateral grooves, adding elegance to the overall appearance.

Two distinguishing and exclusive colors have been specially created, each underlying the car's elegant design. The first is a signature green, a unique and technically advanced color that mirrors Giorgio Armani's style and refined taste. Both timeless and modern, the second is ceramic Greige, a sophisticated and unmistakable shade created by Armani that merges gray and beige.

The interior, inspired by Armani/Casa and the fashion collection, exemplifies great craftsmanship. Chevron stitching and three-dimensional patterns on the central seat inserts evoke traditional tailoring techniques, while materials within the cabin blend cutting-edge and artisanal methods. Innovative touches include a laser-cut dashboard insert that offers an exquisite woodgrain appearance and delivers the soft touch of luxurious fabric. This is complemented by an intricate embroidery that showcases a dedication to fine, handmade expertise. The vehicle also features the Giorgio Armani logo on the front-seat headrests, with the designer's signature displayed on the dashboard, interior door panels and rear window, reinforcing the collaboration's distinctive character and attention to detail.

Premium Equipment

The 500e Giorgio Armani Collector's Edition boasts premium, high-end features, including standard full LED headlamps and taillamps, wireless charging pad, seven-inch TFT display, and 10.25-inch Uconnect 5 touchscreen with navigation and wireless CarPlay and Android Auto for seamless connectivity.

For audiophiles, the seven-speaker JBL audio system features four Virtual Venues hand-selected by Maestro Andrea Bocelli, offering listeners a virtual-reality audio experience that changes the acoustic characteristics of the car depending on the chosen location.

•My Music Room – An intimate musical experience as if the artist was playing right in front of you

•My Recording Studio – Pure acoustics and beautiful tones of a real recording space

•Giuseppe Verdi Opera House, Pisa – Feel the nature of music in a theatre setting, enjoying a live performance

•Open-air Arena – Hear the unmistakable acoustics and feel the energy of an open-air arena

Additionally, the 500e Giorgio Armani Collector's Edition is offered with the latest safety equipment, ADAS and Level 2 assisted driving technology, ensuring both advanced functionality and a safer driving experience. Safety features include seven air bags, Active Lane Management System, Blind-spot Monitoring, Rear Cross Path detection, Drowsy Driver Detection, Full-speed Forward Collision Warning-Plus, Intelligent Speed Assist, Lane Departure Warning-Plus and Traffic Sign Information. The Level 2 assisted driving technology combines adaptive cruise control and Lane Keep Assist to aid the driver on select roads. The Fiat 500e is the first all-electric car in its segment to offer Level 2, hands-on driver-assist technology.

Fiat 500e BEV Experience

The lightest passenger BEV in the market, the 500e Giorgio Armani Collector's Edition features a 42-kWh battery with a Level 2 (11 kW) charge time of 4.5 hours. BEV capability combined with quintessential design cues make it unmistakably FIAT, with style and sustainability at its core.

Under the hood, the 500e Giorgio Armani Collector's Edition is driven by an electric motor with an output of 117 horsepower and 162 lb.-ft. of torque, delivering spirited performance while managing range – 0-30 mph in under three seconds and a combined range of up to 149 miles.

The Fiat 500e Giorgio Armani Collector's Edition is exceptionally intuitive with no need for instructions, making it easy and fun to drive. Welcoming passengers with a digital melody, it sets the tone for an immersive Italian experience. In addition, the acoustic vehicle alert system (AVAS) 'sings' to pedestrians with a song titled, 'The Sound of 500,' authored by Flavio Ibba-Marco Gualdi. The exclusive melody provides a taste of Italy during the first moments of every drive.

Fast Charging

The 500e Giorgio Armani Collector's Edition handily tackles the common concern of charge time using the equipped 85-kW fast charger system in which five minutes of charge time translates to a range of up to 31 miles, more than what's needed for average daily use. Estimated charge time from 0-80% is approximately 35 minutes with an 85-kW DC fast charge; estimated time from 0-100% is 4.5 hours with a Level 2 (11-kW) charging station.

New 'Ovation' Campaign

This one-of-a-kind collaboration between FIAT and Giorgio Armani is beautifully captured in the captivating Ovation spot. The visual narrative begins with a cover of the iconic song 'Città Vuota' as the camera follows the new Fiat 500e Giorgio Armani Edition as it travels through the deserted streets of Milan at night, passing by iconic locations such as the Armani Hotel, the fashion avenues and the Armani boutique.

During the journey, something unexpected happens: the iconic Via Montenapoleone turns into a catwalk. An enthusiastic public awaits the arrival of the Fiat 500e Giorgio Armani Collector's Edition and, when the car finally makes its entrance, the atmosphere is one of emotion and refinement. The entire city seems to celebrate the arrival of this extraordinary model, while the evocative claim 'Don't drive it, wear it' appears.

The Armani Group

Established in 1975 by Giorgio Armani, chairman and CEO, the Armani Group is one of the leading fashion and luxury goods companies in the world. With more than 9,000 employees and nine production plants, the Group designs, manufactures, distributes, and directly retails fashion and lifestyle products, including apparel, accessories, eyewear, watches, jewelry, cosmetics, fragrances, furniture and home décor, and operates in the areas of food and beverage and hotels.

FIAT Brand

FIAT brand celebrates 125 years as an automaker and some things haven't changed. Iconic Italian design and refinement, plus a fun-to-drive factor, come standard with every Fiat.

In early 2024, FIAT brand will launch the Fiat 500e, the first Stellantis retail battery-electric vehicle offering in North America and the best-selling city EV in Europe.

FIAT is part of the portfolio of brands offered by leading global automaker and mobility provider Stellantis. For more information regarding Stellantis (NYSE: STLA), please visit www.stellantis.com

by Fiat

With more than four million produced during its twenty-year production run, the tiny Fiat 500 was something to behold. Easy to spot by its rounded egg-like body, the Fiat 500 filled a need for utilitarian transportation for the Italian masses when it was introduced in 1957. The post-war European market needed an affordable option, and the rear-engined Fiat 500 was just the solution. The rear-engine design was taken from the Volkswagen Beetle and proved popular enough to be adopted by several other carmakers.

The designer behind the 500 was Dante Giacosa, who was famed for being one of the greatest designers in Fiat's history who not only dealt with the car design but also had a big hand in the engineering. A cheap and practical town car, the Nuova (new) 500 was debuted in July 1957 and is considered one of the first city cars and lasted until 1960. Giacosa was extremely motivated to construct a car that packed more into a smaller space and he did this by making the engine mount at the rear side. It featured a smaller two-cylinder engine than all newer models and produced just 13 bhp. The Nuova featured a fabric roof that folded entirely back to the rear of the car, similar to the Citroën 2CV. It was one of three models that came with 'suicide doors'. A stylish Sport version of the Nuova came with a special red stripe and more power in the engine.

With kart-like handling, the four-seat 500 was powered by an air-cooled 479cc flat twin, which eventually was boosted to 499cc that gave 18 bhp. With a top speed of 55mph, the 500 was an incredibly popular and practical vehicle of choice throughout Europe. Weighing at only 1,100 pounds, the 500 had a wheelbase of 72.4 inches, a length of 116.9 inches, and a height of 52.0 inches. The 500 had a Cx (aerodynamic resistance coefficient) of 0,38, which was quite impressive for the era.

The 'D' replaced the original Nuova in 1960. Similar in appearances to the car it replaced, two differences set the models apart: the engine size and the roof. The D came with an uprated 499 cc engine that produced 17 hp as standard and continued to be used until the end of the L in 1973. The roof for the D didn't fold back as far as the Nuova, but it that earlier roof was available as the 'Transformable'. The D also came with 'suicide doors'. Torino Motors assembled the 500D in New Zealand and it was locally dubbed the 'Fiat Bambina'.

The 500 was offered as the 'Giardiniera' station wagon variant in addition to the two-door coupe in 1960 until 1975. The wagon had the standard engine laid on its side, an additional 10 cm wheelbase that made room for a useable rear seat, larger brakes, and a full-length sunroof. Called the K or Giardiniera, the estate version of the Fiat 500 is the longest-running model. To create a flat loading surface, the engine was laid under the floor of the trunk. The roof stretches all the way to the rear and didn't stop at the driver and front passenger like other models of the time. The K came with 'suicide doors', and unlike other models, it continued to carry these doors into the 1970s. Production moved to Desio in 1966 and the Giardiniera was constructed by Fiat subsidiary Autobianchi. Production of the Giardiniera tallied at 327,000 which later examples featuring Autobianchi rather than Fiat badging.

The Fiat 500 F or Berlina was produced from 1965 until 1973 and spans two periods of 500 production, the D and the L. Because of the two production periods, the F model is very easily confused and misidentified. The F sported the same badging as the D from 1965 until 1969, but the two models can be easily told apart by the positioning of their door hinges. The F produced from June 1965 finally featured front-hinged doors while the D has 'suicide doors'. From '69 until '72 the F was sold next to the Lusso models as the less expensive 'base model' version. There wasn't much mechanically different from the F and L, but the main differences lay in the bumpers and the interior. The L had an extra chrome nudge bar, and the inside of the L featured a fresher updated look while the F interior didn't change from the original 1957 design.

Introduced in 1968 was the L or Lusso 500 model. It featured a modern interior that included a revamped dashboard and paid special attention to comfort and style for the passenger. The 500 L was produced until 1972.

The final version of the 500 was the R or Rinnovata version. The R model sported a larger 594 cc engine that was designed by Abarth with a more practical power rating of 23 bhp and a full synchromesh gearbox. This final model was much more comfortable than the previous version yet was more simply equipped and trimmed than before. The fuel gauge was removed and only the low fuel indicator was left.

Several custom models of the 500 were produced, including the 'Jolly' version by Carrozzeria Ghia with inspiration taken from the very exclusive Fiat 600 Jolly. The Jolly came with wicker seats, a chopped-roof, no doors, and usually seen with a canopy roof.

Showing that they had a lot of muscle behind their compact frame, seven Fiat 500s contested the first and only Liège-Brescia-Liège Rally in July of 1958. They were beaten by Messerschmitt TG500 and the Berkeley SE492s, but the little Italian cars show their rugged side and proved they were capable of incredible durability. Reputed to be the smallest car to complete a world circumnavigation, a 1969 Fiat 500 traveled 32,000 road kilometers in less than 100 days. In 2005, a 1973 500 took a 16,000 km trip traveling through Russia for a 100-day journey. Its progress was documented by newspaper and television stations worldwide and eventually a book entitled La bizzarra impresa ('The bizarre exploit') was published about the trip. In 2007 this same car became the first Fiat 500 to reach the Sahara dunes was taken around the Mediterranean Sea for over 10,000 kilometers.

The Fiat 500 was produced from 1957 until 1975 and was replaced with the Fiat 126. The 500 R was sold alongside the 126 for two years before the 500 was retired. More than 3.6 million Fiat 500 cars were sold during its lifetime and at the end, the production had been outsourced to a Polish company called FSM. The 126 never reached the same popularity as its predecessor in Italy. In March of 2007, Fiat debuted the all-new 500 model, based on the '04 Fiat Trepiuno concept. Its arrival coincided with fifty years since the original 500. The new 500 is also dubbed the bambino and competes with the Mini Cooper and the Volkswagen Beetle.

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiat_500

http://www.vihti500.info/history-of-fiat500.php

http://www.fiat500america.com/fiat500-history/

by Jessican Donaldson